-
Biomedicines Sep 2023Psychotic disorders are a heterogenous class of mental illness, with an intricate pathophysiology, involving genetics and environmental factors, and their interaction.... (Review)
Review
Psychotic disorders are a heterogenous class of mental illness, with an intricate pathophysiology, involving genetics and environmental factors, and their interaction. The identification of accessible biomarkers in bodily systems such as blood may lead to more accurate diagnosis, and more effective treatments targeting dysfunctional pathways, and could assist in monitoring the disease evolution. This systematic review aims to highlight the dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in the peripheral blood of patients with psychotic disorders. Using the PRISMA protocol, PubMed and Science Direct databases were investigated and 22 articles were included. Fifty-five different miRNAs were found differentially expressed in the blood of psychotic patients compared to controls. Seventeen miRNAs (miR-34a, miR-181b, miR-432, miR-30e, miR-21, miR-137, miR-134, miR-7, miR-92a, miR-1273d, miR-1303, miR-3064-5p, miR-3131, miR-3687, miR-4428, miR-4725-3p, and miR-5096) were dysregulated with the same trend (up- or down-regulation) in at least two studies. Of note, miR-34a and miR-181b were up-regulated in the blood of psychotic patients in seven and six studies, respectively. Moreover, the level of miR-181b in plasma was found to be positively correlated with the amelioration of negative symptoms. The panel of miRNAs identified in this review could be validated in future studies in large and well-characterized cohorts of psychotic patients.
PubMed: 37760977
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092536 -
Cureus Oct 2023Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas with high prevalence and varying degrees of severity that can be potentially life-threatening. Much... (Review)
Review
Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas with high prevalence and varying degrees of severity that can be potentially life-threatening. Much is still unknown about which mechanisms determine the course and severity of acute pancreatitis. The primary objective of this review is to identify the potential association between circulating lymphocytes and the severity of acute pancreatitis. A systematic search was performed in Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrails.gov. The authors independently did the selection process as well as data extraction that was recorded into a flow diagram following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). Our initial search identified 27,783 studies which were narrowed down to 13 by applying strict inclusion and exclusion algorithms. The consistent findings across the studies indicated that peripheral blood lymphocytes are related to acute pancreatitis severity.
PubMed: 38022062
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47532 -
BMC Psychiatry Nov 2023Mitochondrial dysfunction leading to disturbances in energy metabolism has emerged as one of the risk factors in the pathogenesis of depression. Numerous studies have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Mitochondrial dysfunction leading to disturbances in energy metabolism has emerged as one of the risk factors in the pathogenesis of depression. Numerous studies have identified alterations in the content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of individuals with depression. Researchers have sought to establish a clear association between mtDNA and depression. Consequently, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the existing evidence regarding the impact of mtDNA on depression.
METHODS
This study conducted a thorough search of the following databases up to March 13, 2023: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, Wanfang Database, SINOMED, the China Science and Technology Journal Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan (version 5.4) and Stata (version 16.0) software. In addition, publication bias was assessed with funnel plots, Begg's test and Egger's test.
RESULTS
Our analysis included data from 10 articles, including 12 studies for further examination. A total of 1400 participants were included in this study, comprising 709 (including 300 males and 409 females) patients with depression and 691 (including 303 males and 388 females) healthy controls. The average age of depressed patients was (42.98 ± 2.55) years, and the average age of healthy people was (41.71 ± 2.6) years. The scales used to assess outcomes are Hamilton-rating scale for Depression(4 articles), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale(3 articles), and Mini-Internatioal Neuropsychiatric Interview (1 articles). The meta-analysis revealed significantly higher levels of mtDNA in circulating blood samples and skin fibroblasts of individuals with depression in comparison to healthy controls [standardized mean difference(SMD) = 0.42, 95% confidence intervals(CI): 0.16, 0.67].
CONCLUSIONS
Our study concludes that there is a significant (p < 0.05) increase in mtDNA levels in serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid in individuals with depression. These findings suggest that mtDNA could serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosing depression.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO CRD42023414285.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Depression; DNA, Mitochondrial; Risk Factors; Health Status; Mitochondria
PubMed: 37993802
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05358-8 -
Open Access Emergency Medicine : OAEM 2023Heatstroke (HS) is a severe form of heat-related illness (HRI) associated with high morbidity and mortality, representing a condition that includes long-term multiorgan...
INTRODUCTION
Heatstroke (HS) is a severe form of heat-related illness (HRI) associated with high morbidity and mortality, representing a condition that includes long-term multiorgan dysfunction and susceptibility to further heat illness.
METHODS
In a systematic review searching Medline PubMed from the studies conducted between 2009 and 2020, 16 papers were identified.
RESULTS
A hallmark symptom of heat stroke is CNS dysfunction (a hallmark sign of HS) which manifests as mental status changes, including agitation, delirium, epilepsy, or coma at the time of the collapse. Acute kidney injury (AKI), gut ischemia, blood clots in the stomach and small intestine, cytoplasmic protein clumps in the spleen, and injury of skeletal muscle (rhabdomyolysis) are all characteristics of peripheral tissue damage. Severe heat stroke tends to be complicated by rhabdomyolysis, especially in patients with exertional heat stroke. Rhabdomyolysis may lead to systemic effects, including the local occurrence of compartment syndrome, hyperkalemic cardiac arrest, and/or lethal disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Untreated heat stroke might exacerbate psychosis, lactic acidosis, consumptive coagulopathy, hematuria, pulmonary edema, renal failure, and other metabolic abnormalities. Core body temperature and level of consciousness are the most significant indicators to diagnose the severity of heat stroke and prevent unfavorable consequences. Heatstroke is a life-threatening illness if not promptly recognized and effectively treated.
DISCUSSION
This review highlighted that core body temperature and white blood cell count are significant contributing factors affecting heat stroke outcomes. Other factors contributing to the poor outcome include old age, low GCS, and prolonged hospital stay. The prevalence of both classic and exertional heatstroke can be reduced by certain simple preventive measures, such as avoiding strenuous activity in hot environments and reducing exposure to heat stress.
PubMed: 37771523
DOI: 10.2147/OAEM.S419028 -
Journal of Neurology Nov 2023To systematically review the published cases of bilateral facial palsy (BFP) to gather evidence on the clinical assessment and management of this pathology. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the published cases of bilateral facial palsy (BFP) to gather evidence on the clinical assessment and management of this pathology.
METHODS
Following PRISMA statement recommendations, 338 abstracts were screened independently by two authors. Inclusion criteria were research articles of human patients affected by BFP, either central or peripheral; English, Italian, French or Spanish language; availability of the abstract, while exclusion criteria were topics unrelated to FP, and mention of unilateral or congenital FP. Only full-text articles reporting the diagnostic work-up, the management, and the prognosis of the BFP considered for further specific data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 143 articles were included, resulting a total of 326 patients with a mean age of 36 years. The most common type of the paralysis was peripheral (91.7%), and the autoimmune disease was the most frequent aetiology (31.3%). The mean time of onset after first symptoms was 12 days and most patients presented with a grade higher than III. Associated symptoms in idiopathic BFP were mostly non-specific. The most frequently positive laboratory exams were cerebrospinal fluid analysis, autoimmune screening and peripheral blood smear, and the most performed imaging was MRI. Most patients (74%) underwent exclusive medical treatment, while a minority were selected for a surgical or combined approach. Finally, in more than half of cases a complete bilateral recovery (60.3%) was achieved.
CONCLUSIONS
BFP is a disabling condition. If a correct diagnosis is formulated, possibilities to recover are elevated and directly correlated to the administration of an adequate treatment.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Facial Paralysis; Facial Nerve Diseases; Causality; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37523065
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11897-7 -
Cancer Medicine Dec 2023The American College of Sports Medicine provided guidelines for exercise prescriptions in cancer survivors for specific cancer- and treatment-related health outcomes.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The American College of Sports Medicine provided guidelines for exercise prescriptions in cancer survivors for specific cancer- and treatment-related health outcomes. However, there was insufficient evidence to generate exercise prescriptions for 10 health outcomes of cancer treatment. We sought to update the state of evidence.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of these 10 understudied health outcomes (bone health, sleep, cardiovascular function, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), cognitive function, falls and balance, nausea, pain, sexual function, and treatment tolerance) and provided an update of evidence.
RESULTS
While the evidence base for each outcome has increased, there remains insufficient evidence to generate exercise prescriptions. Common limitations observed across outcomes included: variability in type and quality of outcome measurement tools, variability in definitions of the health outcomes, a lack of phase III trials, and a majority of trials investigating breast or prostate cancer survivors only.
CONCLUSION
We identified progress in the field of exercise oncology for several understudied cancer- and treatment-related health outcomes. However, we were not able to generate exercise prescriptions due to continued insufficient evidence base. More work is needed to prescribe exercise as medicine for these understudied health outcomes, and our review highlights several strategies to aid in research acceleration within these areas of exercise oncology.
Topics: Male; Humans; Cancer Survivors; Exercise; Neoplasms; Exercise Therapy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38018376
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6753 -
Brain Sciences Sep 2023The pathogenesis associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is particularly complicated, and early diagnosis and course monitoring of the disease are not ideal based on... (Review)
Review
The pathogenesis associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is particularly complicated, and early diagnosis and course monitoring of the disease are not ideal based on the available core biomarkers. As a biomarker closely related to neuroinflammation, YKL-40 provides a potential scalable approach in AD, but its association remains controversial and inconclusive with AD. We conducted this study to assess the utility of YKL-40 levels in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients and healthy controls (HCs) by meta-analysis. We systematically searched and screened relevant trials for comparing YKL-40 levels between AD patients and HCs in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science, with a search deadline of 14 March 2023 for each database. A total of 17 eligible and relevant studies involving 1811 subjects, including 949 AD patients and 862 HCs, were included. The results showed that YKL-40 levels in the peripheral blood of AD patients and HCs did not possess significant differences. Subgroup analysis showed YKL-40 significantly differed in plasma (SMD = 0.527, 95%CI: [0.302, 0.752]; = 0.000), but did not in serum. In the case of comparison with HCs, YKL-40 was significantly higher in CSF of AD patients (SMD = 0.893, 95%CI: [0.665, 1.121]; = 0.000). Besides that, when we performed a combined analysis of total YKL-40 in both peripheral blood and CSF, overall YKL-40 concentrations were also significantly increased among AD patients (SMD = 0.608, 95%CI: [0.272, 0.943]; = 0.000). YKL-40 provides support and rationale for the neuroinflammatory pathogenesis of AD. The significance of CSF levels of YKL-40 for early screening of AD is definite. Plasma levels of YKL-40 also appear to assist in discriminating AD patients from HCs, which facilitates early screening and monitoring of the natural course of AD.
PubMed: 37891733
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101364 -
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy Oct 2023Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered an early stage of dementia, with estimated rates of progression to dementia up to 80-90% after approximately 6 years... (Review)
Review
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered an early stage of dementia, with estimated rates of progression to dementia up to 80-90% after approximately 6 years from the initial diagnosis. Diagnosis of cognitive impairment in dementia is typically based on clinical evaluation, neuropsychological assessments, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and neuroimaging. The main goal of diagnosing MCI is to determine its cause, particularly whether it is due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, only a limited percentage of the population has access to etiological confirmation, which has led to the emergence of peripheral fluid biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for dementias, including MCI due to AD. Recent advances in biofluid assays have enabled the use of sophisticated statistical models and multimodal machine learning (ML) algorithms for the diagnosis of MCI based on fluid biomarkers from CSF, peripheral blood, and saliva, among others. This approach has shown promise for identifying specific causes of MCI, including AD. After a PRISMA analysis, 29 articles revealed a trend towards using multimodal algorithms that incorporate additional biomarkers such as neuroimaging, neuropsychological tests, and genetic information. Particularly, neuroimaging is commonly used in conjunction with fluid biomarkers for both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Our systematic review suggests that cost-effective longitudinal multimodal monitoring data, representative of diverse cultural populations and utilizing white-box ML algorithms, could be a valuable contribution to the development of diagnostic models for AD due to MCI. Clinical assessment and biomarkers, together with ML techniques, could prove pivotal in improving diagnostic tools for MCI due to AD.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Progression; Cognitive Dysfunction; Biomarkers; Machine Learning; Amyloid beta-Peptides; tau Proteins
PubMed: 37838690
DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01304-8 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2023Peripheral blood monocyte counts have been associated with poor outcomes in interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, studies are limited by variable biomarker... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Peripheral blood monocyte counts have been associated with poor outcomes in interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, studies are limited by variable biomarker thresholds, analytic approaches and heterogenous populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis characterised the relationship between monocytes and clinical outcomes in ILD.
METHODS
Electronic database searches were performed. Two reviewers screened abstracts and extracted data. Pooled estimates (hazard ratios (HRs)) of monocyte count thresholds were calculated for their association with mortality using ≥0.6×10 and >0.9×10 cells·L for unadjusted models and ≥0.95×10 cells·L for adjusted models, using random effects, with heterogeneity and bias assessed. Disease progression associated with monocytes >0.9×10cells·L was also calculated.
RESULTS
Of 3279 abstracts, 13 were included in the systematic review and eight in the meta-analysis. The pooled unadjusted HR for mortality for monocyte counts ≥0.6×10 cells·L was 1.71 (95% CI 1.34-2.19, p<0.001, I=0%) and for monocyte counts >0.90×10 cells·L it was 2.44 (95% CI 1.53-3.87, p=0.0002, I=52%). The pooled adjusted HR for mortality for monocyte counts ≥0.95×10 cells·L was 1.93 (95% CI 1.24-3.01, p=0.0038 I=69%). The pooled HR for disease progression associated with increased monocyte counts was 1.83 (95% CI 1.40-2.39, p<0.0001, I=28%).
CONCLUSIONS
Peripheral blood monocyte counts were associated with an increased risk of mortality and disease progression in patients with ILD.
Topics: Humans; Monocytes; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Patients; Disease Progression
PubMed: 37673424
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0072-2023 -
Mutation Research. Genetic Toxicology... Oct 2023Can human peripheral blood cells be used as a surrogate for bone marrow cells, in evaluating the genotoxic effects of stressors? We searched the Pubmed/Medline and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Can human peripheral blood cells be used as a surrogate for bone marrow cells, in evaluating the genotoxic effects of stressors? We searched the Pubmed/Medline and PubChem databases to identify publications relevant to this question. Micronucleus formation was the genotoxicity endpoint. Three publications comparing exposed vs. non-exposed individuals are included in this analysis; the exposures were to ethylene oxide or ionising radiation (atomic bomb, thorotrast, or radioiodine therapy). Information was extracted on the types of exposure, the numbers of participants, and the micronucleus frequencies. Relative differences (odds ratios) and absolute differences (risk differences) in the numbers of micronuclei between exposed and non-exposed persons were calculated separately for individual cell types (peripheral blood and bone marrow). Random effects meta-analyses for the relative differences in cell abnormalities were performed. The results showed very small differences in the frequencies of micronuclei between exposed and non-exposed individuals, as measured in either peripheral blood or bone marrow cell populations, on both absolute and relative scales. No definite conclusion concerning the relative sensitivities of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells can be made, based on these publications.
Topics: Humans; Bone Marrow; Iodine Radioisotopes; Micronucleus Tests; Blood Cells; Bone Marrow Cells; DNA Damage; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective
PubMed: 37770146
DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2023.503689