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BMC Oral Health Jul 2023The current literature suggests the significant role of foam cells in the initiation of atherosclerosis through the formation of a necrotic core in atherosclerotic...
BACKGROUND
The current literature suggests the significant role of foam cells in the initiation of atherosclerosis through the formation of a necrotic core in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, an important periodontal pathogen called Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is indicated to play a significant role in this regard. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to comprehensively study the pathways by which P. gingivalis as a prominent bacterial species in periodontal disease, can induce foam cells that would initiate the process of atherosclerosis formation.
METHODS
An electronic search was undertaken in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science) to identify the studies published from January 2000 until March 2023. The risk of bias in each study was also assessed using the QUIN risk of bias assessment tool.
RESULTS
After the completion of the screening process, 11 in-vitro studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for further assessments. Nine of these studies represented a medium risk of bias, while the other two had a high risk of bias. All of the studies have reported that P. gingivalis can significantly induce foam cell formation by infecting the macrophages and induction of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) uptake. This process is activated through various mediators and pathways. The most important factors in this regard are the lipopolysaccharide of P. gingivalis and its outer membrane vesicles, as well as the changes in the expression rate of transmembrane lipid transportation channels, including transient receptor potential channel of the vanilloid subfamily 4 (TRPV4), lysosomal integral protein 2 (LIMP2), CD36, etc. The identified molecular pathways involved in this process include but are not limited to NF-κB, ERK1/2, p65.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that P. gingivalis can effectively promote foam cell formation through various pathogenic elements and this bacterial species can affect the expression rate of various genes and the function of specific receptors in the cellular and lysosomal membranes. However, due to the moderate to high level of risk of bias among the studies, further studies are required in this regard.
Topics: Humans; Foam Cells; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Macrophages; Atherosclerosis; Periodontitis
PubMed: 37442956
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03183-9 -
The British Journal of Surgery May 2024Systemic inflammatory response markers have been found to have a prognostic role in several cancers, but their value in predicting the response to neoadjuvant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Systemic inflammatory response markers have been found to have a prognostic role in several cancers, but their value in predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer is uncertain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was carried out to investigate this.
METHODS
A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify studies that explored the predictive value of circulating systemic inflammatory response markers in patients with breast cancer before commencing neoadjuvant therapy. A meta-analysis was undertaken for each inflammatory marker where three or more studies reported pCR rates in relation to the inflammatory marker. Outcome data are reported as ORs and 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 49 studies were included, of which 42 were suitable for meta-analysis. A lower pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was associated with an increased pCR rate (pooled OR 1.66 (95% c.i. 1.32 to 2.09); P < 0.001). A lower white cell count (OR 1.96 (95% c.i. 1.29 to 2.97); P = 0.002) and a lower monocyte count (OR 3.20 (95% c.i. 1.71 to 5.97); P < 0.001) were also associated with a pCR. A higher lymphocyte count was associated with an increased pCR rate (OR 0.44 (95% c.i. 0.30 to 0.64); P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The present study found the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, white cell count, lymphocyte count, and monocyte count of value in the prediction of a pCR in the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Further research is required to determine their value in specific breast cancer subtypes and to establish optimal cut-off values, before their adoption in clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Count; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neutrophils; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis
PubMed: 38801441
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znae132 -
BMC Surgery Jan 2024The inflammatory response is thought to be a critical initiator of epigenetic alterations. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a biomarker of inflammation, is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The inflammatory response is thought to be a critical initiator of epigenetic alterations. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a biomarker of inflammation, is computed by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes. The primary goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the pre-operative NLR of gastrointestinal surgery patients who had an anastomotic leak (AL) in comparison to those who did not AL.
METHODS
We performed a comprehensive search for relevant papers published before May 4, 2022, using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled in meta-analysis to yield a summary estimate. We utilized the random-effects model to create pooled effects since we discovered a substantial heterogeneity level. For evaluating quality, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was implemented.
RESULTS
The research comprised 12 studies with a total of 2940 individuals who had GI operations, 353 of whom went on to develop AL. We discovered that patients who had GI surgeries and acquired AL had significantly higher NLR levels than those who did not (random-effects model: SMD = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.11-1.38, p = 0.02). Patients with AL showed significantly higher NLR levels than control group in retrospective studies (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.20-1.66, p=0.01) but not in prospective studies (SMD = - 0.11, 95% CI = - 0.65-0.43, p = 0.69), according to the subgroup analysis based on research design. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity yielded that white patients with AL exhibited significantly higher NLR values than the control group (SMD = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.01-2.68, p = 0.04) but this result was not applied to East Asian patients (SMD = 0.14, 95% CI = -0.13-0.41, p = 0.29).
CONCLUSION
Our research suggests a potential association between preoperative NLR and postoperative AL. However, it is essential to acknowledge the variability in the findings, with significantly higher NLR levels observed in retrospective studies and among white patients, but not consistently replicated in prospective studies and among East Asian patients. Further investigations with larger and more diverse cohorts are warranted to validate these findings and explore potential factors contributing to the observed discrepancies.
Topics: Humans; Anastomotic Leak; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Inflammation; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38184537
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-023-02292-0 -
BMC Women's Health Mar 2024We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels between women with post-menopausal osteopenia or osteoporosis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels between women with post-menopausal osteopenia or osteoporosis to those with normal bone mineral density (BMD).
METHODS
We used Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to conduct a systematic search for relevant publications published before June 19, 2022, only in English language. We reported standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Because a significant level of heterogeneity was found, we used the random-effects model to calculate pooled effects. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for quality assessment.
RESULTS
Overall, eight articles were included in the analysis. Post-menopausal women with osteoporosis had elevated levels of NLR compared to those without osteoporosis (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.18 to 1.88, p = 0.017, I = 98%). In addition, there was no difference between post-menopausal women with osteopenia and those without osteopenia in neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI=-0.08 to 1.25, p = 0.085, I = 96.8%). However, there was no difference between post-menopausal women with osteoporosis and those with osteopenia in NLR levels (SMD = 0.75, 95% CI=-0.01 to 1.51, p = 0.05, I = 97.5%, random-effect model).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study point to NLR as a potential biomarker that may be easily introduced into clinical settings to help predict and prevent post-menopausal osteoporosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Bone Density; Neutrophils; Postmenopause; Osteoporosis; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Lymphocytes; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal
PubMed: 38461235
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03006-1 -
Kardiologia Polska 2024Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and is likely to rise. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is consequent on inflammation. As a common and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and is likely to rise. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is consequent on inflammation. As a common and cost-effective inflammatory biomarker, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be beneficial in cardiovascular medicine.
AIMS
This meta-analysis examines the diagnostic and prognostic performance of the NLR in ACS.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed Central, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrial.gov databases. The search spanned from databases inception to January 10, 2024. The findings were aggregated into normalized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Ninety articles, with 45 990 participants, were included. Pooled analysis of the NLR varied and was higher in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) vs. non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients (4.94 ± 3.24 vs. 3.24 ± 2.74), acute myocardial infarction vs. unstable angina (4.47 ± 3.43 vs. 2.97 ± 1.58), ACS vs. stable angina (SA) (5.45 ± 4.28 vs. 2.46 ± 2.15), and ACS vs. controls (5.31 ± 4.01 vs. 2.46 ± 2.45). The NLR also was associated with ACS mortality, with survivors having lower results (3.67 ± 2.72 vs. 5.56 ± 3.93). Subanalysis showed that differences in the NLR were observed in STEMI survivors (4.28 ± 3.24 vs. 6.79 ± 3.98). Of ACS patients with major cardiovascular events (MACE) vs. without MACE, the NLR was 6.29 ± 4.89 vs. 3.82 ± 4.12. In STEMI patients, the NLR differed between those with and without MACE (6.99 ± 5.27 vs. 4.99 ± 4.12).
CONCLUSIONS
The NLR is an effective tool for differentiating between different types of ACS. A high NLR is associated with ACS and increased MACE at 30 days. The NLR also appears to be a good predictor of MACE risk, at least in STEMI patients.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Acute Coronary Syndrome; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction; Neutrophils; Lymphocytes; Myocardial Infarction; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
PubMed: 38493452
DOI: 10.33963/v.phj.99554