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Current Neuropharmacology 2024Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a naturally produced hydrophilic bile acid that has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. Numerous recent and studies have...
BACKGROUND
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a naturally produced hydrophilic bile acid that has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. Numerous recent and studies have shown that TUDCA has neuroprotective action in various models of retinal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the scientific literature and provide a comprehensive summary on the neuroprotective action and the mechanisms involved in the cytoprotective effects of TUDCA.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Systematic literature search of United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library was performed, which covered all original articles published up to July 2022. The terms, "TUDCA" in combination with "retina", "retinal protection", "neuroprotection" were searched. Possible biases were identified with the adopted SYRCLE's tool.
RESULTS
Of the 423 initially gathered studies, 24 articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria for full-text review. Six of them were experiments, 17 studies reported data and one study described both and data. The results revealed the effect of TUDCA on different retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal degeneration (RD), retinal ganglion cell (RGC) injury, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and retinal detachment (RDT). The quality scores of the studies were ranged from 5 to 7 points (total 10 points), according to SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. Both and data suggested that TUDCA could effectively delay degeneration and apoptosis of retinal neurons, preserve retinal structure and function, and its mechanism of actions might be related with inhibiting apoptosis, decreasing inflammation, attenuating oxidative stress, suppressing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and reducing angiogenesis.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review demonstrated that TUDCA has neuroprotective effect on and models of retinal disorders, reinforcing the currently available evidence that TUDCA could be a promising therapeutic agent in retinal diseases treatment. However, well designed clinical trials are necessary to appraise the efficacy of TUDCA in clinical setting.
Topics: Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid; Animals; Neuroprotective Agents; Humans; Retinal Diseases; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37691227
DOI: 10.2174/1570159X21666230907152207 -
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) Jun 2013To determine if there is an association of vitreous attachment and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To determine if there is an association of vitreous attachment and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.
METHODS
Systematic review and metaanalysis.
RESULTS
Sixteen of 1,025 articles were eligible. In wet AMD, the prevalence of vitreomacular adhesion and posterior vitreous detachment was 23% (654 eyes) and 41% (251), respectively. Vitreomacular adhesion prevalence was 2.15 times that of controls (95% confidence interval, 1.34-3.48; p = 0.002) and 2.54 times that of dry AMD (confidence interval, 0.88-7.36; p 0.09); posterior vitreous detachment prevalence was lower than controls (relative risk 0.77; confidence interval, 0.64-0.93; p = 0.007) and dry AMD (0.56; confidence interval, 0.27-1.14; p = 0.11). It was not possible to determine the prevalence of vitreous attachment in diabetic macular edema, but vitreomacular traction was present in 29% of 188 surgical cases. The prevalence of posterior vitreous detachment in eyes with central and branch retinal vein occlusion was 30% (56 eyes) and 31% (71 eyes), respectively, versus 25% (64 eyes) in controls.
CONCLUSION
Observational studies of sufficient quality indicate that eyes with wet AMD have double the expected prevalence of vitreomacular adhesion and are less likely to have a posterior vitreous detachment. More controlled studies of diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion are needed.
Topics: Diabetic Retinopathy; Humans; Macular Edema; Prevalence; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Tissue Adhesions; Vitreous Detachment; Wet Macular Degeneration
PubMed: 23591535
DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e31828991d6 -
Drug Safety Sep 2019It has been suggested that fluoroquinolone antibiotics increase the risk of developing collagen-associated adverse events such as aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
It has been suggested that fluoroquinolone antibiotics increase the risk of developing collagen-associated adverse events such as aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm. These are life-threatening emergencies that need to be prevented.
OBJECTIVES
We performed this systematic review to clarify the association between fluoroquinolones and three collagen-associated adverse events: aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, retinal detachment, and tendon disorders.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for observational studies up to January 2019. Cohort and case-control studies were included if they reported data on the risk of collagen-related adverse events associated with fluoroquinolone exposure versus no exposure. We assessed the quality of the included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Effect statistics were pooled using random-effects models. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to identify any source of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
After screening 2729 citations, we included 22 observational studies (12 cohort studies and ten case-control studies) with 19,207,552 participants. Current use of fluoroquinolones was significantly associated with aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection (odds ratio [OR] 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.92-2.52), tendon disorders (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.53-2.33), and retinal detachment (sensitivity analysis, OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.01-1.53). Past fluoroquinolone use (> 30 and ≤ 365 days) was associated with retinal detachment (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.09-1.47).
CONCLUSIONS
Fluoroquinolone use incurs a risk of developing three collagen-associated diseases (aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, retinal detachment, and tendon disorders). Patients at an increased risk of collagen-associated diseases should not use fluoroquinolones unless no other options are available.
Topics: Aortic Dissection; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aortic Aneurysm; Collagen; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Retinal Detachment; Tendons
PubMed: 31077091
DOI: 10.1007/s40264-019-00828-z -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Sep 2022To determine whether intrapartum transperineal ultrasound measurement of the angle of progression (AoP) during the second stage of labor can predict uncomplicated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether intrapartum transperineal ultrasound measurement of the angle of progression (AoP) during the second stage of labor can predict uncomplicated operative vaginal delivery (OVD) using vacuum or forceps extraction.
METHODS
A systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar was performed from inception to February 2021. Studies assessing the predictive accuracy of AoP, measured using intrapartum transperineal ultrasound, for uncomplicated OVD, defined as successful vaginal delivery within three pulls using forceps or no more than two detachments of the vacuum extractor cup, were included. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Summary receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curves, pooled sensitivity and specificity, area under the ROC curve (AUC) and summary likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated.
RESULTS
Seven studies reporting on a total of 782 patients undergoing OVD were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Second-stage AoP measured during maternal rest had a pooled sensitivity of 80% (95% CI, 59-92%) and specificity of 89% (95% CI, 76-95%), with a LR+ of 7.3 (95% CI, 3.1-15.8) for uncomplicated OVD. AoP measured during active pushing had a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI, 85-94%) and specificity of 83% (95% CI, 69-92%), with a LR+ of 5.4 (95% CI, 2.7-10.6) for uncomplicated OVD. The performance of AoP measured at rest was particularly high in nulliparous women, with a sensitivity of 87% (95% CI, 75-94%) and specificity of 90% (95% CI, 82-94%) for uncomplicated OVD.
CONCLUSION
AoP may be a reliable predictor for uncomplicated OVD when measured during the second stage of labor, especially in nulliparous women. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Labor Presentation; Labor, Obstetric; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; ROC Curve; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 35238424
DOI: 10.1002/uog.24886 -
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 -
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance Mar 2024Burnout is a multidimensional psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress. Health care workers (HCWs), who operate in physically and emotionally...
BACKGROUND
Burnout is a multidimensional psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress. Health care workers (HCWs), who operate in physically and emotionally exhausting work contexts, constitute a vulnerable group. This, coupled with its subsequent impact on patients and public economic resources, makes burnout a significant public health concern. Various self-care practices have been suggested to have a positive effect on burnout among HCWs. Of these, physical activity stands out for its ability to combine psychological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms. In fact, it promotes psychological detachment from work and increases self-efficacy by inhibiting neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, increasing endorphin levels, enhancing mitochondrial function, and attenuating the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the evidence on the association between physical activity and burnout among HCWs.
METHODS
We considered HCWs, physical activity, and burnout, framing them as population, exposure, and outcome, respectively. We searched APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE, and Scopus until July 2022. We extracted relevant data on study design, methods to measure exposure and outcome, and statistical approaches.
RESULTS
Our analysis encompassed 21 independent studies. Although 10% (2/21) of the studies explicitly focused on physical activity, the remaining investigations were exploratory in nature and examined various predictors, including physical activity. The most commonly used questionnaire was the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Owing to the heterogeneity in definitions and cutoffs used, the reported prevalence of burnout varied widely, ranging from 7% to 83%. Heterogeneity was also observed in the measurement tools used to assess physical activity, with objective measures rarely used. In total, 14% (3/21) of the studies used structured questionnaires to assess different types of exercise, whereas most studies (18/21, 86%) only recorded the attainment of a benchmark or reported the frequency, intensity, or duration of exercise. The reported prevalence of physically active HCWs ranged from 44% to 87%. The analyses, through a variety of inferential approaches, indicated that physical activity is often associated with a reduced risk of burnout, particularly in the domains of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Furthermore, we compiled and classified a list of factors associated with burnout.
CONCLUSIONS
Our comprehensive overview of studies investigating the association between physical activity and burnout in HCWs revealed significant heterogeneity in definitions, measurements, and analyses adopted in the literature. To address this issue, it is crucial to adopt a clear definition of physical activity and make thoughtful choices regarding measurement tools and methodologies for data analysis. Our considerations regarding the measurement of burnout and the comprehensive list of associated factors have the potential to improve future studies aimed at informing decision-makers, thus laying the foundation for more effective management measures to address burnout.
Topics: Humans; Exercise; Health Personnel; Psychological Tests; Self Report; Burnout, Professional
PubMed: 38498040
DOI: 10.2196/49772 -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Apr 2015Several observational studies have been published investigating the association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the development of retinal detachment; however, the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Several observational studies have been published investigating the association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the development of retinal detachment; however, the findings are not concordant. This study is a meta-analysis of the existing literature and estimates the overall absolute risk of such an event.
METHODS
Electronic databases were searched for observational studies on the association between oral fluoroquinolone and retinal detachment up to August 2014. Studies that did not meet the criteria for meta-analysis were narratively reviewed. Cases of retinal detachment during current fluoroquinolone use were also extracted for absolute risk calculation.
RESULTS
Seven observational studies were included. Three (case-control and self-controlled case series studies) were eligible for meta-analysis and four (cohort studies) were narratively reviewed. The rate ratio of the case-control studies was 1.82 (95% CI 0.67-4.93), I(2) =96% and the incidence rate ratio of the self-controlled case series was 1.03 (95% CI 0.84-1.27), I(2) =36%. Three of the four cohort studies found no significant association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the development of retinal detachment. The pooled absolute risk of retinal detachment whilst on current oral fluoroquinolone treatment is estimated to be 4.85 per 1000000 prescriptions (95% CI 0.78-8.91).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis do not support an association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the development of retinal detachment. Given the low absolute risk, such an event would be rare if there were an association. The current prescribing practice for fluoroquinolones should not be altered because of a previously suggested potential risk of retinal detachment.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Retinal Detachment
PubMed: 25525200
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dku507 -
Military Medicine Jul 2023In the early 2000s when Tactical Combat Casualty Care was developed, the adoption of prophylactic antibiotic use was not mainstream. Back then, guidelines were...
INTRODUCTION
In the early 2000s when Tactical Combat Casualty Care was developed, the adoption of prophylactic antibiotic use was not mainstream. Back then, guidelines were derivative of civilian trauma guidelines which did not include widespread prophylactic antibiotic use. Current protocols across the DoD have embraced the use of prophylactic antibiotic use before reaching a military treatment facility as evidenced by Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines and several Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines.This review intends to find trends associated with the use of antibiotics in the military setting and answer the research question: Do current Army doctrine and practices address these issues and how can they be reworked to address them if needed?
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Methods were developed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary author utilized four databases to locate articles: MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), and Embase (Elsevier). The following keywords were utilized: "Combat casualty," "antibiotic," "trauma," and "prehospital." This ultimately led to 19 articles included in the review.
RESULTS
Nineteen articles were included in the final review and placed into one of the following categories: Overall antibiotic use, guideline adherence and practices, strains, and infection risk factors. Overall, the Army Health System has shown that there is room for improvement in terms of antibiotic stewardship and training regarding antibiotics.
CONCLUSION
Infectious diseases pose a substantial risk to combat wounded. The Army Health System must anticipate encountering challenges with delivering care to patients suffering infections in addition to serious combat injuries. A systematic review of the literature highlights several areas for improvement, primarily areas involving pathogen surveillance, treatment of pediatric populations, and the Army's operational domain of training.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Military Medicine; Military Personnel; Antibiotic Prophylaxis
PubMed: 35830415
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac210 -
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) 2013To determine the safety and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To determine the safety and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction.
METHODS
Articles reporting visual acuity change before and after pars plana vitrectomy were selected using a systematic literature review with predefined eligibility criteria. Visual acuities were converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), weighted for study size, and pooled across studies. Safety outcomes were also pooled across studies.
RESULTS
Twenty-one of 460 articles were eligible. Mean (±standard deviation) logMAR visual acuity improved from 0.67 ± 0.55 to 0.42 ± 0.45 (n = 259 eyes) after pars plana vitrectomy (from 20/94 to 20/53 Snellen). In series of at least 20 eyes, mean visual acuity improved in all 5 studies (sign test, P = 0.0625). Of 392 eyes, 9.2% lost visual acuity, 11.7% were unchanged, and 64.3% improved; 32.9% of 217 eyes gained ≥2 Snellen lines. The most common postoperative complications were cataract (34.7% of 304 eyes; 63.2% of 68 phakic eyes), epiretinal membrane (5.7% of 348 eyes), and retinal detachment (4.6% of 348 eyes). Cataract surgery was undertaken in 10.5% of eyes.
CONCLUSION
The visual acuity gains after pars plana vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction are relatively modest, but visual acuity change may not fully reflect symptomatic relief.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Retinal Diseases; Tissue Adhesions; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 24013261
DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e3182a6b3e2 -
PloS One 2014The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Combined intravitreal anti-VEGF and photodynamic therapy versus photodynamic monotherapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors compared to those of PDT alone in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
METHODS
A systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify all comparative studies that compared the outcomes of the two approaches. Outcomes of interest included visual outcomes, anatomic variables, and adverse events.
RESULTS
Two randomised controlled trials and nine retrospective studies including a total of 543 cases were identified. At three and six months post-injection, no significant difference in visual acuity was found in the combined therapy group compared with the PDT monotherapy group, with pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) of 0.074 (-0.021, 0.17) at three months and 0.082 (-0.013, 0.18) at six months. However, the mean changes in visual acuity at month 12 in the combined therapy group were significantly better than those in the PDT monotherapy group, with pooled WMDs of 0.11 (0.012, 0.21). Similar efficacy was found at 24 months (WMD: 0.21; 95%CI: 0.054, 0.36; P = 0.008). Patients in the combined therapy group also might benefit from reduced retinal haemorrhage (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.74; P = 0.008). Polyp regression, recurrence of PCV, central retinal thickness reduction, and pigment epithelial detachment resolution did not differ significantly between the two treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
Combined treatment appeared to result in better visual acuity and lower retinal haemorrhage. However, combined treatment did not affect the resolution and recurrence of lesions. Given the inherent limitations of the included studies, future well-designed RCTs are awaited to confirm and update the findings of this analysis.
Topics: Aged; Choroid Diseases; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Middle Aged; Peripheral Vascular Diseases; Photochemotherapy; Publication Bias; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 25343244
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110667