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Medicine May 2024Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, found in supplements and fortified foods, while folate occurs naturally in foods. Folic acid and its derivatives are...
Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, found in supplements and fortified foods, while folate occurs naturally in foods. Folic acid and its derivatives are extremely important in the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and ribose nucleic acid [RNA]) and different proteins. It acts as a coenzyme for the transfer of 1 carbon in the biosynthesis of purine, pyrimidine, and amino acids. Folic acid is critically important in rapidly proliferating tissues, including fetus and trophoblastic tissue to prevent neural tube defect (NTD). The main objective of this review is to identify the role of folic acid to prevent NTD among pregnancy mothers. Electronic databases including Web of Science, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane library used to systematically search without limitation of publication date and status. In pregnancy, the first trimester is a significant time for neural tube closure. Decreased blood folic acid levels inhibit DNA replication, repair, RNA synthesis, histone and DNA methylation, methionine production, and homocysteine remethylation reactions that cause NTDs in pregnancy. Therefore, folic acid supplementation is critically important for childbearing mothers before conception and in the first trimester pregnancy. As a result, women are recommended to take 400 microgram FA/day from preconception until the end of the first trimester to prevent NTD-affected pregnancies. This allows the developing neural tissue to acquire critical mass and provides the preferred rostrocaudal orientation so that these divisions contribute to the elongation of the developing neural tube in embryos.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Neural Tube Defects; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 38728462
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038154 -
Virology Journal Sep 2020The COVID-19 causing coronavirus is an enveloped RNA virus that utilizes an enzyme RNA dependent RNA polymerase for its replication. Favipiravir (FVP) triphosphate, a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 causing coronavirus is an enveloped RNA virus that utilizes an enzyme RNA dependent RNA polymerase for its replication. Favipiravir (FVP) triphosphate, a purine nucleoside analog, inhibits that enzyme. We have conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy and safety of the drug FVP as a treatment for COVID-19.
METHODS
Databases like Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, preprint sites, and clinicaltirals.gov were searched. The studies with the standard of care (SOC) and FVP as a treatment drug were considered as the treatment group and the SOC with other antivirals and supportive care as the control group. Quantitative synthesis was done using RevMan 5.4. Clinical improvement, negative conversion of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), adverse effects, and oxygen requirements were studied.
RESULTS
We identified a total of 1798 studies after searching the electronic databases. Nine in the qualitative studies and four studies in the quantitative synthesis met the criteria. There was a significant clinical improvement in the FVP group on the 14th day compared to the control group (RR 1.29, 1.08-1.54). Clinical deterioration rates were less likely in the FVP group though statistically not significant (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.30-1.14) at the endpoint of study (7-15 days). The meta-analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups on viral clearance (day 14: RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.84-1.33), non-invasive ventilation or oxygen requirement (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.42-1.39), and adverse effects (OR 0.69, 0.13-3.57). There are 31 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) registered in different parts of the world focusing FVP for COVID-19 treatment.
CONCLUSION
There is a significant clinical and radiological improvement following treatment with FVP in comparison to the standard of care with no significant differences on viral clearance, oxygen support requirement and side effect profiles.
Topics: Amides; Antiviral Agents; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Coronavirus Infections; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; Databases, Factual; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Pyrazines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; SARS-CoV-2; Standard of Care; Treatment Outcome; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 32972430
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01412-z -
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &... May 2024Second malignant neoplasm (SMN) is one of the most severe long-term risks for childhood cancer survivors (CCS), significantly impacting long-term patient survival. While...
Second malignant neoplasm (SMN) is one of the most severe long-term risks for childhood cancer survivors (CCS), significantly impacting long-term patient survival. While radiotherapy and chemotherapy are known risk factors, the observed inter-individual variability suggests a genetic component contributing to the risk of SMN. This article aims to conduct a systematic review of genetic factors implicated in the SMN risk among CCS. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences. Eighteen studies were included (eleven candidate gene studies, three genome-wide association studies, and four whole exome/genome sequencing studies). The included studies were based on different types of first cancers, investigated any or specific types of SMN, and focused mainly on genes involved in drug metabolism and DNA repair pathways. These differences in study design and methods used to characterize genetic variants limit the scope of the results and highlight the need for further extensive and standardized investigations. However, this review provides a valuable compilation of SMN risk-associated variants and genes, facilitating efficient replication and advancing our understanding of the genetic basis for this major risk for CCS.
PubMed: 38801411
DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-0010 -
Andrologia Aug 2019Over the past decades, there is an increasing number of association studies of telomere length (TL) and the risk and recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa), but the results... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Over the past decades, there is an increasing number of association studies of telomere length (TL) and the risk and recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa), but the results are inconsistent. Hence, we identify the relevant studies published in English on or before 10 January 2019 conducting a literature review in the electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Twelve studies (with 19 data sets) were included in this meta-analysis, five of which were associated with risk assessment, six of which reported recurrence of PCa and one of which included them. Our meta-analysis demonstrated a positive association of shorter telomeres in patients with PCa, but without statistical significance (OR, 1.23; 95% CI: 0.91-1.66). Shorter telomeres in stroma (OR, 2.40; 95% CI: 1.61-3.56) and epithelium (OR, 1.70; 95% CI: 1.33-2.16) were positively correlated with PCa, but in leucocyte (OR, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73-0.91) had negative association with PCa. Furthermore, two studies combined yielded a pooled OR of 2.87 (95% CI: 1.22-6.76) for the association between shorter TL and metastasis. These results are novel and give further strength to formulate eligible individualising treatment and surveillance strategies.
Topics: Datasets as Topic; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Assessment; Telomere; Telomere Shortening
PubMed: 31090230
DOI: 10.1111/and.13304 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2021Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from various wireless devices has increased dramatically with the advancement of technology. One of the...
Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from various wireless devices has increased dramatically with the advancement of technology. One of the most vulnerable organs to the RF-EMR is the testes. This is due to the fact that testicular tissues are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to a high rate of cell division and mitochondrial oxygen consumption. As a result of extensive cell proliferation, replication errors occur, resulting in DNA fragmentation in the sperm. While high oxygen consumption increases the level of oxidative phosphorylation by-products (free radicals) in the mitochondria. Furthermore, due to its inability to effectively dissipate excess heat, testes are also susceptible to thermal effects from RF-EMR exposure. As a result, people are concerned about its impact on male reproductive function. The aim of this article was to conduct a review of literature on the effects of RF-EMR emitted by wireless devices on male reproductive hormones in experimental animals and humans. According to the findings of the studies, RF-EMR emitted by mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices can cause testosterone reduction. However, the effect on gonadotrophic hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) is inconclusive. These findings were influenced by several factors, which can influence energy absorption and the biological effect of RF-EMR. The effect of RF-EMR in the majority of animal and human studies appeared to be related to the duration of mobile phone use. Thus, limiting the use of wireless devices is recommended.
PubMed: 34630149
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.732420