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Physiological Reviews Jan 2023Taste and smell play a key role in our ability to perceive foods. Overconsumption of highly palatable energy-dense foods can lead to increased caloric intake and... (Review)
Review
Taste and smell play a key role in our ability to perceive foods. Overconsumption of highly palatable energy-dense foods can lead to increased caloric intake and obesity. Thus there is growing interest in the study of the biological mediators of fat taste and associated olfaction as potential targets for pharmacologic and nutritional interventions in the context of obesity and health. The number of studies examining mechanisms underlying fat taste and smell has grown rapidly in the last 5 years. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize emerging evidence examining the biological mechanisms of fat taste and smell. A literature search was conducted of studies published in English between 2014 and 2021 in adult humans and animal models. Database searches were conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for key terms including fat/lipid, taste, and olfaction. Initially, 4,062 articles were identified through database searches, and a total of 84 relevant articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria and are included in this review. Existing literature suggests that there are several proteins integral to fat chemosensation, including cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). This systematic review will discuss these proteins and the signal transduction pathways involved in fat detection. We also review neural circuits, key brain regions, ingestive cues, postingestive signals, and genetic polymorphism that play a role in fat perception and consumption. Finally, we discuss the role of fat taste and smell in the context of eating behavior and obesity.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Feeding Behavior; Obesity; Smell; Taste; Taste Buds
PubMed: 36409650
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00061.2021 -
Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation... Jan 2021Functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to the paretic peroneal nerve has positive clinical effects on foot drop secondary to stroke. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to the paretic peroneal nerve has positive clinical effects on foot drop secondary to stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of FES applied to the paretic peroneal nerve on gait speed, active ankle dorsiflexion mobility, balance, and functional mobility.
METHODS
Electronic databases were searched for articles published from inception to January 2020. We included randomized controlled trials or crossover trials focused on determining the effects of FES combined or not with other therapies in individuals with foot drop after stroke. Characteristics of studies, participants, comparison groups, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the I statistic.
RESULTS
We included 14 studies providing data for 1115 participants. FES did not enhance gait speed as compared with conventional treatments (i.e., supervised/unsupervised exercises and regular activities at home). FES combined with supervised exercises (i.e., physiotherapy) was better than supervised exercises alone for improving gait speed. We found no effect of FES combined with unsupervised exercises and inconclusive effects when FES was combined with regular activities at home. When FES was compared with conventional treatments, it improved ankle dorsiflexion, balance and functional mobility, albeit with high heterogeneity for these last 2 outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis revealed low quality of evidence for positive effects of FES on gait speed when combined with physiotherapy. FES can improve ankle dorsiflexion, balance, and functional mobility. However, considering the low quality of evidence and the high heterogeneity, these results must be interpreted carefully.
Topics: Electric Stimulation Therapy; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Humans; Peroneal Nerve; Physical Therapy Modalities; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation; Walking Speed
PubMed: 32376404
DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2020.03.012 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Feb 2020The evidence of a connection between the peripheral inflammatory processes and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system is becoming more apparent. This... (Review)
Review
The evidence of a connection between the peripheral inflammatory processes and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system is becoming more apparent. This review of the related literature highlights the most recent clinical, epidemiological, and in vitro studies trying to investigate possible connections between periodontal bacteria and the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This review was conducted by searching databases such as PubMed and Scopus using keywords or combinations such as Alzheimer's Disease AND periodontal or dementia AND periodontitis OR periodontal. After eliminating overlaps and screening the articles not related to these issues, we identified 1088 records and proceeded to the selection of articles for an evaluation of the associative assumptions. The hypothesis suggested by the authors and confirmed by the literature is that the bacterial load and the inflammatory process linked to periodontal disease can intensify inflammation at the level of the central nervous system, favoring the occurrence of the disease. The analysis of the literature highlights how periodontal disease can directly contribute to the peripheral inflammatory environment by the introduction of periodontal or indirect pathogenic bacteria and proinflammatory cytokines locally produced at the periodontal level following bacterial colonization of periodontal defects.
PubMed: 32054121
DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020495 -
Pain Physician Mar 2021Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been increasingly used to manage acute and chronic pain. However, the level of clinical evidence to support its use is not clear.
BACKGROUND
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been increasingly used to manage acute and chronic pain. However, the level of clinical evidence to support its use is not clear.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the clinical evidence of PNS in the treatment of acute or chronic pain.
STUDY DESIGN
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of PNS in managing acute or chronic pain.
METHODS
Data sources were PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, Google Scholar, and reference lists. The literature search was performed up to December 2019. Study selection included randomized trials, observational studies, and case reports of PNS in acute or chronic pain. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed utilizing Cochrane review methodologic quality assessment and Interventional Pain Management Techniques-Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment (IPM-QRB) and Interventional Pain Management Techniques-Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment for Nonrandomized Studies (IPM-QRBNR). The evidence was summarized utilizing principles of best evidence synthesis on a scale of 1 to 5. Data syntheses: 227 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis.
RESULTS
Evidence synthesis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies showed Level I and II evidence of PNS in chronic migraine headache; Level II evidence in cluster headache, postamputation pain, chronic pelvic pain, chronic low back and lower extremity pain; and Level IV evidence in peripheral neuropathic pain, and postsurgical pain. Peripheral field stimulation has Level II evidence in chronic low back pain, and Level IV evidence in cranial pain.
LIMITATIONS
Lack of high-quality RCTs. Meta-analysis was not possible due to wide variations in experimental design, research protocol, and heterogeneity of study population.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this systematic review suggest that PNS may be effective in managing chronic headaches, postamputation pain, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back and lower extremity pain, with variable levels of evidence in favor of this technique.
Topics: Acute Pain; Chronic Pain; Humans; Pain Management; Peripheral Nerves; Reproducibility of Results; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
PubMed: 33740342
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2021Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) is a treatment in which patients learn self-regulation of a physiological dysregulated vagal nerve function. While the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) is a treatment in which patients learn self-regulation of a physiological dysregulated vagal nerve function. While the therapeutic approach of HRVB is promising for a variety of disorders, it has not yet been regularly offered in a mental health treatment setting.
AIM
To provide a systematic review about the efficacy of HRV-Biofeedback in treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress related disorders.
METHOD
Systematic review in PubMed and Web of Science in 2020 with terms HRV, biofeedback, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, panic disorder, and anxiety disorder. Selection, critical appraisal, and description of the Random Controlled Trials (RCT) studies. Combined with recent meta-analyses.
RESULTS
The search resulted in a total of 881 studies. After critical appraisal, nine RCTs have been selected as well as two other relevant studies. The RCTs with control groups treatment as usual, muscle relaxation training and a "placebo"-biofeedback instrument revealed significant clinical efficacy and better results compared with control conditions, mostly significant. In the depression studies average reduction at the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale was 64% (HRVB plus Treatment as Usual (TAU) versus 25% (control group with TAU) and 30% reduction (HRVB) at the PSQ scale versus 7% (control group with TAU). In the PTSD studies average reduction at the BDI-scale was 53% (HRV plus TAU) versus 24% (control group with TAU) and 22% (HRVB) versus 10% (TAU) with the PTSD Checklist (PCL). In other systematic reviews significant effects have been shown for HRV-Biofeedback in treatment of asthma, coronary artery disease, sleeping disorders, postpartum depression and stress and anxiety.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review shows significant improvement of the non-invasive HRVB training in stress related disorders like PTSD, depression, and panic disorder, in particular when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or different TAU. Effects were visible after four weeks of training, but clinical practice in a longer daily self-treatment of eight weeks is more promising. More research to integrate HRVB in treatment of stress related disorders in psychiatry is warranted, as well as research focused on the neurophysiological mechanisms.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Autonomic Nervous System; Biofeedback, Psychology; Depression; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Self-Control; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 33804817
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073329 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Mar 2022Pharmacological strategies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) are very limited. We systematically reviewed data on rehabilitation, exercise,... (Review)
Review
Rehabilitation, exercise, and related non-pharmacological interventions for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: Systematic review and evidence-based recommendations.
Pharmacological strategies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) are very limited. We systematically reviewed data on rehabilitation, exercise, physical therapy, and other physical non-pharmacological interventions and offered evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of CIPN. A literature search using PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted from database inception until May 31st, 2021. 2791 records were title-abstract screened, 71 papers were full-text screened, 41 studies were included, 21 on prevention and 20 on treatment of CIPN. Treatment type, cancer type, chemotherapy compounds were heterogeneous, sample size was small (median: N = 34) and intention-to-treat analysis was lacking in 26/41 reports. Because of the methodological issues of included studies, the reviewed evidence should be considered as preliminary. Exercise, endurance, strength, balance, and sensorimotor training have been studied in low-to-moderate quality studies, while the evidence for other treatments is preliminary/inconclusive. We offer recommendation for the design of future trials on CIPN.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Exercise; Humans; Neoplasms; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 34968623
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103575 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 2020Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) and the more recently discovered Mycobacterium lepromatosis (M. lepromatosis). The two...
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) and the more recently discovered Mycobacterium lepromatosis (M. lepromatosis). The two leprosy bacilli cause similar pathologic conditions. They primarily target the skin and the peripheral nervous system. Currently it is considered a Neglected Tropical Disease, being endemic in specific locations within countries of the Americas, Asia, and Africa, while in Europe it is only rarely reported. The reason for a spatial inequality in the prevalence of leprosy in so-called endemic pockets within a country is still largely unexplained. A systematic review was conducted targeting leprosy transmission research data, using PubMed and Scopus as sources. Publications between January 1, 1945 and July 1, 2019 were included. The transmission pathways of M. leprae are not fully understood. Solid evidence exists of an increased risk for individuals living in close contact with leprosy patients, most likely through infectious aerosols, created by coughing and sneezing, but possibly also through direct contact. However, this systematic review underscores that human-to-human transmission is not the only way leprosy can be acquired. The transmission of this disease is probably much more complicated than was thought before. In the Americas, the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) has been established as another natural host and reservoir of M. leprae. Anthroponotic and zoonotic transmission have both been proposed as modes of contracting the disease, based on data showing identical M. leprae strains shared between humans and armadillos. More recently, in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) with leprosy-like lesions in the British Isles M. leprae and M. lepromatosis DNA was detected. This finding was unexpected, because leprosy is considered a disease of humans (with the exception of the armadillo), and because it was thought that leprosy (and M. leprae) had disappeared from the United Kingdom. Furthermore, animals can be affected by other leprosy-like diseases, caused by pathogens phylogenetically closely related to M. leprae. These mycobacteria have been proposed to be grouped as a M. leprae-complex. We argue that insights from the transmission and reservoirs of members of the M. leprae-complex might be relevant for leprosy research. A better understanding of possible animal or environmental reservoirs is needed, because transmission from such reservoirs may partly explain the steady global incidence of leprosy despite effective and widespread multidrug therapy. A reduction in transmission cannot be expected to be accomplished by actions or interventions from the human healthcare domain alone, as the mechanisms involved are complex. Therefore, to increase our understanding of the intricate picture of leprosy transmission, we propose a One Health transdisciplinary research approach.
Topics: Animals; Armadillos; Disease Reservoirs; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Leprosy; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium leprae; Prevalence; Sciuridae
PubMed: 32339201
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008276 -
Neurosurgery Jun 2022Although numerous articles have been published not only on the classification of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) but also on diagnostic standards, timing, and type of... (Review)
Review
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Part I: Systematic Review of the Literature and Consensus on Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Classification of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies' Section of Peripheral Nerve Surgery.
BACKGROUND
Although numerous articles have been published not only on the classification of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) but also on diagnostic standards, timing, and type of surgical intervention, there still remains some controversy because of the lack of level 1 evidence. So far, attempts to generate uniform reporting standards have not yielded conclusive results.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the body of evidence and reach a consensus among neurosurgeons experienced in TOS regarding anatomy, diagnosis, and classification.
METHODS
A systematic literature search on PubMed/MEDLINE was performed on February 13, 2021, yielding 2853 results. Abstracts were screened and classified. Recommendations were developed in a meeting held online on February 10, 2021, and refined according to the Delphi consensus method.
RESULTS
Six randomized controlled trials (on surgical, conservative, and injection therapies), 4 "guideline" articles (on imaging and reporting standards), 5 observational studies (on diagnostics, hierarchic designs of physiotherapy vs surgery, and quality of life outcomes), and 6 meta-analyses were identified. The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies' section of peripheral nerve surgery established 18 statements regarding anatomy, diagnosis, and classification of TOS with agreement levels of 98.4 % (±3.0).
CONCLUSION
Because of the lack of level 1 evidence, consensus statements on anatomy, diagnosis, and classification of TOS from experts of the section of peripheral nerve surgery of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies were developed with the Delphi method. Further work on reporting standards, prospective data collections, therapy, and long-term outcome is necessary.
Topics: Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures; Peripheral Nerves; Physical Therapy Modalities; Quality of Life; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
PubMed: 35319532
DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000001908 -
Journal of Neurochemistry Mar 2021Similar to dementia, the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases with age, and T2DM also increases the risk for dementia, particularly Alzheimer's...
Similar to dementia, the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases with age, and T2DM also increases the risk for dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although T2DM is primarily a peripheral disorder and AD is a central nervous system disease, both share some common features as they are chronic and complex diseases, and both show involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation in their progression. These characteristics suggest that T2DM may be associated with AD, which gave rise to a new term, type 3 diabetes (T3DM). In this study, we searched for matching peripheral proteomic biomarkers of AD and T2DM based in a systematic review of the available literature. We identified 17 common biomarkers that were differentially expressed in both patients with AD or T2DM when compared with healthy controls. These biomarkers could provide a useful workflow for screening T2DM patients at risk to develop AD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Biomarkers; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Proteomics
PubMed: 32909269
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15166 -
Journal of Sport and Health Science May 2022There is controversial evidence regarding the effect of acute resistance exercise (ARE) on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, which indicates the activities of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
There is controversial evidence regarding the effect of acute resistance exercise (ARE) on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, which indicates the activities of the cardiac autonomic nervous system. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the effect of ARE on HRV parameters and identify its possible moderating factors.
METHODS
The PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) declaration was followed, and the methodological quality of the studies was evaluated. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Main effect analyses between pre- and post-test interventions demonstrated an increase in normalized units low frequency (p < 0.001; standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.78; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.46‒1.11) and low frequency/high frequency ratio (p < 0.001; SMD = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.64‒0.99) and a decrease in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (NN) interval (p < 0.001; SMD = -0.58; 95%CI: -0.85 to -0.30), root mean square of the successive differences (p < 0.001; SMD = -1.01; 95%CI: -1.29 to -0.74), and normalized units high frequency (p < 0.001; SMD: -1.08; 95%CI: -1.43 to -0.73) following ARE in healthy individuals range: 15 ± 1 to 48 ± 2 years; mean ± SD).
RESULTS
There were differences between the subgroups in the number of sets used in an exercise (p = 0.05) for root mean square of the successive differences, as well as for exercise intensity (p = 0.01) and rest between sets (p = 0.05) for normalized units high frequency. Interestingly, there were differences between the subgroups in training volume for root mean square of the successive differences (p = 0.01), normalized units high frequency (p = 0.003) and normalized units low frequency (p = 0.02).
CONCLUSION
Overall, there was a withdrawal of cardiac parasympathetic and activation of cardiac sympathetic modulations following ARE, and these changes were greater with higher training volume ∼30 min after ARE in healthy individuals. Furthermore, the number of sets, intensity, and rest between sets affected HRV parameters. However, gender, body mass index, and training status did not influence the changes in HRV parameters as a response to ARE.
Topics: Autonomic Nervous System; Exercise; Heart Rate; Humans; Resistance Training; Rest
PubMed: 33246163
DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.11.008