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Ecotoxicology (London, England) Oct 2022Glyphosate herbicide is widely used in worldwide crop production. Consequently, its active ingredient, surfactants, and adjuvants commonly reach the aquatic ecosystem,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Glyphosate herbicide is widely used in worldwide crop production. Consequently, its active ingredient, surfactants, and adjuvants commonly reach the aquatic ecosystem, thereby harming the biota. An investigation into how this herbicide affects aquatic species is important, especially in fish, as they have the ability to absorb and concentrate toxins. We aimed to evaluate the effects of glyphosate on the embryonic, larval and adult stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio), an appreciable organismal model. In this sense, we performed a meta-analysis using published articles from online databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect), which covered studies published until 2022. From a massive compilation of studies evaluating the effects of active substance glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides (GBH) on zebrafish, we selected 36 studies used in downstream analyses. Overall, we report that glyphosate affects developmental stages and demonstrates toxicity and damage in zebrafish. We observed that embryos exposed to glyphosate exhibit increased mortality. There was also an increase in the number of morphological abnormalities related to yolk sac oedema, pericardial oedema, spinal curvature and body malformations, and a decrease in body size was observed. Furthermore, there was a decrease in the number of beats. The biochemical results demonstrated an increase in reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals in the gills. The literature shows that glyphosate decreased the distance covered and the mean speed of the animals and increased the number of rotations. We concluded that glyphosate causes damage in the embryonic, larval and adult stages of this species. These results are valid for zebrafish and can be applied to other freshwater fish species. Graphical abstract.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ecosystem; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Glycine; Herbicides; Larva; Reactive Oxygen Species; Surface-Active Agents; Zebrafish; Glyphosate
PubMed: 36065034
DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02581-z -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2023This study aimed to conduct on the concentration of nitrate/nitrite (mg kg) in vegetables and fruits with a special emphasize on the effect of climate condition. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to conduct on the concentration of nitrate/nitrite (mg kg) in vegetables and fruits with a special emphasize on the effect of climate condition. The highest concentration (mean and 95%CI) of nitrate/nitrite was determined in Rocket (4825.15; 3044.14-6606.16), Mizuna (3500; 2702.48-4297.52), and Bok choy (3407.40; 2841.39-3973.42) in vegetable group and in wolfberry (2395.83; 1611.89-3179.77), Jack fruit (237.8; 202.88-272.71) and Cantaloupe (220.32; -224.53 to 665.19) in fruits group. Brazil (2816.77), Estonia (2133.76), Republic of China, Taiwan (2118.28) were the nations with the highest average concentration of nitrate/nitrite in all samples taken from these nations across the globe. Furthermore, Chinese fruits contain the highest concentrations of nitrates/nitrites of other countries (500.57; 416.74-584.41). Nitrate is present in greater quantities in fruits (44.02; 42.12-45.93) and vegetables (438.31; 422.51-454.11) than nitrite; however, the quantity of nitrite has a relatively similar content in both. Our findings revealed that increase in humidity (> 60%), annual rainfall (> 1500 mm), average temperature (> 10 °C) and application of fertilizers lead to significant increase in accumulation of nitrate/nitrite composition of vegetables and fruits (p < 0.05). According to the results of rating countries using the Food Security Index (GFSI), countries with high scores-like Poland and Portugal, which have GFSI scores of 75.5 and 78.7 and average contamination levels of 8.26 and 11.08, respectively-have a trend of average nitrate/nitrite levels of fruit and vegetable products that is significantly decreasing (p = 0.00). Although GFSI levels and other environmental variables can influence nitrate/nitrite levels, fertilizer usage (kg ha) is one of the most significant controllable and impactful factors in contaminants residue, which should be manage. The result of our study, will serve as a basis to estimate the dietary exposure to nitrates and nitrites from fruits and vegetables among populations around the world based on climatology and monitor the related health outcomes.
Topics: Fruit; Nitrates; Nitrites; Temperature; Vegetables
PubMed: 37084661
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114934 -
Xenobiotica; the Fate of Foreign... Mar 2023Cefixime is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin class used to treat various bacterial infections. The purpose of performing this review is to thoroughly evaluate the... (Review)
Review
Cefixime is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin class used to treat various bacterial infections. The purpose of performing this review is to thoroughly evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) data on cefiximeFive databases were systematically searched to identify studies on the PK of cefixime.A total of 38 articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included that provide data on concentration-time profiles or PK parameters such as peak plasma and serum concentration (), area under the curve (AUC), clearance (CL), and time to reach (). A dose-dependent increase in AUC and of cefixime was depicted in healthy volunteers. The clearance of cefixime decreased according to the degree of renal insufficiency among haemodialysis patients. A significant difference in CL was found in comparing fasted and fed states. A biphasic decline in serum concentrations of cefixime was reported when it was taken without probenecid.This review compiles all the reports on the PK of cefixime in healthy and really impaired patients; the summarised information can be used to optimise cefixime dosing in different disease states. Moreover, cefixime has increased time above MIC value suggesting that it may be an effective treatment for infections caused by certain pathogens.
Topics: Humans; Cefixime; Cefotaxime; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalosporins; Biological Availability
PubMed: 37216497
DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2023.2217265 -
Fungal Biology Aug 2019The current investigation was aimed to estimate the prevalence and concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) in different types of coffee and coffee-based products with the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The current investigation was aimed to estimate the prevalence and concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) in different types of coffee and coffee-based products with the aid of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Therefore, the recommended databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase from Jan 1983 to Oct 2018 were screened to retrieve the related citations. In this regard, among 1041 explored articles in the identification step, thirty six articles with 3182 samples were included in the meta-analysis and meta-regression. According to findings, the global pooled concentration and prevalence of OTA was calculated as 3.21 μg/kg (95% CI: 3.08-3.34 μg/kg) and 53.0 % (95% CI: 43.0-62.0), respectively. Also, direct correlations between the increases in poverty as well as the amount of annual precipitation and prevalence of OTA was noted, while with decreasing in HDI the prevalence of OTA in coffee significantly was increased. Moreover, the lowest and highest concentrations of OTA in coffee were observed in Taiwan (0.35 μg/kg) and Turkey (79.0 μg/kg), respectively. The outcome of this meta-analysis can be used for the building of risk assessment models aiming to derive data for the development of specific actions to reduce the exposure to this mycotoxin in coffee and coffee-based products.
Topics: Coffea; Coffee; Food Contamination; Ochratoxins; Seeds
PubMed: 31345415
DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2019.05.012 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Jun 2022Some studies conducted on soy isoflavones and soy protein reflected that leptin can be reduced by soy isoflavones or soy protein. The aim of present study is to assess... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Some studies conducted on soy isoflavones and soy protein reflected that leptin can be reduced by soy isoflavones or soy protein. The aim of present study is to assess the effect of soy isoflavones plus soy protein on serum concentration of leptin among adults.
METHODS
To find randomized clinical trails (RCTs) assessing the effect of soy isoflavones containing soy protein on serum concentration of leptin in participants with age ≥18 years old, databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to March 2021. We calculated the effect size by the mean change from baseline of leptin concentrations and its standard deviation for intervention and comparison groups. DerSimonian and Laird random effects model was used to estimate the overall summary effect and the heterogeneity. Risk of bias was conducted by Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42021228366).
RESULTS
Eight articles with 421 participants and six articles with 336 participants were known to be eligible for systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. A pooled analysis revealed that the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein had a borderline non-significant on serum concentration of leptin (weighted mean difference (WMD): -1.03 ng/ml, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.11, 0.05 ng/ml). This combination reduced serum leptin levels in studies with baseline levels of leptin ≤22 ng/ml, in short-term trials (≤56 days), studies that used soy isoflavones with dose ≤96 mg/day and among subjects with health risk factors or diseases.
CONCLUSION
Soy isoflavones plus soy protein had a non-significant decreasing effect on the serum concentration of leptin. However, making firm conclusion needs more studies on participants with different health condition, and different soy isoflavones doses and intervention duration.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Isoflavones; Leptin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Soybean Proteins
PubMed: 35623806
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.015 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry Apr 2023Immune system dysfunction is considered to play an aetiological role in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with substantial alterations in the concentrations of specific... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Alteration patterns of peripheral concentrations of cytokines and associated inflammatory proteins in acute and chronic stages of schizophrenia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Immune system dysfunction is considered to play an aetiological role in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with substantial alterations in the concentrations of specific peripheral inflammatory proteins, such as cytokines. However, there are inconsistencies in the literature over which inflammatory proteins are altered throughout the course of illness. Through conducting a systematic review and network meta-analysis, this study aimed to investigate the patterns of alteration that peripheral inflammatory proteins undergo in both acute and chronic stages of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, relative to a healthy control population.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 31, 2022, for published studies reporting peripheral inflammatory protein concentrations in cases of people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and healthy controls. Inclusion criteria were: (1) observational or experimental design; (2) a population consisting of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with a specified indicator of acute or chronic stage of illness; (3) a comparable healthy control population without mental illness; (4) a study outcome measuring the peripheral protein concentration of a cytokine, associated inflammatory marker, or C-reactive protein. We excluded studies that did not measure cytokine proteins or associated biomarkers in blood. Mean and SDs of inflammatory marker concentrations were extracted directly from full-text publshed articles; articles that did not report data as results or supplementary results were excluded (ie, authors were not contacted) and grey literature and unpublished studies were not sought. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were done to measure the standardised mean difference in peripheral protein concentrations between three groups: individuals with acute schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, individuals with chronic schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, and healthy controls. This protocol was registered on PROSPERO, CRD42022320305.
FINDINGS
Of 13 617 records identified in the database searches, 4492 duplicates were removed, 9125 were screened for eligibility, 8560 were excluded after title and abstract screening, and three were excluded due to limited access to the full-text article. 324 full-text articles were then excluded due to inappropriate outcomes, mixed or undefined schizophrenia cohorts, or duplicate study populations, five were removed due to concerns over data integrity, and 215 studies were included in the meta-analysis. 24 921 participants were included, with 13 952 adult cases of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and 10 969 adult healthy controls (descriptive data for the entire cohort were not available for age, numbers of males and females, and ethnicity). Concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and C-reactive protein were consistently elevated in both individuals with acute schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and chronic schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, relative to healthy controls. IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ were significantly elevated in acute schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, while IL-4, IL-12, and IFN-γ were significantly decreased in chronic schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses revealed that study quality and a majority of the evaluated methodological, demographic, and diagnostic factors had no significant impact on the observed results for most of the inflammatory markers. Specific exceptions to this included: methodological factors of assay source (for IL-2 and IL-8), assay validity (for IL-1β), and study quality (for transforming growth factor-β1); demographic factors of age (for IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-12), sex (for IFN-γ and IL-12), smoking (for IL-4), and BMI (for IL-4); and diagnostic factors including diagnostic composition of schizophrenia-spectrum cohort (for IL-1β IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α), antipsychotic-free cases (for IL-4 and IL-1RA), illness duration (for IL-4), symptom severity (for IL-4), and subgroup composition (for IL-4).
INTERPRETATION
Results suggest that people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders have a baseline level of inflammatory protein alteration throughout the illness, as reflected by consistently elevated pro-inflammatory proteins, hypothesised here as trait markers (eg, IL-6), while those with acute psychotic illness might have superimposed immune activity with increased concentrations of hypothesised state markers (eg, IFN-γ). Further research is required to determine whether these peripheral alterations are reflected within the central nervous system. This research facilitates an entry point in understanding how clinically relevant inflammatory biomarkers might one day be useful to the diagnosis and prognostication of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
FUNDING
None.
Topics: Male; Adult; Female; Humans; Cytokines; Schizophrenia; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; Network Meta-Analysis; Interleukin-6; C-Reactive Protein; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-4; Interleukin-8; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Interleukin-12; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36863384
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00025-1 -
The World Journal of Men's Health Apr 2023Whether COVID-19 reduces male fertility remains requires further investigation. This meta-analysis and systematic review evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on male...
PURPOSE
Whether COVID-19 reduces male fertility remains requires further investigation. This meta-analysis and systematic review evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The literature in PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to January 01, 2022 was systematically searched, and a meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on male fertility. Totally 17 studies with a total of 1,627 patients and 1,535 control subjects were included in our meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Regarding sperm quality, COVID-19 decreased the total sperm count (p=0.012), sperm concentration (p=0.001), total motility (p=0.001), progressive sperm motility (p=0.048), and viability (p=0.031). Subgroup analyses showed that different control group populations did not change the results. It was found that during the illness stage of COVID-19, semen volume decreased, and during the recovery stage of COVID-19, sperm concentration and total motility decreased <90 days. We found that sperm concentration and total motility decreased during recovery for ≥90 days. Fever because of COVID-19 significantly reduced sperm concentration and progressive sperm motility, and COVID-19 without fever ≥90 days, the sperm total motility and progressive sperm motility decreased. Regarding disease severity, the moderate type of COVID-19 significantly reduced sperm total motility, but not the mild type. Regarding sex hormones, COVID-19 increased prolactin and estradiol. Subgroup analyses showed that during the illness stage, COVID-19 decreased testosterone (T) levels and increased luteinizing hormone levels. A potential publication bias may have existed in our meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
COVID-19 in men significantly reduced sperm quality and caused sex hormone disruption. COVID-19 had long-term effects on sperm quality, especially on sperm concentration and total motility. It is critical to conduct larger multicenter studies to determine the consequences of COVID-19 on male fertility.
PubMed: 36326165
DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220091 -
Journal of Animal Science and... Feb 2022Effects of added fat in sow diets on the sows' reproductive performance and offspring growth performance are influenced by multiple factors such as genetics, nutrition,... (Review)
Review
Effects of added fat in sow diets on the sows' reproductive performance and offspring growth performance are influenced by multiple factors such as genetics, nutrition, parity, ambient temperatures, and farm management. Individual studies cannot cover all these factors. With the view to address this challenge, we searched all studies that were published from 1986 to 2020, and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the fat effect. In total, 19 papers were collected and analyzed. Fat supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.05) and tended to increase average daily energy intake (ADEI, P = 0.11). It had no impact on litter weights at birth (P = 0.40) or weaning (P = 0.46). It increased total numbers of piglets at birth (P = 0.07), but had no effect on liveborn per litter (P = 0.90) or survival rate (P = 0.48) of piglets to weaning. Fat supplementation had no significant effect on sow body weight loss (P = 0.67) or backfat thickness changes (P = 0.66), but sows fed diets with added fat had increased milk fat concentration (P = 0.03) and shorter wean to estrus intervals (WEI, P = 0.01). In specific circumstances, fat supplementation tended to improve growth performance of piglets with low litter weights at birth (P = 0.14), or when the sows lost large amounts of body weight during lactation (P = 0.11). The level of supplemented fat was 10% and higher would decrease liveborn per litter at neutral temperature (P = 0.10). The meta-analysis revealed that fat supplementation to sows diet during late gestation and lactation can be beneficial for sow reproductive performance and litter growth performance.
PubMed: 35130973
DOI: 10.1186/s40104-021-00662-3 -
American Journal of Men's Health 2023Varicocele surgical repair can improve the function of the testis for patients with varicocele. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Varicocele surgical repair can improve the function of the testis for patients with varicocele. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of varicocele surgical repair on serum hormones and inhibin B levels in patients with varicocele. A literature search was performed in August 2022, and no language or geographic region restrictions were applied. The search included the following databases: PubMed, Embase, and Medline. A literature review was performed to identify all published clinical trials assessing serum hormone and inhibin B levels before and after varicocele surgical repair. The reference lists of retrieved studies were also investigated. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Eight articles were selected from 162 articles, including 452 patients. The combined analysis showed that after surgical treatment, mean serum testosterone, inhibin B, and sperm concentration levels increased compared with preoperative levels ( .05). After surgical treatment, mean serum follicle-stimulating hormon (FSH), and Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels decreased compared with preoperative levels ( .05). This meta-analysis demonstrates that varicocele surgical repair can improve testicular function, increase serum testosterone, and inhibin B levels and decrease serum FSH and LH levels in patients with varicocele. This might be related to the improvement of infertility. A large-scale multicenter randomized controlled study is needed for further confirmation.
Topics: Humans; Male; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Luteinizing Hormone; Varicocele; Testosterone; Semen; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37694823
DOI: 10.1177/15579883231199400 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Sep 2022There have been many studies on the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM) and lung function. However, the impact of short-term or long-term PM exposures on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
There have been many studies on the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM) and lung function. However, the impact of short-term or long-term PM exposures on lung function in children is still inconsistent globally, and the reasons for the inconsistency of the research results are not clear. Therefore, we searched the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases up to May 2022, and a total of 653 studies about PM exposures on children's lung function were identified. Random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the combined effects of the 25 articles included. PM concentrations in short-term exposure studies mainly come from individual and site monitoring. And for every 10 μg/m increase, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) decreased by 21.39 ml (95% CI: 13.87, 28.92), 25.66 ml (95% CI: 14.85, 36.47) and 1.76 L/min (95% CI: 1.04, 2.49), respectively. The effect of PM on lung function has a lag effect. For every 10 μg/m increase in the 1-day moving average PM concentration, FEV, FVC and PEF decreased by 14.81 ml, 15.40 ml and 1.18 L/min, respectively. PM concentrations in long-term exposure studies mainly obtained via ground monitoring stations. And for every 10 μg/m increase, FEV, FVC and PEF decreased by 61.00 ml (95% CI: 25.80, 96.21), 54.47 ml (95% CI: 7.29, 101.64) and 10.02 L/min (95% CI: 7.07, 12.98), respectively. The sex, body mass index (BMI), relative humidity (RH), temperature (Temp) and the average PM exposure level modify the relationship between short-term PM exposure and lung function. Our study provides further scientific evidence for the deleterious effects of PM exposures on children's lung function, suggesting that exposure to PM is detrimental to children's respiratory health. Appropriate protective measures should be taken to reduce the adverse impact of air pollution on children's health.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Child; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Lung; Particulate Matter; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 35810981
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119735