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Frontiers in Genetics 2021Schizophrenia is a disorder that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and socio-occupational impairment. The duration of...
Schizophrenia is a disorder that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and socio-occupational impairment. The duration of observation and variability in symptoms can make the accurate diagnosis difficult. Identification of biomarkers for schizophrenia (SCZ) can help in early diagnosis, ascertaining the diagnosis, and development of effective treatment strategies. Here we review peripheral blood-based gene expression studies for identification of gene expression biomarkers for SCZ. A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science databases for blood-based gene expression studies in SCZ. A list of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was compiled and analyzed for overlap with genetic markers, differences based on drug status of the participants, functional enrichment, and for effect of antipsychotics. This literature survey identified 61 gene expression studies. Seventeen out of these studies were based on expression microarrays. A comparative analysis of the DEGs ( = 227) from microarray studies revealed differences between drug-naive and drug-treated SCZ participants. We found that of the 227 DEGs, 11 genes () also showed genetic and epigenetic changes associated with SCZ. Functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed dysregulation of proline and 4-hydroxyproline metabolism. Also, arginine and proline metabolism was the most functionally enriched pathway for SCZ in our analysis. Follow-up studies identified effect of antipsychotic treatment on peripheral blood gene expression. Of the 27 genes compiled from the follow-up studies , and had no effect on their expression status as a result of antipsychotic treatment. Despite the differences in the nature of the study, ethnicity of the population, and the gene expression analysis method used, we identified several coherent observations. An overlap, though limited, of genetic, epigenetic and gene expression changes supports interplay of genetic and environmental factors in SCZ. The studies validate the use of blood as a surrogate tissue for biomarker analysis. We conclude that well-designed cohort studies across diverse populations, use of high-throughput sequencing technology, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) based computational analysis will significantly improve our understanding and diagnostic capabilities for this complex disorder.
PubMed: 34721526
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.736483 -
Journal of Food Science Feb 2024This systematic review paper aims to discuss the trend in quality assessment properties and constituents of honey at different storage conditions and confer the possible... (Review)
Review
This systematic review paper aims to discuss the trend in quality assessment properties and constituents of honey at different storage conditions and confer the possible whys and wherefores associated with the significant changes. Initially, a literature search was conducted through Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus databases. In total, 43 manuscripts published between 2001 and 2023 that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were chosen for the review. As an outcome of this review, prolonged honey storage could deteriorate sensory, nutritional, and antioxidant properties and promote fermentation, granulation, microbial growth, carcinogenicity, organotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. This systematic review also recognized that diastase activity, invertase activity, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content, proline content, sugar content, amino acids, and vitamins could be used as indicators to distinguish fresh and stored honey based on the significant test (p-value) in the reported studies. However, all the reported studies used the simplest approach (one-way ANOVA) to identify the significant differences in the analyzed parameter during the storage period and none of them reported an approach to identify the most influential parameter at different storage conditions. In conclusion, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (supervised multivariate statistical tool) has to be employed in future studies to find the most influential parameter and could be used to potent chemical markers to distinguish fresh and stored honey because this analysis is incorporated with S-plot, variable importance of projection, and one-way ANOVA, which can produce the most accurate and precise results rather solely depending on one-way ANOVA.
Topics: Honey; Antioxidants; Carbohydrates; Amino Acids; Proline
PubMed: 38224177
DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16921 -
Shoulder & Elbow Apr 2021The EVOLVE implant (Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN, USA) is a modular loose-fitting radial head prosthesis. The primary objective was to synthesize all... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The EVOLVE implant (Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN, USA) is a modular loose-fitting radial head prosthesis. The primary objective was to synthesize all available literature investigating the midterm clinical outcomes of the EVOLVE implant.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An electronic literature search in Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane library was performed querying for studies published in 2000-2017. Articles describing clinical and radiographical outcomes as well as reoperation were included. Outcomes of interest included range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand, radiographic outcome, and reason for reoperation.
RESULTS
A total of five articles consisting of 146 patients with EVOLVE implants were included. Mean patient age was 57.4 years (range 22-84), and 43.8% were males (n = 64). Mean follow-up was 4.8 years (range 1-14). Mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand score were 87.6 (range 30-100) and 18.9 (range 0-82), respectively. Midterm clinical results were good or excellent (Mayo Elbow Performance Score > 74) in 94 patients. Reoperation was observed in 12 patients, with implant revision required in 2 patients. The primary reason for reoperation was persistent stiffness (n = 9).
CONCLUSION
Midterm outcomes of EVOLVE radial head prosthesis are satisfactory, and associated complication rates are low. Loose-fit implant method appears to be a reliable approach to avoid failure of radial head prosthesis by painful loosening.
PubMed: 33897852
DOI: 10.1177/1758573219850111 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Dec 2020Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elderly, and the exact pathogenesis of the AMD remains unclear. The purpose of...
PURPOSE
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elderly, and the exact pathogenesis of the AMD remains unclear. The purpose of this review is to summarize potential metabolic biomarkers and pathways of AMD that might facilitate risk predictions and clinical diagnoses of AMD.
METHODS
We obtained relevant publications of metabolomics studies of human beings by systematically searching the MEDLINE (PubMed) database before June 2020. Studies were included if they performed mass spectrometry-based or nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics approach for humans. In addition, AMD was assessed from fundus photographs based on standardized protocols. The metabolic pathway analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 3.0.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included in this review. Repeatedly identified metabolites including phenylalanine, adenosine, hypoxanthine, tyrosine, creatine, citrate, carnitine, proline, and maltose have the possibility of being biomarkers of AMD. Validation of the biomarker panels was observed in one study. Dysregulation of metabolic pathways involves lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and translation, which might play important roles in the development and progression of AMD.
CONCLUSIONS
This review summarizes the potential metabolic biomarkers and pathways related to AMD, providing opportunities for the construction of diagnostic or predictive models for AMD and the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Macular Degeneration; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Metabolomics; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33315052
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.13 -
Pharmacological Research May 2020The effect of roxadustat (FG-4592) on individuals with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients receiving or not receiving the dialysis was unclear. The aim of this study... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Roxadustat (FG-4592) treatment for anemia in dialysis-dependent (DD) and not dialysis-dependent (NDD) chronic kidney disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The effect of roxadustat (FG-4592) on individuals with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients receiving or not receiving the dialysis was unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in patients who are dialysis dependent (DD) or dialysis independent (NDD) CKD. We performed a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment with roxadustat versus placebo or epoetin alfa up to November 2019. We investigated the efficacy of roxadustat in the levels of hemoglobin and other clinical parameters in renal anemia in patients with NDD and DD-CKD. We estimated weighted-mean difference (WMD) using random effect models. We included six RCTs comprising 1001 patients of whom 70.6 % were treated with roxadustat and 294 controls. The control group for studies of NDD-CKD patients was placebo whereas an active control of epoetin-alfa was used in studies of DD-CKD patients. Median follow-up time was 8 weeks. All trials were industry-sponsored. Overall, roxadustat increased hemoglobin levels by 1.20 g/dl (95 % CI:0.66, 1.75,P < 0.0001,I = 99.3 %). Hemoglobin levels increased by 1.99 g/dl in NDD-CKD patients versus placebo and 0.52 g/dl in DD-CKD patients versus epoetin-alfa. Roxadustat was associated with a decrease the levels of hepcidin by -49.3 ng/dl (-38.5 ng/dl in NDD patients versus placebo and -27.7 ng/dl in DD patients versus epoetin alfa), a decrease in ferritin of -49.7 μmol/l (-52.2 μmol/l in NDD patients versus placebo and -7.3 μmol/l in DD patients versus epoetin alfa), and increase in total iron-binding capacity of 32.2 μmol/l (14.1 μmol/l in NDD patients versus placebo and 13.6 μmol/l in DD patients versus epoetin alfa). The percentage change in the transferrin saturation levels was -2.07 % (-6%, NDD patients versus placebo, and +3.7 % in DD patients versus epoetin alfa) in anemia associated CKD patients. This review found roxadustast increases the levels of hemoglobin, serum transferrin, intestinal iron absorption, and reduces hepcidin in both NDD and DD-CKD patients. Safety data is still emerging.
Topics: Anemia; Glycine; Humans; Isoquinolines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Dialysis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 32171893
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104747 -
Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism Mar 2022
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and safety of efpeglenatide in adults with obesity and its associated metabolic disturbance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Obesity; Proline; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34766431
DOI: 10.1111/dom.14602 -
International Journal of Obesity (2005) Feb 2024Overweight and obesity are the consequence of a sustained positive energy balance. Twin studies show high heritability rates pointing to genetics as one of the principal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Overweight and obesity are the consequence of a sustained positive energy balance. Twin studies show high heritability rates pointing to genetics as one of the principal risk factors. By 2022, genomic studies led to the identification of almost 300 obesity-associated variants that could help to fill the gap of the high heritability rates. The endocannabinoid system is a critical regulator of metabolism for its effects on the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a key enzyme in the inactivation of one of the two endocannabinoids, anandamide, and of its congeners. The rs324420 variant within the FAAH gene is a nucleotide missense change at position 385 from cytosine to adenine, resulting in a non-synonymous amino acid substitution from proline to threonine in the FAAH enzyme. This change increases sensitivity to proteolytic degradation, leading to reduced FAAH levels and increased levels of anandamide, associated with obesity-related traits. However, association studies of this variant with metabolic parameters have found conflicting results. This work aims to perform a systematic review of the existing literature on the association of the rs324420 variant in the FAAH gene with obesity and its related traits.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. A total of 645 eligible studies were identified for the review.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS
After the identification, duplicate elimination, title and abstract screening, and full-text evaluation, 28 studies were included, involving 28 183 individuals. We show some evidence of associations between the presence of the variant allele and higher body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass, and waist-to-hip ratio levels and alterations in glucose and lipid homeostasis. However, this evidence should be taken with caution, as many included studies did not report a significant difference between genotypes. These discordant results could be explained mainly by the pleiotropy of the endocannabinoid system, the increase of other anandamide-like mediators metabolized by FAAH, and the influence of gene-environment interactions. More research is necessary to study the endocannabinoidomic profiles and their association with metabolic diseases.
Topics: Humans; Endocannabinoids; Obesity; Phenotype; Amidohydrolases; Arachidonic Acids; Polyunsaturated Alkamides
PubMed: 38114812
DOI: 10.1038/s41366-023-01428-9 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2020Soil salinity often hinders plant productivity in both natural and agricultural settings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) symbionts can mediate plant stress...
Soil salinity often hinders plant productivity in both natural and agricultural settings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) symbionts can mediate plant stress responses by enhancing salinity tolerance, but less attention has been devoted to measuring these effects across plant-AMF studies. We performed a meta-analysis of published studies to determine how AMF symbionts influence plant responses under non-stressed vs. salt-stressed conditions. Compared to non-AMF plants, AMF plants had significantly higher shoot and root biomass ( < 0.0001) both under non-stressed conditions and in the presence of varying levels of NaCl salinity in soil, and the differences became more prominent as the salinity stress increased. Categorical analyses revealed that the accumulation of plant shoot and root biomass was influenced by various factors, such as the host life cycle and lifestyle, the fungal group, and the duration of the AMF and salinity treatments. More specifically, the effect of on plant shoot biomass was more prominent as the salinity level increased. Additionally, under stress, AMF increased shoot biomass more on plants that are dicots, plants that have nodulation capacity and plants that use the C3 plant photosynthetic pathway. When plants experienced short-term stress (<2 weeks), the effect of AMF was not apparent, but under longer-term stress (>4 weeks), AMF had a distinct effect on the plant response. For the first time, we observed significant phylogenetic signals in plants and mycorrhizal species in terms of their shoot biomass response to moderate levels of salinity stress, i.e., closely related plants had more similar responses, and closely related mycorrhizal species had similar effects than distantly related species. In contrast, the root biomass accumulation trait was related to fungal phylogeny only under non-stressed conditions and not under stressed conditions. Additionally, the influence of AMF on plant biomass was found to be unrelated to plant phylogeny. In line with the greater biomass accumulation in AMF plants, AMF improved the water status, photosynthetic efficiency and uptake of Ca and K in plants irrespective of salinity stress. The uptake of N and P was higher in AMF plants, and as the salinity increased, the trend showed a decline but had a clear upturn as the salinity stress increased to a high level. The activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the proline content changed due to AMF treatment under salinity stress. The accumulation of proline and catalase (CAT) was observed only when plants experienced moderate salinity stress, but peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased in AMF plants irrespective of salinity stress. Taken together, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influenced plant growth and physiology, and their effects were more notable when their host plants experienced salinity stress and were influenced by plant and fungal traits.
PubMed: 33362816
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.588550 -
Clinics and Research in Hepatology and... Mar 2022Biofilm-producing bacteria are relatively resistant to antibiotics, as the penetration of antibiotics into the endopolysaccharide envelope is incomplete. N Acetyl... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Biofilm-producing bacteria are relatively resistant to antibiotics, as the penetration of antibiotics into the endopolysaccharide envelope is incomplete. N Acetyl cysteine (NAC) is known to destabilize the biofilms, as it cleaves the disulfide bonds of mucus glycoproteins, reducing the viscosity and thickness of mucus. This allows NAC to act synergistically with antibiotics for the eradication of H Pylori. The meta-analysis evaluates the evidence of the efficacy of adjuvant N acetyl cysteine (NAC) compared to standard therapies in the eradication of H. Pylori infections.
METHODS
We searched randomized clinical trials in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), EBSCO, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), and Google Scholar. We included trials comparing standard treatment protocols plus adjuvant NAC and the same regimen without NAC. These studies included adults with a diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Our primary outcome was the successful eradication of H. Pylori. The results were pooled using a random-effects model, and data were analyzed using RevMan 5.0 software. Cochrane collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Publication bias and other inconsistencies were assessed. Sensitivity analyses and grading of evidence were performed.
FINDINGS
Eight studies, comprising 1167 patients, were included in the meta-analysis, the pooled outcomes of patients on adjuvant NAC+ standard eradication therapy noted an eradication rate of 76.1% (n=581) compared to the patients in standard eradication therapy with a rate of 72.18% (n=586), RR 1.17 [95% CI (0.99, 1.39); I2= 64%; p value=0.07]. Moderate to severe heterogeneity was noted. These pooled results show that adjuvant NAC plus standard treatment protocols are not superior to standard treatment protocols for H pylori eradication. Similar results were seen in the use of adjuvant NAC with 'currently used standard treatment protocols' (78.3% versus 76.3%, RR 1.08, [95% CI 0.94 to 1.25]; I2=55%; p=0.28; n= 829 patients], as well as in the treatment of naïve patients (79.8% versus 80.9%, RR 1.00[95% CI 0.87 to 1.15]; i2=27%; P=-0.98; n= 775 patients].
CONCLUSION
Adjuvant NAC plus standard treatment protocols are not superior to standard treatment protocols for H. pylori eradication. These findings are consistent with the use of adjuvant NAC with 'currently used standard treatment protocols' (clarithromycin-based triple therapies) and also with adjuvant NAC used in the treatment of naïve patients. We are moderately certain of these findings. Future studies could explore the use of NAC as a pretreatment before using the current standard therapies in the eradication of H. Pylori rather than NAC as adjuvant therapy.
FUNDING
None.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clarithromycin; Cysteine; Drug Therapy, Combination; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34775122
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2021.101832 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Nov 2019Galectin-3 is a M 31,000 protein that belongs to a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. Galectin-3 has already been associated with protection against apoptosis...
PURPOSE
Galectin-3 is a M 31,000 protein that belongs to a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. Galectin-3 has already been associated with protection against apoptosis through cell to cell or cell to matrix adhesion processes. It seems that galectin-3 plays an important role in tumor progression, cell growth, invasion and metastasis. Galectin-3 is the only member of the chimeric galectins that has an N-terminal glycine and proline domain and a C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain that allows galectin-3 to accommodate larger structures such us polylactosaminoglycans and intervene to DNA damage repair process. In this systematic review, our primary goal is to identify the effect of galectin-3 expression in association with drug resistance and apoptosis inhibition in breast cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Scopus and PubMed databases were searched on 26 November 2018 using the following combination of keywords: (galectin-3 OR gal-3 OR LGALS3) AND (breast cancer) AND (chemoresistance OR (drug resistance) OR chemosensitivity). All the articles in English, regardless the time of publication, text availability and species included were initially accepted.
RESULTS
In the majority of the included studies, the expression of galectin-3 had a protective role in cell survival via different pathways such as the response to DNA damage and repair or the inhibition of apoptosis after treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent.
CONCLUSION
Galectin-3 expression in breast tumors might be an important factor in the selection of the most suitable treatment.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Blood Proteins; Breast Neoplasms; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Galectin 3; Galectins; Humans
PubMed: 31502061
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-019-05292-9