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Frontiers in Physiology 2024Endothelial dysfunction indicates blood vessel injury and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Blueberry has been approved for its benefits on human health,...
Endothelial dysfunction indicates blood vessel injury and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Blueberry has been approved for its benefits on human health, especially on cardiovascular function. However, its effect on endothelial function remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the impact of blueberries on endothelial function in adults. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, 16 studies were included in the systematic review, and 11 were used for the meta-analysis. Data associated with endothelial function were extracted and pooled as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Blueberry consumption significantly improved flow-mediated dilation (FMD) by 1.50% (95% CI: 0.81, 2.20; I = 87%) and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) by 0.26 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.42; I = 72%). A significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was also observed (MD: -2.20 mm Hg; 95% CI: -4.13, -0.27; I = 11%). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant decrease in blood pressure (Systolic blood pressure [SBP]: -3.92 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.88, -0.97; I = 20% and DBP: -2.20 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.13, -0.27; I = 11%) in the smoking population. However, SBP levels (MD: -1.43 mm Hg; 95% CI: -3.11, 0.26; I = 20%) and lipid status (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]: 0.06; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.16; I = 77%; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]: 0.05; 95% CI: -0.14, 0.24; I = 0%) did not significantly improve. Blueberry intervention improved endothelial function and DBP. Subgroup analysis revealed a notable improvement in blood pressure among the smoking population. However, no significant effects were observed on SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels. Future research should delve into the mechanisms of endothelial improvement and verify blood pressure reduction in specific subpopulations through large-scale trials. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, Identifier CRD42023491277.
PubMed: 38887319
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1368892 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2024People with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder die up to 30 years younger than individuals in the general population. Premature... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
People with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder die up to 30 years younger than individuals in the general population. Premature mortality among this population is often due to medical comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Being a disease directly related to diet, adverse lifestyle choices, and side effects of psychotropic medication, an effective approach to T2D treatment and management could be non-pharmacological interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis (1) summarise the current evidence base for non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) for diabetes management in people living with SMI and (2) evaluate the effect of these interventions on diverse health outcomes for people with SMI and comorbid diabetes.
METHODS
Six databases were searched to identify relevant studies: PubMed (MEDLINE), PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Studies were included if they reported on non-pharmacological interventions targeted at the management of T2D in people living with SMI. To be eligible, studies had to further involve a control group or report multiple time points of data in the same study population. Whenever there were enough interventions reporting data on the same outcome, we also performed a meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Of 1867 records identified, 14 studies were included in the systematic review and 6 were also eligible for meta-analysis. The results showed that there was a reduction, although not significant, in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the NPI group compared with the control, with a mean difference of -0.14 (95% CI, -0.42, 0.14, = 0.33). Furthermore, NPI did not significantly reduce fasting blood glucose in these participants, with a mean difference of -17.70 (95% CI, -53.77, 18.37, = 0.34). However, the meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in psychiatric symptoms: BPRS score, -3.66 (95% CI, -6.8, -0.47, = 0.02) and MADRS score, -2.63 (95% CI, -5.24, -0.02, = 0.05). NPI also showed a significant reduction in the level of total cholesterol compared with the control, with a mean difference of -26.10 (95% CI, -46.54, -5.66, = 0.01), and in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared with control, with a standardised mean difference of -0.47 (95% CI, -0.90, -0.04, = 0.03). NPI did not appear to have significant effect ( > 0.05) on body mass index (BMI), health-related quality of life (HRQL), triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with control.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that NPI significantly ( < 0.05) reduced psychiatric symptoms, levels of total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and SMI. While non-pharmacological interventions also reduced HbA1c, triglyceride, and BMI levels and improved quality of life in these people, the effects were not significant ( > 0.05).
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 38673334
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040423 -
International Journal of Health... Jun 2024Geographical environments influence people's active mobility behaviors, contributing to their physical and mental health. The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in experimental... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Geographical environments influence people's active mobility behaviors, contributing to their physical and mental health. The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in experimental research can unveil new insights into the relationship between exposure to geographic environments and active mobility behaviors. This systematic review aims to (1) identify environmental attributes investigated in relation with walking and cycling, using VR, (2) assess their impacts on active mobility behaviors and attitudes, and (3) identify research gaps, strengths and limitations in VR-based experimental research.
METHODS
Articles published between January 2010 and February 2022 within five databases (PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, IEEE Xplore, and Cochrane Library) were explored using three keywords and their synonyms: Virtual Reality, Active mobility behavior, and Geographical environments. Studies focusing on indoor environments, driving simulation, disease-specific groups, non-relevant disciplines (e.g. military, emergency evacuation), VR methodology/software optimization, and those with static participants' involvement were excluded. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (ID = CRD42022308366).
RESULTS
Out of 3255 articles, 18 peer-reviewed papers met the selection criteria, mostly focusing on walking (83%). Most studies used head-mounted displays (94%) and relied on convenience sampling (72% below 100 participants). Both static (33%) and dynamic (45%) environmental attributes have been investigated, with only 22% of them simultaneously in the same virtual environment. Greenness and crowd density were the most frequent attributes, rather consistently associated with emotional states and movement behaviors. Few studies have taken into account participant's previous VR experience (33%) and cybersickness (39%) while both are likely to affect an individual's perception and behavior.
CONCLUSIONS
Future research should explore a broader range of environmental attributes, including static and dynamic ones, as well as a more complex integration of these attributes within a single experiment to mimic the effect of realistic environments on people's active mobility behaviors and attitudes. Larger and more diverse population samples are deemed required to improve result generalizability. Despite methodological challenges, VR emerges as a promising tool to disentangle the effect of complex environments on active mobility behaviors.
Topics: Humans; Virtual Reality; Walking; Bicycling
PubMed: 38851727
DOI: 10.1186/s12942-024-00375-6 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Feb 2024Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported the effect of probiotics on reducing plasma lipids with inconsistent results. An explicit systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported the effect of probiotics on reducing plasma lipids with inconsistent results. An explicit systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in this study to evaluate the effect of probiotics on the lipid profile of healthy and hyperlipidemia participants.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search of RCTs was conducted using PubMed, Embase, World Health Organization (WHO) Global Index Medicus, WHO clinical trial registry, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Inclusion criteria included RCTs comparing the use of any strain of a specified probiotic with the placebo control group. The change in lipid profiles was analyzed.
RESULTS
The probiotics can decrease the total cholesterol (TC) level in hyperlipidemia participants but not healthy persons (MD = -0.43, 95% CI -0.60 - -0.25, P < .01; MD = -0.09, 95% CI -0.26 - 0.08, P > .05). Probiotics did not reduce high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients with hyperlipidemia or healthy people (MD = -0.01, 95% CI -0.09 - 0.07, P > .05; MD = 0.02, 95% CI -0.04 - 0.09, P > .05). Furthermore, probiotics can reduce the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level both in hyperlipidemia and healthy persons (MD = -0.34, 95% CI -0.43 - -0.26, P < .01; MD = -0.15, 95% CI -0.28 - -0.02, P < .05). Lastly, the effect of probiotics on reducing triglyceride (TG) levels was significant in hyperlipidemia persons but not in the healthy population (MD = -0.20, 95% CI -0.37 - -0.04, P < .01; MD = -0.01, 95% CI -0.02 - 0.04, P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Through our analysis, the effect of probiotics on lowering plasma lipid was more obvious in hyperlipidemia participants than healthy population. However, further studies are required to confirm the findings due to pronounced clinical heterogeneity.
Topics: Humans; Healthy Volunteers; Cholesterol, LDL; Hyperlipidemias; Probiotics; Health Status
PubMed: 37856800
DOI: No ID Found -
Bone Reports Jun 2024Bone loss is a well-known phenomenon in the older population leading to increased bone fracture risk, morbidity, and mortality. Supplementation of eggshell membrane... (Review)
Review
Bone loss is a well-known phenomenon in the older population leading to increased bone fracture risk, morbidity, and mortality. Supplementation of eggshell membrane (ESM) is evaluated due to its possible application to prevent bone loss and usage in osteoporosis therapy. The similar organic chemical composition of ESM and human bone is described in detail as both mainly consist of collagen type I, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, hyaluronic acid and elastan. ESM and its components are reported to improve mineralization in bone tissue. In many studies ESM intake reduced pain in patients with joint disorders and reduced inflammatory processes. Additionally, ESM improved calcium uptake in human cells. These findings in comparison with a clinical pilot study reporting pain reduction in osteoporotic patients and increased osteoblast activity in in vitro assays support ESM to be a beneficial supplement for bone health. In this systematic review we combined chemical structure analysis with clinical studies to give a more comprehensive picture with novel explanations.
PubMed: 38872992
DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2024.101776 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Quorum sensing is bacteria's ability to communicate and regulate their behavior based on population density. Anti-quorum sensing agents (anti-QSA) is promising strategy...
BACKGROUND
Quorum sensing is bacteria's ability to communicate and regulate their behavior based on population density. Anti-quorum sensing agents (anti-QSA) is promising strategy to treat resistant infections, as well as reduce selective pressure that leads to antibiotic resistance of clinically relevant pathogens. This study analyzes the output, hotspots, and trends of research in the field of anti-QSA against clinically relevant pathogens.
METHODS
The literature on anti-QSA from the Web of Science Core Collection database was retrieved and analyzed. Tools such as CiteSpace and Alluvial Generator were used to visualize and interpret the data.
RESULTS
From 1998 to 2023, the number of publications related to anti-QAS research increased rapidly, with a total of 1,743 articles and reviews published in 558 journals. The United States was the largest contributor and the most influential country, with an H-index of 88, higher than other countries. Williams was the most productive author, and Hoiby N was the most cited author. Frontiers in Microbiology was the most prolific and the most cited journal. Burst detection indicated that the main frontier disciplines shifted from MICROBIOLOGY, CLINICAL, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, and other biomedicine-related fields to FOOD, MATERIALS, NATURAL PRODUCTS, and MULTIDISCIPLINARY. In the whole research history, the strongest burst keyword was cystic-fibrosis patients, and the strongest burst reference was Lee and Zhang (2015). In the latest period (burst until 2023), the strongest burst keyword was silver nanoparticle, and the strongest burst reference was Whiteley et al. (2017). The co-citation network revealed that the most important interest and research direction was anti-biofilm/anti-virulence drug development, and timeline analysis suggested that this direction is also the most active. The key concepts alluvial flow visualization revealed seven terms with the longest time span and lasting until now, namely , virulence, , virulence factor, bacterial biofilm, gene expression, quorum sensing. Comprehensive analysis shows that nanomaterials, marine natural products, and artificial intelligence (AI) may become hotspots in the future.
CONCLUSION
This bibliometric study reveals the current status and trends of anti-QSA research and may assist researchers in identifying hot topics and exploring new research directions.
PubMed: 38098670
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1297843 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Oct 2023Metabolic disorders were a health problem for many adults with congenital heart disease, however, the differences in metabolic syndrome-related metabolite levels in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Metabolic disorders were a health problem for many adults with congenital heart disease, however, the differences in metabolic syndrome-related metabolite levels in adults with congenital heart disease compared to the healthy population were unknown.
METHODS
We collected 18 studies reporting metabolic syndrome-associated metabolite levels in patients with congenital heart disease. Data from different studies were combined under a random-effects model using Cohen's d values.
RESULTS
The results found that the levels of total cholesterol (Cohen's d -0.68, 95% CI: -0.91 to -0.45), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Cohen's d -0.63, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.37), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Cohen's d -0.32, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.10) were significantly lower in congenital heart disease patients compared with controls. Congenital heart disease patients also had a lower body mass index (Cohen's d -0.27, 95% CI: -0.42 to -0.12) compared with controls. On the contrary, congenital heart disease patients had higher levels of hemoglobin A1c (Cohen's d 0.93, 95% CI: 0.17 to 1.70) than controls. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in triglyceride (Cohen's d 0.07, 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.23), blood glucose (Cohen's d -0.12, 95% CI: -0.94 to 0.70) levels, systolic (Cohen's d 0.07, 95% CI: -0.30 to 0.45) and diastolic blood pressure (Cohen's d -0.10, 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.19) between congenital heart disease patients and controls.
CONCLUSIONS
The lipid levels in patients with congenital heart disease were significantly lower than those in the control group. These data will help in the health management of patients with congenital heart disease and guide clinicians.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022228156.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Metabolic Syndrome; Triglycerides; Heart Defects, Congenital; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL
PubMed: 37891491
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03455-w -
Schizophrenia Research Feb 2024Premature mortality is a well-documented adverse outcome for people living with severe mental illnesses (SMI). Emerging evidence suggests that area-level factors play a...
BACKGROUND
Premature mortality is a well-documented adverse outcome for people living with severe mental illnesses (SMI). Emerging evidence suggests that area-level factors play a role that are experienced disproportionately by this population. This review assesses the potential association between area-level factors and mortality in people with SMI.
METHOD
We searched Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Social Policy and Practice, Web of Science and OpenGrey databases. Literature searches were conducted in May 2020 and updated in June 2023. Reference lists were hand-searched and authors of included studies contacted to identify additional studies and minimise publication biases. Narrative synthesis was used to appraise the included studies. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019155447).
RESULTS
Our searches identified 7 studies (8 papers), which were included in the review, and indicated evidence of an association between deprivation and mortality. One study suggested an association between mortality in SMI and urbanicity in low to middle income settings which was not observed in studies from high income settings. One study suggested a protective association of area-level ethnic density with mortality within urbanised settings.
CONCLUSION
Consistent associations were reported between residence in areas of higher deprivation and increased risk of mortality in SMI. Two studies suggested an association between area-level ethnic density and urbanicity and mortality in SMI. Most studies were conducted across high income countries and therefore future research could benefit from similar investigations being conducted in low- and middle-income countries. These methods would inform health and social policies, including interventions to reduce premature mortality in SMI.
Topics: Humans; Mental Disorders; Mortality, Premature; Geography, Medical
PubMed: 38118264
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.12.012 -
Atherosclerosis Apr 2024The utility of lipid screening in pediatric settings for preventing adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases partly depends on the lifelong tracking of lipid... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The utility of lipid screening in pediatric settings for preventing adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases partly depends on the lifelong tracking of lipid levels. This systematic review aimed to quantify the tracking of lipid levels from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.
METHODS
We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar in March 2022. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; ID: CRD42020208859). We included cohort studies that measured tracking of lipids from childhood or adolescence (<18 years) to adulthood (≥18) with correlation or tracking coefficients. We estimated pooled correlation and tracking coefficients using random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed with a review-specific tool.
RESULTS
Thirty-three studies of 19 cohorts (11,020 participants) were included. The degree of tracking from childhood and adolescence to adulthood differed among lipids. Tracking was observed for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (pooled r = 0.55-0.65), total cholesterol (pooled r = 0.51-0.65), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (pooled r = 0.46-0.57), and triglycerides (pooled r = 0.32-0.40). Only one study included tracking of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.42-0.59). Substantial heterogeneity was observed. Study risk of bias was moderate, mostly due to insufficient reporting and singular measurements at baseline and follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Early-life lipid measurements are important for predicting adult levels. However, further research is needed to understand the tracking of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the stability of risk classification over time, which may further inform pediatric lipid screening and assessment strategies.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Young Adult; Cholesterol; Triglycerides; Cohort Studies; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Lipoproteins
PubMed: 38569384
DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117482 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2023The impact of climate change has led to variations in various biological processes, leading to altered transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, including...
BACKGROUND
The impact of climate change has led to variations in various biological processes, leading to altered transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, including snail-borne diseases (SBDs). Fascioliasis is one of the neglected zoonotic tropical snail-borne diseases caused by the trematode of the genus Fasciola. This review focused on laboratory experimental and model studies that evaluate the potential effect of temperature change on the ecology and biology of the intermediate host snails (IHS) of Fasciola.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted on Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and PubMed databases using predefined medical subject heading terms, Boolean operators, and truncation symbols in combination with direct keywords: Fasciolosis AND Temperature, Lymnaea OR Austropeplea OR Radix OR Galba OR Fossaria OR Pseudosuccinea AND growth, fecundity, AND survival at the global scale. Other search terms used were (Fascioliasis AND Temperature), (Lymnaea AND Temperature), (Austropeplea AND Temperature), (Fossaria AND Temperature), (Galba AND Temperature), (Pseudosuccinea AND Temperature), and (Radix AND Temperature).
RESULTS
The final synthesis included thirty-five published articles. The studies reviewed indicated that temperature rise may alter the distribution, and optimal conditions for breeding, growth, and survival of IHS, ultimately resulting in changing the transmission dynamics of fascioliasis. The literature also confirmed that the life history traits of IHS and their interaction with the liver fluke parasites are driven by temperature, and hence climate change may have profound outcomes on the population size of snails, parasite density, and disease epidemiology.
CONCLUSION
We concluded that understanding the impact of temperature on the growth, fecundity, and survival of IHS may broaden our knowledge of the possible effects of climate change and hence inform fascioliasis control programs.
Topics: Animals; Fascioliasis; Life History Traits; Temperature; Fasciola hepatica; Fasciola
PubMed: 38048345
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011812