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Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Nov 2023Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) are characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells that produce identical abnormal immunoglobulins (intact or some of their subunits)....
Recommendations for the study of monoclonal gammopathies in the clinical laboratory. A consensus of the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine and the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy. Part I: Update on laboratory tests for the study of monoclonal gammopathies.
Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) are characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells that produce identical abnormal immunoglobulins (intact or some of their subunits). This abnormal immunoglobulin component is called monoclonal protein (M-protein), and is considered a biomarker of proliferative activity. The identification, characterization and measurement of M-protein is essential for the management of MG. We conducted a systematic review of the different tests and measurement methods used in the clinical laboratory for the study of M-protein in serum and urine, the biochemistry and hematology tests necessary for clinical evaluation, and studies in bone marrow, peripheral blood and other tissues. This review included literature published between 2009 and 2022. The paper discusses the main methodological characteristics and limitations, as well as the purpose and clinical value of the different tests used in the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and assessment of treatment response in MG. Included are methods for the study of M-protein, namely electrophoresis, measurement of immunoglobulin levels, serum free light chains, immunoglobulin heavy chain/light chain pairs, and mass spectrometry, and for the bone marrow examination, morphological analysis, cytogenetics, molecular techniques, and multiparameter flow cytometry.
Topics: Humans; Laboratories, Clinical; Consensus; Paraproteinemias; Immunoglobulin Light Chains; Hematology; Multiple Myeloma
PubMed: 37477188
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0326 -
Injury Nov 2020To acquire evidence-based knowledge in temporal and spatial patterns of microglia/macrophages changes to facilitate finding proper intervention time for functional... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To acquire evidence-based knowledge in temporal and spatial patterns of microglia/macrophages changes to facilitate finding proper intervention time for functional restoration after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).
SETTING
Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and EMBASE via Ovid SP with no temporal and linguistic restrictions. Besides, hand-search was performed in the bibliographies of relevant studies. The experimental non-interventional and non-transgenic animal studies confined to the rat species which assess the pathological change of microglia /macrophages at the specified time were included.
RESULTS
We found 15,315 non-duplicate studies. Screening through title and abstract narrowed down to 607 relevant articles, 31 of them were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The reactivity of the microglia/macrophages initiates in early hours PI in contusion, compression and transection models. Cells activity reached a maximum within 48 h to 28 days in compression, 7 days in contusion and between 4 and 60 days in transection models. Inflammatory response occurred at the epicenter, in or near the lesion site in both gray and white matter in all three injury models with a maximum extension of one centimeter caudal and rostral to the epicenter in the gray matter in contusion and transection models.
CONCLUSION
This study was designed to study spatial-temporal changes in the activation of microglia/macrophages overtime after TSCI. We were able to demonstrate time-dependent cell morphological changes after TSCI. The peak times of cell reactivity and the areas where the cells responded to the injury were determined.
Topics: Animals; Contusions; Disease Models, Animal; Iran; Macrophages; Microglia; Rats; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 32665068
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2020.07.007 -
Experimental Gerontology May 2020Morphological changes of the lumbar spine muscles are not well characterised with ageing. To further the understanding of age-related degeneration of the lumbar spine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Morphological changes of the lumbar spine muscles are not well characterised with ageing. To further the understanding of age-related degeneration of the lumbar spine musculature, normative morphological changes that occur within the paravertebral muscles must first be established.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-regressions were conducted adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Searches for published and unpublished data were completed in June 2019.
RESULTS
Searches returned 4781 articles. 34 articles were included in the quantitative analysis. Three-level meta-analyses showed age-related atrophy (r = -0.26; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.17) and fat infiltration (r = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.50) in the lumbar paravertebral muscles. Degenerative changes were muscle-specific and men (r = -0.32; 95% CI: -0.61, 0.01) exhibited significantly greater muscle atrophy than women (r = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.47, 0.03). Imaging modality, specifically ultrasound, also influenced age-related muscle atrophy. Measurements taken across all lumbar levels revealed the greatest fat infiltration with ageing (r = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.74). Moderators explained a large proportion of between-study variance in true effects for muscle atrophy (72.6%) and fat infiltration (79.8%) models.
CONCLUSIONS
Lumbar paravertebral muscles undergo age-related degeneration in healthy adults with muscle, lumbar level and sex-specific responses. Future studies should use high-resolution imaging modalities to quantify muscle atrophy and fat infiltration.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Lumbosacral Region; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Muscles; Muscular Atrophy
PubMed: 32006635
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110856 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric cycling (ECC) training on performance, physiological, and morphological parameters in comparison to concentric... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric cycling (ECC) training on performance, physiological, and morphological parameters in comparison to concentric cycling (CON) training. Searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect. Studies comparing the effect of ECC and CON training regimens on performance, physiological, and/or morphological parameters were included. Bayesian multilevel meta-analysis models were used to estimate the population's mean difference between chronic responses from ECC and CON training protocols. Group levels and meta-regression were used to evaluate the specific effects of subjects and study characteristics. Fourteen studies were included in this review. The meta-analyses showed that ECC training was more effective in increasing knee extensor strength, vastus lateralis fiber cross-sectional area, and six-minute walking distance compared to CON. Moreover, ECC was as effective as CON in decreasing body fat percentage. CON was more effective in increasing V˙O2max and peak power output attained during concentric incremental tests. However, group-level analyses revealed that ECC was more effective than CON in improving V˙O2max in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. ECC is a viable modality for exercise interventions aiming to improve parameters of muscle strength, hypertrophy, functional capacity, aerobic power, and body composition, with more advantages than CON training in improving neuromuscular variables.
Topics: Humans; Bayes Theorem; Muscle Strength; Quadriceps Muscle; Knee; Knee Joint; Adaptation, Physiological; Muscle, Skeletal; Resistance Training
PubMed: 36833557
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042861 -
Journal of Neuroinflammation Mar 2023Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of hyperglycemia, commonly preceded by a prediabetic state. The excess of... (Review)
Review
Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of hyperglycemia, commonly preceded by a prediabetic state. The excess of blood glucose can damage multiple organs, including the brain. In fact, cognitive decline and dementia are increasingly being recognized as important comorbidities of diabetes. Despite the largely consistent link between diabetes and dementia, the underlying causes of neurodegeneration in diabetic patients remain to be elucidated. A common factor for almost all neurological disorders is neuroinflammation, a complex inflammatory process in the central nervous system for the most part orchestrated by microglial cells, the main representatives of the immune system in the brain. In this context, our research question aimed to understand how diabetes affects brain and/or retinal microglia physiology. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed and Web of Science to identify research items addressing the effects of diabetes on microglial phenotypic modulation, including critical neuroinflammatory mediators and their pathways. The literature search yielded 1327 records, including 18 patents. Based on the title and abstracts, 830 papers were screened from which 250 primary research papers met the eligibility criteria (original research articles with patients or with a strict diabetes model without comorbidities, that included direct data about microglia in the brain or retina), and 17 additional research papers were included through forward and backward citations, resulting in a total of 267 primary research articles included in the scoping systematic review. We reviewed all primary publications investigating the effects of diabetes and/or its main pathophysiological traits on microglia, including in vitro studies, preclinical models of diabetes and clinical studies on diabetic patients. Although a strict classification of microglia remains elusive given their capacity to adapt to the environment and their morphological, ultrastructural and molecular dynamism, diabetes modulates microglial phenotypic states, triggering specific responses that include upregulation of activity markers (such as Iba1, CD11b, CD68, MHC-II and F4/80), morphological shift to amoeboid shape, secretion of a wide variety of cytokines and chemokines, metabolic reprogramming and generalized increase of oxidative stress. Pathways commonly activated by diabetes-related conditions include NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, fractalkine/CX3CR1, MAPKs, AGEs/RAGE and Akt/mTOR. Altogether, the detailed portrait of complex interactions between diabetes and microglia physiology presented here can be regarded as an important starting point for future research focused on the microglia-metabolism interface.
Topics: Humans; Microglia; Diabetes Mellitus; Hyperglycemia; Central Nervous System; Dementia
PubMed: 36869375
DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02740-x -
3 Biotech Oct 2023Drought stress remains one of the most detrimental environmental constraints that hampers plant growth and development resulting in reduced yield and leading to economic... (Review)
Review
Drought stress remains one of the most detrimental environmental constraints that hampers plant growth and development resulting in reduced yield and leading to economic losses. Studies have highlighted the beneficial role of carbon-based nanomaterials (NMs) such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), graphene, fullerene, and metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) (Ag, Au, Cu, FeO, TiO, and ZnO) in plants under unfavorable conditions such as drought. NPs help plants cope with drought by improving plant growth indices and enhancing biomass. It improves water and nutrient uptake and utilization. It helps retain water by altering the cell walls and regulating stomatal closure. The photosynthetic parameters in NP-treated plants reportedly improved with the increase in pigment content and rate of photosynthesis. Due to NP exposure, the activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants has reportedly improved. These antioxidants play a significant role in the defense system against stress. Studies have reported the accumulation of osmolytes and secondary metabolites. Osmolytes scavenge reactive oxygen species, which can cause oxidative stress in plants. Secondary metabolites are involved in the water retention process, thus improving plant coping strategies with stress. The deleterious effects of drought stress are alleviated by reducing malondialdehyde resulting from lipid peroxidation. Reactive oxygen species accumulation is also controlled with NP treatment. Furthermore, NPs have been reported to regulate the expression of drought-responsive genes and the biosynthesis of phytohormones such as abscisic acid, auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin, which help plants defend against drought stress. This study reviewed 72 journal articles from 192 Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed papers. In this review, we have discussed the impact of NP treatment on morphological, physio-biochemical, and molecular responses in monocot and dicot plants under drought conditions with an emphasis on NP uptake, transportation, and localization.
PubMed: 37693636
DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03751-4 -
PloS One 2021Climate change affects livestock production and productivity, which could threaten livestock-based food security in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Climate change affects livestock production and productivity, which could threaten livestock-based food security in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems of the tropics and sub-tropics. Boran cattle breed is one of the hardiest Zebu cattle reared by Borana Oromo pastoralists for milk and meat production. However, there is limited comprensive information on production, reproduction and adaption traits of the Boran cattle in Ethiopia. Thus, this paper aims to compile the main production, reproduction and some adaptation traits of Boran cattle based on systematic review and meta-analysis of peer reviewed published and unpublished literature.
METHODOLOGY
A combination of systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guideline was employed. Accordingly, out of 646 recorded articles identified through database searching, 64 were found to be eligible for production, reproduction and adaptation characteristics of the Boran cattle, 28 articles were included in qualitative systematic review while 36 articles were used for quantitative meta-analysis.
RESULT
The Boran cattle breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce under high ambient temperature, utilize low quality forage resources, and resist water shortage or long watering intervals and tick infestations. The review revealed that the breed employs various adaptation responses (morphological, physiological, biochemical, metabolic, cellular and molecular responses) to cope with harsh environmental conditions including climate change, rangeland degradation, seasonal feed and water shortages and high incidences of tick infestations. The meta-analysis using a random-effects model allowed provision of pooled estimates of heritability and genetic correlations for reproduction and production traits, which could be used to solve genetic prediction equations under a population level in purebred Boran cattle. In addition, heritability and genetic-correlation estimates found in the present study suggest that there is high genetic variability for most traits in Boran cattle, and that genetic progress is possible for all studied traits in this breed.
CONCLUSION
The Boran cattle breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce under high ambient temperature, utilize low quality forage resources, and resist water shortage or long watering intervals and tick infestations. However, currently there are several challenges such as recurrent droughts, pasture deterioration and lack of systematic selection and breeding programs that play to undermine the realization of the potential of the breed. Thus, we recommend systematic selection for enhancing the reproductive and production performances without compromising the adaptation traits of the breed coupled with improved management of rangelands.
Topics: Acclimatization; Adaptation, Physiological; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Breeding; Cattle; Climate Change; Crosses, Genetic; Ethiopia; Humans; Milk; Reproduction
PubMed: 34048433
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244836 -
Biomedicines Nov 2021Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comprises a group of disorders, in particular Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by chronic inflammation... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comprises a group of disorders, in particular Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by chronic inflammation affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The treatment of these conditions is primarily based on anti-inflammatory drugs, although the use of biological drugs with lower side effects quickly increased in the last decade. However, the presence of certain polymorphisms in the population may determine a different outcome in response to therapy, reflecting the heterogeneity of the efficacy in patients. Considering that several studies showed important correlations between genetic polymorphisms and response to biological treatments in IBD patients, this systematic review aims to summarize the pharmacogenetics of biologicals approved for IBD, thus highlighting a possible association between some polymorphisms and drug response. With this purpose, we reviewed PubMed papers published over the past 21 years (2000-2021), using as the search term "drug name and IBD or CD or UC and polymorphisms" to underline the role of pharmacogenetic tests in approaching the disease with a targeted therapy.
PubMed: 34944563
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121748 -
Journal of Preventive Medicine and... Dec 2020In industrialized countries, the routine use of Bordetella pertussis vaccines has shifted the burden of Bordetella pertussis disease from children to infants,... (Review)
Review
Immunogenicity and antibody persistence of diphteria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination in adolescents and adults: a systematic review of the literature showed different responses to the available vaccines.
INTRODUCTION
In industrialized countries, the routine use of Bordetella pertussis vaccines has shifted the burden of Bordetella pertussis disease from children to infants, adolescents and adults, leading to the necessity for booster doses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We prepared a review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) with the aims of: a) describing the immunogenicity of the main available vaccines for adolescents and adults; b) describing antibody persistence after immunization with the main vaccines available in childhood and adults and, also, possible co-administration; and c) identifying the gold standard for adolescent and adult immunizations.
RESULTS
We identified 6906 records. After removing duplicate records, we included 12 RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial) (people aged 11-73): 7 of these studies had only 1 control group, 4 had 2 control groups and 1 had 5 control groups; moreover, of the 12 studies included, only 2 regarded co-administration, while all concerned immunogenicity. Nine of the 12 studies had a Jadad score above 3 points, and 10 out of 12 met the criteria of Cochrane Back Review Group Criteria List for Methodological Quality Assessment.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
We found a limited number of good-quality RCTs investigating our object. The 5-component vaccines, although containing a lower dose of antigen, proved more effective than the 1-component vaccine. Evidence supports the use of 5-component vaccines for booster sessions in adolescence and adulthood.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Diphtheria; Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; Humans; Immunization, Secondary; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tetanus; Vaccination; Whooping Cough
PubMed: 33628957
DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.4.1832 -
Environmental Research Jan 2023Foraminifera are considered good bioindicators of environmental stress based on morphological abnormalities, but physiological responses occur far earlier and have not... (Review)
Review
Foraminifera are considered good bioindicators of environmental stress based on morphological abnormalities, but physiological responses occur far earlier and have not been evaluated as pollution markers. The aim of this review was to collate all published articles reporting physiological changes in foraminifera after environmental and anthropogenic stressors, to evaluate their reliability as early markers of environmental stress. We reviewed 70 studies, meeting the inclusion criteria, reporting 13 physiological effects classes after exposure to 17 different stressors. Immune functions, bleaching and lifecycle disruptions, were the most reported. Amphistegina and Ammonia showed high proportion of effects with lead and mercury, with a significant relationship between these heavy metals and the number of physiological effects classes in Ammonia, and between bleaching in Amphistegina gibbosa and Amphistegina lobifera with solar light and temperature. This suggests physiological responses are potentially reliable early indicators of environmental stress. It is necessary to increase quantitative physiological measures and standard exposure protocols in order to properly evaluate these organisms as pollution bioindicators.
Topics: Foraminifera; Environmental Biomarkers; Ammonia; Reproducibility of Results; Metals, Heavy; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 36270533
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114515