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Journal of Medicine and Life 2021Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) encompass a wide array of ailments affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles of mastication, and the allied...
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) encompass a wide array of ailments affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles of mastication, and the allied structural framework. Myofascial pain, internal derangement of the joint, and degenerative joint diseases constitute the majority of TMDs. TMDs usually have a multifactorial etiology, and treatment modalities range from conservative therapies to surgical interventions. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has evolved as an efficient non-invasive therapeutic modality in TMDs. Previously conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown variable results regarding the efficiency of LLLT in TMJ disorder patients. Hence, this systematic review was carried out as an attempt to evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder patients.
Topics: Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Publication Bias; Risk; Software; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
PubMed: 34104237
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2020-0169 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2019Reactive species produced in the cell during normal cellular metabolism can chemically react with cellular biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids,... (Review)
Review
Reactive species produced in the cell during normal cellular metabolism can chemically react with cellular biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, thereby causing their oxidative modifications leading to alterations in their compositions and potential damage to their cellular activities. Fortunately, cells have evolved several antioxidant defense mechanisms (as metabolites, vitamins, and enzymes) to neutralize or mitigate the harmful effect of reactive species and/or their byproducts. Any perturbation in the balance in the level of antioxidants and the reactive species results in a physiological condition called "oxidative stress." A catalase is one of the crucial antioxidant enzymes that mitigates oxidative stress to a considerable extent by destroying cellular hydrogen peroxide to produce water and oxygen. Deficiency or malfunction of catalase is postulated to be related to the pathogenesis of many age-associated degenerative diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, vitiligo, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, cancer, and schizophrenia. Therefore, efforts are being undertaken in many laboratories to explore its use as a potential drug for the treatment of such diseases. This paper describes the direct and indirect involvement of deficiency and/or modification of catalase in the pathogenesis of some important diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, vitiligo, and acatalasemia. Details on the efforts exploring the potential treatment of these diseases using a catalase as a protein therapeutic agent have also been described.
Topics: Aging; Alzheimer Disease; Catalase; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Parkinson Disease; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 31827713
DOI: 10.1155/2019/9613090 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jul 2022The 'Focal Infection Era in Dentistry' in the late 19th and early 20th century resulted in widespread implementation of tooth extraction and limited the progress of... (Review)
Review
The 'Focal Infection Era in Dentistry' in the late 19th and early 20th century resulted in widespread implementation of tooth extraction and limited the progress of endodontics. The theory proposed that bacteria and toxins entrapped in dentinal tubules could disseminate systemically to remote body parts, resulting in many types of degenerative systemic diseases. This theory was eventually refuted due to anecdotal evidence. However, lately there has been increased interest in investigating whether endodontic disease could have an impact on general health. There are reviews that have previously been carried out on this subject, but as new data have emerged since then, this review aims to appraise the available literature investigating the dynamic associations between apical periodontitis, endodontic treatment, and systemic health. The available evidence regarding focal infection theory, bacteraemia and inflammatory markers was appraised. The review also collated the available research arguing the associations of apical periodontitis with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, adverse pregnancy outcome and autoimmune disorders, along with the effect of statins and immunomodulators on apical periodontitis prevalence and endodontic treatment prognosis. There is emerging evidence that bacteraemia and low-grade systemic inflammation associated with apical periodontitis may negatively impact systemic health, e.g., development of cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and diabetic metabolic dyscontrol. However, there is limited information supporting the effect of diabetes mellitus or autoimmune disorders on the prevalence and prognosis post endodontic treatment. Furthermore, convincing evidence supports that successful root canal treatment has a beneficial impact on systemic health by reducing the inflammatory burden, thereby dismissing the misconceptions of focal infection theory. Although compelling evidence regarding the association between apical periodontitis and systemic health is present, further high-quality research is required to support and establish the benefits of endodontic treatment on systemic health.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Bacteremia; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Focal Infection; Humans; Periapical Periodontitis; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35888650
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070931 -
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) Mar 2024The aim of this literature review was to summarize novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging biomarkers that have recently been described in the literature and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aim of this literature review was to summarize novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging biomarkers that have recently been described in the literature and are frequently encountered clinically.
METHODS
The literature was reviewed to identify novel OCT biomarkers reported to date. A descriptive summary of all terms and representative illustrations were provided to highlight the most relevant features.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven OCT terminologies were identified. The vitreomacular interface disorder group included the four stages of epiretinal membrane, macular pseudohole, tractional lamellar hole (LH), degenerative LH, cotton ball sign, and foveal crack sign. The age-related macular degeneration group included outer retinal tubulation, multilayered pigment epithelial detachment, prechoroidal cleft, onion sign, double-layer sign, complete outer retinal atrophy, complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy, and reticular pseudodrusen. The uveitic disorder group consisted of bacillary layer detachment, syphilis placoid, rain-cloud sign, and pitchfork sign. The disorders relating to the toxicity group included flying saucer sign and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor-associated retinopathy. The disorders associated with the systemic condition group included choroidal nodules and needle sign. The pachychoroid spectrum group included pachychoroid and brush border pattern. The vascular disorder group included pearl necklace sign, diffuse retinal thickening, disorganization of retinal inner layers, inner nuclear layer microcysts, hyperreflective retinal spots, paracentral acute middle maculopathy, and acute macular neuroretinopathy. The miscellaneous group included omega sign (ω), macular telangiectasia (type 2), and omega sign (Ω).
CONCLUSIONS
Thirty-seven OCT terminologies were summarized, and detailed illustrations consolidating the features of each biomarker were included. A nuanced understanding of OCT biomarkers and their clinical significance is essential because of their predictive and prognostic value.
Topics: Humans; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Epiretinal Membrane; Uveitis; Retinal Drusen; Biomarkers; Atrophy; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37903455
DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003974 -
Theranostics 2021Aging frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome that becomes more prevalent with advancing age. It constitutes a major health problem due to frequent adverse outcomes.... (Review)
Review
Aging frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome that becomes more prevalent with advancing age. It constitutes a major health problem due to frequent adverse outcomes. Frailty is characterized by disruption of physiological homeostasis and progressive decline of health status. Multiple factors contribute to development of frailty with advancing age, including genome instability, DNA damage, epigenetic alternations, stem cell exhaustion, among others. These interrelated factors comprehensively result in loss of tissue homeostasis and diminished reserve capacity in frailty. Therefore, the aged organism gradually represents symptoms of frailty with decline in physiological functions of organs. Notably, the brain, cardiovascular system, skeletal muscle, and endocrine system are intrinsically interrelated to frailty. The patients with frailty may display the diminished reserves capacity of organ systems. Due to the complex pathophysiology, no specific treatments have been approved for prevention of this syndrome. At such, effective strategies for intervening in pathogenic process to improve health status of frail patients are highly needed. Recent progress in cell-based therapy has greatly contributed to the amelioration of degenerative diseases related to age. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can exert regenerative effects and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Transplantation of MSCs represents as a promising therapeutic strategy to address the pathophysiologic problems of frail syndrome. Currently, MSC therapy have undergone the phase I and II trials in human subjects that have endorsed the safety and efficacy of MSCs for aging frailty. However, despite these positive results, caution is still needed with regard to potential to form tumors, and further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of MSC therapy.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Animals; Frail Elderly; Frailty; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Regenerative Medicine; Syndrome
PubMed: 33897874
DOI: 10.7150/thno.46436 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Oct 2019Degenerative lumbar spine disorders are common among musculoskeletal disorders. When disabling pain and radiculopathy persists after adequate course of rehabilitation... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of pre-surgery physiotherapy on walking ability and lower extremity strength in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder: Secondary outcomes of the PREPARE randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Degenerative lumbar spine disorders are common among musculoskeletal disorders. When disabling pain and radiculopathy persists after adequate course of rehabilitation and imaging confirms compressive pathology, surgical decompression is indicated. Prehabilitation aiming to augment functional capacity pre-surgery may improve physical function and activity levels pre and post-surgery. This study aims to evaluate the effect and dose-response of pre-surgery physiotherapy on quadriceps femoris strength and walking ability in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders compared to waiting-list controls and their association with postoperative physical activity level.
METHOD
In this single blinded, 2-arm randomised controlled trial, 197 patients were consecutively recruited. Inclusion criteria were: MRI confirmed diagnosis and scheduled for surgery due to disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis, ages 25-80 years. Patients were randomised to 9 weeks of pre-surgery physiotherapy or to waiting-list. Patient reported physical activity level, walking ability according to Oswestry Disability Index item 4, walking distance according to the SWESPINE national register and physical outcome measures including the timed ten-meter walk test, maximum voluntary isometric quadriceps femoris muscle strength, patient-rated were collected at baseline and follow-up. Parametric or non-parametric within and between group comparisons as well as multivariate regression was performed.
RESULTS
Patients who received pre-surgery physiotherapy significantly improved in all variables from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.001 - p < 0.05) and in comparison to waiting-list controls (p < 0.001 - p < 0.028). Patients adhering to ≥12 treatment sessions significantly improved in all variables (p < 0.001 - p < 0.032) and those receiving 0-11 treatment session in only normal walking speed (p0.035) but there were no significant differences when comparing dosages. Physical outcome measures after pre-surgery physiotherapy together significantly explain 27.5% of the variation in physical activity level 1 year after surgery with pre-surgery physical activity level having a significant multivariate association.
CONCLUSION
Pre-surgery physiotherapy increased walking ability and lower extremity strength in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorders compared to waiting-list controls. A clear treatment dose-response response relationship was not found. These results implicate that pre-surgery physiotherapy can influence functional capacity before surgical treatment and has moderate associations with maintained postoperative physical activity levels mostly explained by physical activity level pre-surgery.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT02454400 . Trial registration date: August 31st 2015, retrospectively registered.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Lower Extremity; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Physical Therapy Modalities; Preoperative Care; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome; Walking
PubMed: 31651299
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2850-3 -
Psychiatria Polska Oct 2022Dementia affects a significant portion of the population of elderly people and thus has become one of the most important health problems. At the same time, people with... (Review)
Review
Dementia affects a significant portion of the population of elderly people and thus has become one of the most important health problems. At the same time, people with dementia are more likely to be also affected by concomitant diseases. Cardiovascular factors seem to be of particular importance. It has been shown that problems regarding blood pressure as well as lipid and carbohydrate metabolism play a crucial role for the rate of cognitive deterioration in elderly individuals in both vascular cognitive impairments and primary degenerative impairments (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). A clear relationship is observed between vascular pathology and degenerative processes in the brain. The period of life in which the exposure to cardiovascular factors occurs seems to be key, and these relationships are best documented in middle age. With aging, their importance as factors accelerating the progression of cognitive impairments seems to diminish, especially in Alzheimer-type dementia. Research on the importance of comorbidity in dementia processes may be crucial for the development of prevention and therapy programs for dementia.
Topics: Middle Aged; Humans; Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction; Brain; Comorbidity
PubMed: 37074852
DOI: 10.12740/PP/150052