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Molecular Biology Reports Jan 2024Various viruses cause viral infection, and these viruses have different microscopic sizes, genetic material, and morphological forms. Due to a viral infection, the host... (Review)
Review
Various viruses cause viral infection, and these viruses have different microscopic sizes, genetic material, and morphological forms. Due to a viral infection, the host body induces defense mechanisms that activate the innate and adaptive immune system. sncRNAs are involved in various biological processes and play an essential role in antiviral response in viruses including ZIKV, HCV, DENV, SARS-CoV, and West Nile virus, and regulate the complex interactions between the viruses and host cells. This review discusses the role of miRNAs, siRNAs, piRNAs, and tiRNAs in antiviral response. Cellular miRNAs bind with virus mRNA and perform their antiviral response in multiple viruses. However, the chemical modifications of miRNA necessary to avoid nuclease attack, which is then involved with intracellular processing, have proven challenging for therapeutic replacement of miRNAs. siRNAs have significant antiviral responses by targeting any gene of interest along the correct nucleotide of targeting mRNA. Due to this ability, siRNAs have valuable characteristics in antiviral response for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, the researchers noted the involvement of piRNAs and tiRNAs in the antiviral response, yet their findings were deemed insignificant.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Small Untranslated; Piwi-Interacting RNA; Zika Virus Infection; Zika Virus; MicroRNAs; RNA, Small Interfering; RNA, Messenger; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 38227137
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09141-6 -
Clinical Genetics Mar 2022Advancements in genetic sequencing techniques along with the identification of specific mutations and structural changes in multiple cancer genes, make it possible to... (Review)
Review
Advancements in genetic sequencing techniques along with the identification of specific mutations and structural changes in multiple cancer genes, make it possible to identify circulating tumor cells and cell free nucleic acids as blood-based biomarkers, serving as a liquid biopsy (LB) with great utility for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with neoplasms. This systematic review focuses on the clinical utility of LB in patients with breast cancer (BC). Articles published between 1990 and 2021 were included. Databases searched: Trip Database, WoS, EMBASE, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Clinical Keys. Variables studied: Publication year, country, number of cases, primary study design, LB detection methods, genes found, overall survival, disease-free survival, stage, response to treatment, clinical utility, BC molecular type, systemic treatment and methodological quality of primary studies. Of 2619 articles, 74 were retained representing 12 658 patients, mainly cohort studies (66.2%), the majority were from China (15%) and Japan (12.2%). All primary studies described clinical stage and type of systemic treatment used. Most used biomarker detection method: DNA (52.7%) and type of analysis: quantification of total cfDNA (35.1%). PIK3CA mutation was most frequent (62.9%). Evidence suggests clinically useful applications of BC. Though heterogeneous, publications suggest that LB will constitute part of the standard diagnostic-therapeutic process of BC.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast Neoplasms; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids; Female; Humans; Liquid Biopsy; Mutation
PubMed: 34687555
DOI: 10.1111/cge.14077 -
The British Journal of Radiology Nov 2023We search the current literature on data regarding the role of RT in OM treatment, focusing on the improvement of symptoms and patient quality of life.
Radiotherapy of orbital metastases: a systematic review of management and treatment outcomes on behalf of palliative care study group of Italian association of radiotherapy and clinical oncology (AIRO).
OBJECTIVES
We search the current literature on data regarding the role of RT in OM treatment, focusing on the improvement of symptoms and patient quality of life.
METHODS
This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations.
RESULTS
From 340 citations, 60 papers were finally selected: 45 case reports and 15 case series. The case reports accounted for 47 patients. In 37/39 cases (95%), EBRT was done. Patients were mainly treated with 3DCRT, IMRT, and with SBRT. The most used RT regimens were 30 Gy in 10 fractions (23%) and 20-25 Gy in 5 fx (13%). No sever toxicity was reported. A median LC of 11 months (range 1-54 months) and a median OS of 12 months (range 1-54 months) were registered. Among the case series, a total of 457 patients were examined, 227 of whom underwent RT. The main used techniques were 3DCRT, CK, GK, SBRT, and BRT. RT doses could vary from 30 Gy/10 fractions to 60 Gy/30 fractions, 50 Gy/5 fractions, or 16.5-21 Gy in single fraction. No toxicity above G2 was reported. ORR could vary between 75 and 100%. Only two study provided information on response duration: a mean LC time of 22.8 months and a mean time to local progression of 5 months (range: 3-7). Regarding OS, the data were heterogeneous, ranging between 1 and 54 months.
CONCLUSIONS
RT for OM seems to be a safe and feasible option. More information on the RT ideal techniques and dose are still needed.
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE
This paper tried to sum up the few and fragmented data on the use of radiotherapy for orbital metastases: the possible option ranged from 3D- and 2D-CRT to SBRT, CK, and GK, with different possible fractionations (30Gy in 10 fractions, 60 Gy/30 fractions, 20-50 Gy/5 fractions, or 16.5-21 Gy in single fraction). Regardless of the chosen approach, almost all treated patients experienced a benefit after RT in terms of OM-related symptom intensity reduction and a good acute and late toxicity profile.
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; Quality of Life; Radiotherapy, Conformal; Treatment Outcome; Medical Oncology
PubMed: 37751164
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20230124 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2022Plant root traits play a crucial role in resource acquisition and crop performance when soil nutrient availability is low. However, the respective trait responses are...
Plant root traits play a crucial role in resource acquisition and crop performance when soil nutrient availability is low. However, the respective trait responses are complex, particularly at the field scale, and poorly understood due to difficulties in root phenotyping monitoring, inaccurate sampling, and environmental conditions. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 field studies to identify the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), or potassium (K) deficiencies on the root systems of common crops. Root length and biomass were generally reduced, while root length per shoot biomass was enhanced under N and P deficiency. Root length decreased by 9% under N deficiency and by 14% under P deficiency, while root biomass was reduced by 7% in N-deficient and by 25% in P-deficient soils. Root length per shoot biomass increased by 33% in N deficient and 51% in P deficient soils. The root-to-shoot ratio was often enhanced (44%) under N-poor conditions, but no consistent response of the root-to-shoot ratio to P-deficiency was found. Only a few K-deficiency studies suited our approach and, in those cases, no differences in morphological traits were reported. We encountered the following drawbacks when performing this analysis: limited number of root traits investigated at field scale, differences in the timing and severity of nutrient deficiencies, missing data (e.g., soil nutrient status and time of stress), and the impact of other conditions in the field. Nevertheless, our analysis indicates that, in general, nutrient deficiencies increased the root-length-to-shoot-biomass ratios of crops, with impacts decreasing in the order deficient P > deficient N > deficient K. Our review resolved inconsistencies that were often found in the individual field experiments, and led to a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying root plasticity in fields with low nutrient availability.
PubMed: 36684760
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1067498 -
Sports Medicine - Open Jun 2023The quantity and quality of skeletal muscle are important determinants of daily function and metabolic health. Various forms of physical exercise can improve muscle...
BACKGROUND
The quantity and quality of skeletal muscle are important determinants of daily function and metabolic health. Various forms of physical exercise can improve muscle function, but this effect can be inconsistent and has not been systematically examined across the health-neurological disease continuum. The purpose of this systematic scoping review with meta-analyses was to determine the effects and potential moderators of exercise training on morphological and neuromuscular muscle quality (MMQ, NMQ) in healthy older individuals. In addition and in the form of a scoping review, we examined the effects of exercise training on NMQ and MMQ in individuals with neurological conditions.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in the electronic databases Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials were included that examined the effects of exercise training on muscle quality (MQ) in older individuals with and without neurological conditions. Risk of bias and study quality were assessed (Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0). We performed random-effects models using robust variance estimation and tested moderators using the approximate Hotelling-Zhang test.
RESULTS
Thirty studies (n = 1494, 34% females) in healthy older individuals and no studies in individuals with neurological conditions were eligible for inclusion. Exercise training had small effects on MMQ (g = 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.40, p = 0.029). Heterogeneity was low (median I = 16%). Training and demographic variables did not moderate the effects of exercise on MMQ. There was no association between changes in MMQ and changes in functional outcomes. Exercise training improved NMQ (g = 0.68, 95% CI 0.35-1.01, p < 0.000) across all studies, in particular in higher-functioning older individuals (g = 0.72, 95% CI 0.38-1.06, p < 0.001), in lower extremity muscles (g = 0.74, 95% CI 0.35-1.13, p = 0.001), and after resistance training (g = 0.91; 95% CI 0.42-1.41, p = 0.001). Heterogeneity was very high (median I = 79%). Of the training and demographic variables, only resistance training moderated the exercise-effects on NMQ. High- versus low-intensity exercise moderated the exercise-effects on NMQ, but these effects were considered unreliable due to a low number of studies at high intensity. There was no association between changes in NMQ and changes in functional outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Exercise training has small effects on MMQ and medium-large effects on NMQ in healthy older individuals. There was no association between improvements in MQ and increases in muscle strength, mobility, and balance. Information on dose-response relations following training is currently lacking. There is a critical gap in muscle quality data for older individuals with lower function and neurological conditions after exercise training. Health practitioners should use resistance training to improve muscle function in older individuals. Well-designed studies are needed to examine the relevance of exercise training-induced changes in MQ in daily function in older individuals, especially to those with lower function and neurological conditions.
PubMed: 37278947
DOI: 10.1186/s40798-023-00585-5 -
Adverse effects of orthodontic forces on dental pulp. Appearance and character. A systematic review.Acta Odontologica Scandinavica May 2023To comprehensively assess recent data on the effects of orthodontic forces on the dental pulp and to critically evaluate, whether any of the changes are permanent.
OBJECTIVE
To comprehensively assess recent data on the effects of orthodontic forces on the dental pulp and to critically evaluate, whether any of the changes are permanent.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Articles published between 2/2009 and 2/2022 were searched electronically on the PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases. The initial search retrieved 780 publications and, applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 33 relevant articles were identified. Twenty articles fulfilled the requirements for high ( = 1) or moderate ( = 19) methodological quality and were included. All assessments were made independently by three researchers.
RESULTS
Orthodontic forces appeared to cause a reduction in pulpal blood flow and a reduction in tooth sensibility, as indicated by increased response thresholds and increased amounts of negative responses to tooth sensibility tests. In addition, there were increases in the expression or activity levels of enzymes and neuropeptides associated with hypoxia and inflammation. Fibrotic tissue formation in the pulp was also reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Except for some histological and morphological alterations, the observed pulpal changes were in most cases only temporary, appearing within days of initiating the treatment and usually lasting for weeks. There were no clear signs of permanent damage.
Topics: Humans; Dental Pulp; Bite Force
PubMed: 36436210
DOI: 10.1080/00016357.2022.2137232 -
Journal of Functional Biomaterials Aug 2023Partial or complete dentures are constructed from thermoplastic resins that are thermally processed and molded. This review examines the presently available evidence for... (Review)
Review
Partial or complete dentures are constructed from thermoplastic resins that are thermally processed and molded. This review examines the presently available evidence for the cytotoxicity of thermoplasticized denture base resins on human gingival epithelial cells, adipose cells, and fibroblasts; human amnion fibroblasts; and mouse fibroblasts. Electronic searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant articles to be included in the review until September 2022. Clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies in English language were searched for. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Toxicological data Reliability Assessment tool (ToxRTool) developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. GRADE assessment was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Seven in vitro studies were included in the review. The overall risk of bias was determined to be high, with the majority of studies assessed found to be reliable with restrictions or not reliable. Only two studies were considered reliable without restrictions based on ToxRTool assessment. The effect of thermoplastic denture base resins on viability and cell adherence of human gingival or amnion fibroblasts and mouse fibroblasts (L929s) is not significant. Conditioned media from unpolished specimens of resins were significantly more toxic to cultured cells than those from polished specimens. This may be of concern in cases of poor post-processing of dentures. Based on the limited evidence available, there is low-certainty evidence that thermoplastic denture base resins appear to be biocompatible and show insignificant cytotoxicity. Further well-designed trials adhering to standard reporting guidelines and using objective measures are necessary before outlining universal guidelines for best practice. Long-term in vivo and clinical assessment is necessary to corroborate laboratory findings with clinical outcomes. Denture base resins are in constant contact with oral tissues, and cytotoxic components released by the resins may irritate or inflame the tissues or provoke an allergic response.
PubMed: 37623656
DOI: 10.3390/jfb14080411 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Translation Mar 2020Although emerging studies have provided evidence that osteocytes are actively involved in fracture healing, there is a general lack of a detailed understanding of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although emerging studies have provided evidence that osteocytes are actively involved in fracture healing, there is a general lack of a detailed understanding of the mechanistic pathway, cellular events and expression of markers at different phases of healing.
METHODS
This systematic review describes the role of osteocytes in fracture healing from early to late phase. Literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase. Original animal and clinical studies with available English full-text were included. Information was retrieved from the selected studies.
RESULTS
A total of 23 articles were selected in this systematic review. Most of the studies investigated changes of various genes and proteins expression patterns related to osteocytes. Several studies have described a constant expression of osteocyte-specific marker genes throughout the fracture healing cascade followed by decline phase with the progress of healing, denoting the important physiological role of the osteocyte and the osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network in fracture healing. The reports of various markers suggested that osteocytes could trigger coordinated bone healing responses from cell death and expression of proinflammatory markers cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin 6 at early phase of fracture healing. This is followed by the expression of growth factors bone morphogenetic protein-2 and cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 that matched with the neo-angiogenesis, chondrogenesis and callus formation during the intermediate phase. Tightly controlled regulation of osteocyte-specific markers E11/Podoplanin (E11), dentin matrix protein 1 and sclerostin modulate and promote osteogenesis, mineralisation and remodelling across different phases of fracture healing. Stabilised fixation was associated with the finding of higher number of osteocytes with little detectable bone morphogenetic proteins expressions in osteocytes. Sclerostin-antibody treatment was found to result in improvement in bone mass, bone strength and mineralisation.
CONCLUSION
To further illustrate the function of osteocytes, additional longitudinal studies with appropriate clinically relevant model to study osteoporotic fractures are crucial. Future investigations on the morphological changes of osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network during healing, osteocyte-mediated signalling molecules in the transforming growth factor-beta-Smad3 pathway, perilacunar remodelling, type of fixation and putative biomarkers to monitor fracture healing are highly desirable to bridge the current gaps of knowledge.The translational potential of this article: This systematic review provides an up-to-date chronological overview and highlights the osteocyte-regulated events at gene, protein, cellular and tissue levels throughout the fracture healing cascade, with the hope of informing and developing potential new therapeutic strategies that could improve the timing and quality of fracture healing in the future.
PubMed: 32309136
DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2019.07.005 -
Brain Imaging and Behavior Dec 2022Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive that can lead to high copper concentrations and copper accumulation in bodily organs, specifically the liver, nervous... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive that can lead to high copper concentrations and copper accumulation in bodily organs, specifically the liver, nervous system, and cornea of the eye. Previous meta-analysis studies have evaluated literature reports of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize brain microstructural abnormalities in specific neurological diseases, but there have been no systematic reviews of DTI findings in Wilson's disease (WD). Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review studies reporting DTI findings in patients with WD.
METHODS
This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched on May 6, 2021. We then performed a two-step screening process comprising title/abstract and full-text screening phases. Data from the included studies were then extracted.
RESULTS
We found 10 eligible studies. Most of the included studies identified altered DTI metrics. Affected brain regions included the basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, cerebellum, corpus callosum, projection and association fibers. DTI alterations were also observed in patients clinically presenting with hepatic-only WD without neurological symptoms. DTI alterations preceded structural magnetic resonance imaging findings in studies of the thalamus and frontal and occipital lobe white matter changes. The extent of DTI alterations correlated with disease severity and clinical disability, cognitive memory declines, and asymmetry in motor symptoms in several studies.
CONCLUSIONS
DTI allows early detection of brain abnormalities associated with WD, prior to the occurrence of morphological brain changes by MRI. Correlations with treatment outcomes and clinical severity may provide objective and quantitative assessment of early and ongoing treatment response. Future studies are required to elucidate the role of DTI in WD clinical practice and find the most consistent DTI markers that may improve clinical outcome.
Topics: Humans; Hepatolenticular Degeneration; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Copper; Brain
PubMed: 36327021
DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00733-7 -
Molecular Mechanisms of ZIKV-Induced Teratogenesis: A Systematic Review of Studies in Animal Models.Molecular Neurobiology Jan 2023Zika virus (ZIKV) is a teratogen that causes congenital anomalies, being linked to microcephaly in children exposed during pregnancy. Animal studies have been conducted... (Review)
Review
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a teratogen that causes congenital anomalies, being linked to microcephaly in children exposed during pregnancy. Animal studies have been conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms related to ZIKV teratogenesis. Although animal models can mimic the effects of ZIKV in human embryo development, few in vivo studies have addressed molecular changes following ZIKV infection in embryos. Moreover, few literature reviews have been conducted with these studies. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of ZIKV teratogenesis determined from studies in animal models. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus as well as grey literature were searched for studies that evaluated molecular alterations related to ZIKV teratogenesis which occurred during embryonic development. Nine studies were included: six with mice, one with mice and guinea pigs, one with pigs and one with chickens. In general, studies presented an unclear or high risk of bias for methodological criteria. Most of studies reported embryos exposed to ZIKV presenting microcephaly, reduced cortex thickness, and growth restriction. Different techniques were used to evaluated molecular changes in the animals following ZIKV infection: RNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, and in situ hybridization. It was found that common pathways are changed in most studies, being pathways related to immune response upregulated and those involved to neurodevelopment downregulated.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Child; Female; Animals; Mice; Guinea Pigs; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection; Microcephaly; Teratogenesis; Chickens; Nervous System Malformations; Models, Animal
PubMed: 36215025
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03046-4