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Translational Psychiatry Jun 2023Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a very prevalent mental disorder that imposes an enormous burden on individuals, society, and health care systems. Most patients... (Review)
Review
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a very prevalent mental disorder that imposes an enormous burden on individuals, society, and health care systems. Most patients benefit from commonly used treatment methods such as pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). However, the clinical decision on which treatment method to use remains generally informed and the individual clinical response is difficult to predict. Most likely, a combination of neural variability and heterogeneity in MDD still impedes a full understanding of the disorder, as well as influences treatment success in many cases. With the help of neuroimaging methods like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the brain can be understood as a modular set of functional and structural networks. In recent years, many studies have investigated baseline connectivity biomarkers of treatment response and the connectivity changes after successful treatment. Here, we systematically review the literature and summarize findings from longitudinal interventional studies investigating the functional and structural connectivity in MDD. By compiling and discussing these findings, we recommend the scientific and clinical community to deepen the systematization of findings to pave the way for future systems neuroscience roadmaps that include brain connectivity parameters as a possible precision component of the clinical evaluation and therapeutic decision.
Topics: Humans; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Brain; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37296121
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02499-y -
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 2023Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, marked by an unpredictable course, high morbidity, and increased mortality risk that occurs especially in the... (Review)
Review
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, marked by an unpredictable course, high morbidity, and increased mortality risk that occurs especially in the diffuse and rapidly progressive forms of the disease, characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and endothelial dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that the identification of altered metabolic pathways may play a key role in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, metabolomics might be pivotal in a better understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms. Through a systematic review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines (PRISMA), searches were done in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from 2000 to September 2022. Three researchers independently reviewed the literature and extracted the data based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the screened studies, 26 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 151 metabolites were differentially distributed between SSc patients and healthy controls (HC). The main deregulated metabolites were those derived from amino acids, specifically homocysteine (Hcy), proline, alpha-N-phenylacetyl-L-glutamine, glutamine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), citrulline and ornithine, kynurenine (Kyn), and tryptophan (Trp), as well as acylcarnitines associated with long-chain fatty acids and tricarboxylic acids such as citrate and succinate. Additionally, differences in metabolic profiling between SSc subtypes were identified. The diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) subtype showed upregulated amino acid-related pathways involved in fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis. Lastly, potential biomarkers were evaluated for the diagnosis of SSc, the identification of the dcSSc subtype, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and interstitial lung disease. These potential biomarkers are within amino acids, nucleotides, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrate metabolism. The altered metabolite mechanisms identified in this study mostly point to perturbations in amino acid-related pathways, fatty acid beta-oxidation, and in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, possibly associated with inflammation, vascular damage, fibrosis, and gut dysbiosis. Further studies in targeted metabolomics are required to evaluate potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response.
PubMed: 37614441
DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1215039 -
Neuro-oncology Advances 2022A comprehensive review and description of the clinical features that impact prognosis for patients with diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3 G34-mutant (G34-DHG) is needed....
BACKGROUND
A comprehensive review and description of the clinical features that impact prognosis for patients with diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3 G34-mutant (G34-DHG) is needed. Understanding survival and prognostic features is paramount for clinical advancements and patient care.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for English articles published between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2021. Eligible studies included patient(s) of any age diagnosed with an H3 G34-mutant brain tumor with at least one measure of survival or progression. Patient-level data were pooled for analyses. This study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021267764) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven studies met the criteria with a total of 135 patients included. Median age at diagnosis was 15.8 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 13.3-22.0) with 90% having localized disease. Co-occurring alterations included mutation in 93%, mutation in 88%, and promoter methylation in 70%. Median time-to-progression was 10.0 months (IQR: 6.0-18.0) and median overall survival was 17.3 months (95% CI: 15.0 to 22.9). The median time from progression to death was 5.0 months (IQR: 3.0-11.7). Factors associated with survival duration were age, as patients ≥18 y/o demonstrated longer survival (hazard ratio [HR] =2.05, 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.62), and degree of upfront resection, as near or gross-total resection demonstrated longer survival compared to those with less than near-total resection (HR = 3.75, 95% CI: 2.11 to 6.62).
CONCLUSION
This systematic review highlights available clinical data for G34-DHG demonstrating poor outcomes and important prognostic features, while serving as a baseline for future research and clinical trials.
PubMed: 36105387
DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac133 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Gliomas are the most common brain tumor in adults, and molecularly targeted therapies to treat gliomas are becoming a frequent topic of investigation. The current state... (Review)
Review
Gliomas are the most common brain tumor in adults, and molecularly targeted therapies to treat gliomas are becoming a frequent topic of investigation. The current state of molecular targeted therapy research for adult-type diffuse gliomas has yet to be characterized, particularly following the 2021 WHO guideline changes for classifying gliomas using molecular subtypes. This systematic review sought to characterize the current state of molecular target therapy research for adult-type diffuse glioma to better inform scientific progress and guide next steps in this field of study. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were queried for study design, subject (patients, human cell lines, mice, etc.), type of tumor studied, molecular target, respective molecular pathway, and details pertaining to the molecular targeted therapy-namely the modality, dose, and duration of treatment. A total of 350 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 52 of these were clinical studies, 190 were laboratory studies investigating existing molecular therapies, and 108 were laboratory studies investigating new molecular targets. Further, a total of 119 ongoing clinical trials are also underway, per a detailed query on clinicaltrials.gov. GBM was the predominant tumor studied in both ongoing and published clinical studies as well as in laboratory analyses. A few studies mentioned IDH-mutant astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas. The most common molecular targets in published clinical studies and clinical trials were protein kinase pathways, followed by microenvironmental targets, immunotherapy, and cell cycle/apoptosis pathways. The most common molecular targets in laboratory studies were also protein kinase pathways; however, cell cycle/apoptosis pathways were the next most frequent target, followed by microenvironmental targets, then immunotherapy pathways, with the wnt/β-catenin pathway arising in the cohort of novel targets. In this systematic review, we examined the current evidence on molecular targeted therapy for adult-type diffuse glioma and discussed its implications for clinical practice and future research. Ultimately, published research falls broadly into three categories-clinical studies, laboratory testing of existing therapies, and laboratory identification of novel targets-and heavily centers on GBM rather than IDH-mutant astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma. Ongoing clinical trials are numerous in this area of research as well and follow a similar pattern in tumor type and targeted pathways as published clinical studies. The most common molecular targets in all study types were protein kinase pathways. Microenvironmental targets were more numerous in clinical studies, whereas cell cycle/apoptosis were more numerous in laboratory studies. Immunotherapy pathways are on the rise in all study types, and the wnt/β-catenin pathway is increasingly identified as a novel target.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Animals; Mice; Molecular Targeted Therapy; beta Catenin; Mutation; Glioma; Brain Neoplasms; Oligodendroglioma; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
PubMed: 37445633
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310456 -
The Lancet. Planetary Health Sep 2021Non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises a heterogeneous group of cancers with unresolved aetiology, although risk factors include environmental exposures to toxic chemicals.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises a heterogeneous group of cancers with unresolved aetiology, although risk factors include environmental exposures to toxic chemicals. Although the ubiquitous pollutant benzene is an established leukemogen, its potential to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been widely debated. We aimed to examine the potential link between benzene exposure and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in humans by evaluating a wide array of cohort and case-control studies using electronic systematic review.
METHODS
We did a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of all qualified human epidemiological studies that assessed the relationship between benzene exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We queried the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant articles published before June 5, 2019, and applied the SysRev platform for study selection. All peer-reviewed human cohort and case-control studies that reported non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk estimates specifically for benzene exposure were eligible for inclusion. Studies that calculated relative risks (RRs) for industries or job types without identifying those specifically exposed to benzene, that combined non-Hodgkin lymphoma with other cancer types, or that reported many different solvent exposures together were excluded. From each study, two investigators independently extracted information on the study design, location, years, sample size, participation rates, age, sex, sources of cases and controls, diagnosis, histological verification, exposure assessment, results, adjustment, and statistical analysis, and subsequently assessed study quality. We calculated the meta-analysis relative risk (meta-RR) and CIs using the fixed effect and random effect models, as well as assessing publication bias.
FINDINGS
Our search yielded 2481 articles. After screening and removal of duplicates, 20 case-control studies and eight cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis, which included a total of 9587 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We reported an increased meta-relative risk (meta-RR) of 33% in highly exposed groups, when data were available (meta-RR 1·33 [95% CI 1·13-1·57], n=28). The meta-RR rose to 1·51 (1·22-1·87, n=18) in the studies that provided results specifically for highly exposed individuals. In particular, we reported a doubling of this risk for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a major non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtype (1·67 [1·01-2·77]). We also detected increased risks for follicular lymphoma (1·47 [0·95-2·27]) and hairy cell leukaemia (1·77 [0·99-3·16]), though they were not statistically significant. Funnel plot, Egger's test (p=0·77) and Begg's test (p=0·98) did not show evidence of publication bias. We evaluated the major aspects of causal inference and found evidence to support all the Hill considerations for assigning causation.
INTERPRETATION
Our findings suggest a causal link between benzene exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, especially for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
FUNDING
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Topics: Benzene; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34450064
DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00149-2 -
Neuropsychopharmacology : Official... Jun 2022White-matter abnormalities, including increases in extracellular free-water, are implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Recent advances in diffusion... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
White-matter abnormalities, including increases in extracellular free-water, are implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Recent advances in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enable free-water levels to be indexed. However, the brain levels in patients with schizophrenia have not yet been systematically investigated. We aimed to meta-analyse white-matter free-water levels in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy volunteers. We performed a literature search in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. Diffusion MRI studies reporting free-water in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls were included. We investigated the effect of demographic variables, illness duration, chlorpromazine equivalents of antipsychotic medication, type of scanner, and clinical symptoms severity on free-water measures. Ten studies, including five of first episode of psychosis have investigated free-water levels in schizophrenia, with significantly higher levels reported in whole-brain and specific brain regions (including corona radiata, internal capsule, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum bundle, and corpus callosum). Six studies, including a total of 614 participants met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis. Whole-brain free-water levels were significantly higher in patients relative to healthy volunteers (Hedge's g = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.69, p = 0.02). Sex moderated this effect, such that smaller effects were seen in samples with more females (z = -2.54, p < 0.05), but antipsychotic dose, illness duration and symptom severity did not. Patients with schizophrenia have increased free-water compared to healthy volunteers. Future studies are necessary to determine the pathological sources of increased free-water, and its relationship with illness duration and severity.
Topics: Anisotropy; Antipsychotic Agents; Brain; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Humans; Schizophrenia; Water; White Matter
PubMed: 35034098
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01272-x -
Cureus Jun 2022The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has turned into one of the most serious public health crises of the last few decades. Although the disease can... (Review)
Review
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has turned into one of the most serious public health crises of the last few decades. Although the disease can result in diverse and multiorgan pathologies, very few studies have addressed the postmortem pathological findings of COVID-19 cases. Active autopsy findings amid this pandemic could be an essential tool for diagnosis, surveillance, and research. We aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) histopathological features of different body organs through a systematic review of the published literature. A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, medRxiv, and bioRxiv) for journal articles of different study designs reporting postmortem pathological findings in COVID-19 cases was performed. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used for conducting the review. A total of 50 articles reporting 430 cases were included in our analysis. Postmortem pathological findings were reported for different body organs: pulmonary system (42 articles), cardiovascular system (23 articles), hepatobiliary system (22 articles), kidney (16 articles), spleen and lymph nodes (12 articles), and central nervous system (seven articles). In lung samples, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was the most commonly reported finding in 239 cases (84.4%). Myocardial hypertrophy (87 cases, 51.2%), arteriosclerosis (121 cases, 62%), and steatosis (118 cases, 59.3%) were the most commonly reported pathological findings in the heart, kidney, and the hepatobiliary system respectively. Autopsy examination as an investigation tool could lead to a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management, subsequently improving patient care.
PubMed: 35784976
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25573 -
Polymers Sep 2021This review focuses on the in vitro degradation of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite for analyzing the weight loss of hydroxyapatite when applied in the human body.... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This review focuses on the in vitro degradation of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite for analyzing the weight loss of hydroxyapatite when applied in the human body. Cytotoxicity tests were used to observe cell growth and morphological effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to observe the weight loss and viable cells of hydroxyapatite when used for implants.
METHOD
Based on the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) strategy, the articles used for literature review were published in English on SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar from 1 January 2012 to 22 May 2021. Data regarding existing experiments in the literature articles the in vitro degradation and cytotoxicity testing of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite determined the biocompatibility of the materials. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the mean difference between the solutions and soaking times used for degradation and the stem cells used for cytotoxicity.
RESULTS
From 231 relevant studies, 71 were chosen for full-text analysis, out of which 33 articles met the inclusion criteria for degradation and cytotoxicity analysis. A manual search of the field of study resulted in three additional articles. Thus, 36 articles were included in this systematic review.
SIGNIFICANCE
The aim of this study was to highlight the importance of the biocompatibility of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite. The weight loss and viability cells of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite showed optimum results for viable cells requirements above 70%, and there is a weight loss of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite for a material implant. The meta-analysis indicated significant differences in the weight loss of eggshell-based hydroxyapatite materials with different soaking times and solutions used. The various kinds of stem cells for incubation of cultured cells in contact with a device, either directly or through diffusions with various kinds of stem cells from animals and humans, yielded viability cells above 70%.
PubMed: 34641039
DOI: 10.3390/polym13193223 -
Journal of Dentistry Dec 2023The aim of this scoping review was to summarize and discuss the morphological features and associated factors of pulpal mineralizations (PMs) as described within the...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this scoping review was to summarize and discuss the morphological features and associated factors of pulpal mineralizations (PMs) as described within the literature.
DATA
The study protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework platform and is available at the following link: https://osf.io/hfqwe. This scoping review was developed according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
SOURCES
A literature search of four electronic databases was performed in SCOPUS, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and Word of Science, with the last search on May 29, 2023. Study selection was completed by two reviewers independently. Data was extracted regarding study characteristics, types, and features of PM and associated factors.
STUDY SELECTION
Of 1016 studies initially identified ten which qualified were included in this scoping review. Systemic and local factors that result in pulpal insult can contribute to the development of PMs. Three forms of PM have been reported, pulp stones, diffuse mineralizations, and mineralized ectopic connective tissue, with discrete and diffuse mineralization being the two clinically relevant forms. The different forms of PMs exhibit dissimilar morphological features.
CONCLUSION
Pulpal mineralizations exist in two clinically relevant forms: diffuse and discrete mineralizations and are likely associated with a pulpal insult.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the morphology of dental pulp mineralization is the first step to expanding the knowledge of pulp mineralization and could result in improved diagnosis of endodontic pathosis.
Topics: Dental Pulp; Dental Pulp Calcification; Humans
PubMed: 37866408
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104745 -
Surgical Neurology International 2022Subdural osteomas represent an extremely rare entity with only 20 cases described to date. Despite the typical benign behavior, these tumors can grow to compress the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Subdural osteomas represent an extremely rare entity with only 20 cases described to date. Despite the typical benign behavior, these tumors can grow to compress the brain and occasionally detach from the dura mater.
METHODS
A systematic search of the literature was performed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After screening for duplicates, 179 publications met the eligibility criteria. Finally, 18 manuscripts were included in this review. Moreover, a detailed description of an illustrative case is provided.
RESULTS
The median age at diagnosis was 43.2 years, showing a female prevalence. The inner table of the frontal bone was reported as the most frequent location, and in six cases, the lesions did not show any relation with the dura, which appeared intact. Surgical resection appears to be an effective and safe management option. In the present work, the case of a 60-year-old female who presented with persistent, diffuse headaches which had first occurred 6 months earlier is described. On admission, the physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable, and her medical history disclosed no systemic disease, meningitis, or head injury. Computed tomography showed a homogeneous, high-density nodule attached to the inner table of the left middle cranial fossa.
CONCLUSION
In addition to an in-depth case description, the first systematic and qualitative review of the literature on intracranial subdural osteomas using the PRISMA is provided.
PubMed: 35673651
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_245_2022