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International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2021The intrauterine environment is critical for healthy prenatal growth and affects neonatal survival and later health. Mercury is a toxic metal which can freely cross the... (Review)
Review
The intrauterine environment is critical for healthy prenatal growth and affects neonatal survival and later health. Mercury is a toxic metal which can freely cross the placenta and disrupt a wide range of cellular processes. Many observational studies have investigated mercury exposure and prenatal growth, but no prior review has synthesised this evidence. Four relevant publication databases (Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus) were systematically searched to identify studies of prenatal mercury exposure and birth weight, birth length, or head circumference. Study quality was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool, and results synthesised in a narrative review. Twenty-seven studies met the review criteria, these were in 17 countries and used 8 types of mercury biomarker. Studies of birth weight (total = 27) involving populations with high levels of mercury exposure, non-linear methods, or identified as high quality were more likely to report an association with mercury, but overall results were inconsistent. Most studies reported no strong evidence of association between mercury and birth length (n = 14) or head circumference (n = 14). Overall, our review did not identify strong evidence that mercury exposure leads to impaired prenatal growth, although there was some evidence of a negative association of mercury with birth weight.
Topics: Biomarkers; Birth Weight; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Exposure; Mercury; Placenta; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34281082
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137140 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Nov 2023This systematic review assessed the available evidence on the survival and success rate of zirconia and titanium implants. As secondary outcomes, aesthetic, radiographic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review assessed the available evidence on the survival and success rate of zirconia and titanium implants. As secondary outcomes, aesthetic, radiographic and clinical parameters, as well as biological and mechanical complications, were considered.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was performed up to March 2022 to identify CCTs/RCTs comparing zirconia and titanium implants with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Meta-analysis was performed when ≥ 2 articles with similar characteristics were retrieved.
RESULTS
Four published articles with two RCTs (2 different patient populations) with 100 zirconia and 99 titanium implants that were followed up over 12-80 months were selected out of the 6040 articles. A non-statistically significant difference between zirconia and titanium implant survival at 12 months was suggested (P = 0.0938). The success rates were 57.5-93.3% and 57.1-100% for zirconia and titanium implants, respectively. The pink aesthetic score (PES) was higher for zirconia (10.33 ± 2.06 to 11.38 ± 0.92) compared to titanium implants (8.14 ± 3.58 to 11.56 ± 1.0).
CONCLUSION
Based on the 2 RCTs retrieved in the literature, similar survival rates were reported for zirconia and titanium implants in the short term (12 months of follow-up). Future RCTs are warranted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of zirconia implants.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Zirconia implants may be the procedure of choice, particularly in the aesthetic zone, since they show a similar survival and success rate as titanium implants on a short-term follow-up.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Systematic review registration number-CRD42021288704 (PROSPERO).
Topics: Humans; Dental Implants; Titanium; Dental Restoration Failure; Esthetics, Dental; Zirconium; Dental Prosthesis Design
PubMed: 37740825
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-05242-5 -
European Journal of Surgical Oncology :... Sep 2016Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) with stenting increases complications compared with surgery without PBD. Metallic stents are considered superior to plastic stents... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) with stenting increases complications compared with surgery without PBD. Metallic stents are considered superior to plastic stents when considering stent-related complications. Aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the rate of endoscopic re-intervention before surgery and postoperative outcomes of metal versus plastic stents in patients with resectable periampullary or pancreatic head neoplasms.
METHODS
We conducted a bibliographic research using the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database, including both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs. Quantitative synthesis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) tests.
RESULTS
One RCT and four non-RCTs were selected, including 704 patients. Of these, 202 patients (29.5%) were treated with metal stents and 502 (70.5%) with plastic stents. The majority of patients (86.4%) had pancreatic cancer. The rate of endoscopic re-intervention after preoperative biliary drainage was significantly lower in the metal stent (3.4%) than in the plastic stent (14.8%) group (p < 0.0001). The rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula was significantly lower in the meta stent group as well (5.1% versus 11.8%, p = 0.04). The rate of post-operative surgical complications and of - post-operative mortality did not differ between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the present systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that metal stent are more effective than plastic stents for PBD in patients with resectable periampullary tumors, randomized controlled trials are needed in order to confirm these data with a higher level of evidence.
Topics: Ampulla of Vater; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures; Drainage; Humans; Jaundice, Obstructive; Metals; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Plastics; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Risk Factors; Stents
PubMed: 27296728
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2016.05.001 -
The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2022Previous studies have indicated that heavy metal levels in milk vary partly depending on environmental metal concentrations. Given the increasing consumption of milk in... (Review)
Review
Previous studies have indicated that heavy metal levels in milk vary partly depending on environmental metal concentrations. Given the increasing consumption of milk in China, it is essential to pay attention to milk safety. We performed a systematic review of relevant published studies to evaluate the heavy metal levels in milk and dairy products and the associated health risks, discuss environmental sources of heavy metals, and propose future research directions. A literature search was implemented in the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed using multiple keywords such as "metal," "milk," "dairy products," and "China". A total of 16 published studies that analyzed metal levels in milk and dairy products in 20 provincial administrative regions were included. Most studies detected toxic heavy metals in milk and dairy products samples, including mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic. The lead concentration in milk from these studies did not exceed the Chinese standard for milk. However, three studies detected relatively high lead levels in both commercial and raw milk, exceeding the European Commission standard. The polluted environment surrounding the farm, feed, and packaging materials are likely sources of metals in milk and dairy products. The hazard index for the 11 analyzed metal elements in milk and dairy products was lower than 1, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic health risks from exposure to these metals. Children are at a higher risk than adults. This review illustrates that research in this field is limited to China. More research should be conducted in the future, such as evaluating the contribution of each environmental source of metal in milk and dairy products.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Arsenic; Cadmium; Child; Chromium; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Lead; Mercury; Metals, Heavy; Milk; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 35988597
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158161 -
Biological Trace Element Research Mar 2023There have been numerous reports of welder's worker exposure to metal fumes. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic (neurological, dermal, and etc.) effects are the adverse... (Review)
Review
There have been numerous reports of welder's worker exposure to metal fumes. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic (neurological, dermal, and etc.) effects are the adverse outcomes of exposure to welding fumes. In this review study, data were collected from previous studies conducted in Iran from 1900 to 2020. The risk of carcinogenicity and non-carcinogenicity due to exposure to welding metal fumes was assessed using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method based on the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Results showed mean of metal fume concentration in gas welding was in the range of 1.8248 to 1060.6 (µg/m) and in arc welding was 54.935 to 4882.72 (µg/m). The mean concentration of fumes in gas welding is below the recommended American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) standard exposure limit except for manganese, and in the arc welding, all metal fume concentrations are below the standard exposure limit except for manganese and aluminum. The results showed that the risk of carcinogenicity due to exposure to nickel, manganese in both gas and arc welding, and cadmium in gas welding was higher than standard level (hazard quotient (HQ) more than 1). Cancer risk due to exposure to nickel in both gas and arc welding was probable (1 × 10 < cancer risk (CR) < 1 × 10). Health risk assessment showed that welders are exposed to health risks. Preventive measures should be applied in welding workplaces to reduce the concentrations of metal fumes.
Topics: Humans; Iran; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Metal Workers; Nickel; Manganese; Occupational Exposure; Risk Assessment; Welding; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35508890
DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03246-y -
Journal of Long-term Effects of Medical... 2014Metal hypersensitivity has been an identified problem in orthopedics for nearly half a century, but its implications remain unclear. Establishing which total joint... (Review)
Review
Metal hypersensitivity has been an identified problem in orthopedics for nearly half a century, but its implications remain unclear. Establishing which total joint arthroplasty (TJA) candidates may do poorly with conventional implants and which patients would benefit from revision to an allergen-free implant remains challenging. Our systematic search of the MEDLINE database identified 52 articles for inclusion in our review. Case reports revealed that half of patients presented with pain and swelling, while only one-third presented with cutaneous symptoms. All patients were symptomatic within the first post-operative year; 90% were symptomatic within 3 months. Reports of patch testing revealed that patients with TJAs were positive for metal sensitivity more often than patients without TJAs (OR 1.3). Those with poorly functioning arthroplasties and those who had already had revisions tested positive more often than those with well-functioning TJAs (OR 1.7) and those without TJAs (OR 3.1). Lymphocyte transformation testing (LTT) shows promise in diagnosing metal allergy, and components of bone cement are also being recognized as potential allergens. Further work is necessary to delineate which patients should be tested for metal allergy and which patients would benefit from allergen-free implants.
Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Bone Cements; Hip Prosthesis; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Lymphocyte Activation; Metal-on-Metal Joint Prostheses; Metals; Patch Tests; Patient Selection; Reoperation
PubMed: 24941403
DOI: 10.1615/jlongtermeffmedimplants.2014010277 -
The Journal of Arthroplasty Feb 2023Porous metal augments are used in complex hip arthroplasty; however, few studies have assessed their efficacy and safety. This systematic review analyzed the use of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Porous metal augments are used in complex hip arthroplasty; however, few studies have assessed their efficacy and safety. This systematic review analyzed the use of augments in revision hip arthroplasty and summarized the clinical research findings.
METHODS
We used combinations of "revision," "replacement," "arthroplasty," "augment," "acetabular," and "hip" to search PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, and clinical trial registration platform "Clinicaltrials" for relevant literature. The functional score, restoration of hip center of rotation, revision of implants, and complications were analyzed. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the mean follow-up period. Overall, 19 reports involving 647 patients (655 hips) were selected. The mean age at the time of surgery was 63 years (range, 24-106) and the mean follow-up duration was 66 months (range, 11-204).
RESULTS
Harris Hip Score increased from approximately a mean of 40 points preoperatively to a mean of 84 points postoperatively. The vertical distance between hip center of rotation and teardrop was restored from a preoperative distance of 41.9 to 21.7 mm postoperatively. The overall acetabular revision rate was 4.7%, and the incidence of complications was 8.2%. There were significant differences in the reoperation, acetabular revision, and complication rates among the subgroups.
CONCLUSION
Metal augments used in revision hip arthroplasty are a safe and effective treatment option to correct acetabular defects.
Topics: Humans; Acetabulum; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Follow-Up Studies; Hip Prosthesis; Metals; Prosthesis Failure; Reoperation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35964855
DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2022.08.010 -
The International Journal of... 2010The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate and compare the frequency of veneer chipping and core fracture of zirconia fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
PURPOSE
The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate and compare the frequency of veneer chipping and core fracture of zirconia fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) FDPs and determine possible influencing factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The SCOPUS database and International Association of Dental Research abstracts were searched for clinical studies involving zirconia and PFM FDPs. Furthermore, studies that were integrated into systematic reviews on PFM FDPs were also evaluated. The principle investigators of any clinical studies on zirconia FDPs were contacted to provide additional information. Based on the available information for each FDP, a data file was constructed. Veneer chipping was divided into three grades (grade 1 = polishing, grade 2 = repair, grade 3 = replacement). To assess the frequency of veneer chipping and possible influencing factors, a piecewise exponential model was used to adjust for a study effect.
RESULTS
None of the studies on PFM FDPs (reviews and additional searching) sufficiently satisfied the criteria of this review to be included. Thirteen clinical studies on zirconia FDPs and two studies that investigated both zirconia and PFM FDPs were identified. These studies involved 664 zirconia and 134 PFM FDPs at baseline. Follow-up data were available for 595 zirconia and 127 PFM FDPs. The mean observation period was approximately 3 years for both groups. The frequency of core fracture was less than 1% in the zirconia group and 0% in the PFM group. When all studies were included, 142 veneer chippings were recorded for zirconia FDPs (24%) and 43 for PFM FDPs (34%). However, the studies differed extensively with regard to veneer chipping of zirconia: 85% of all chippings occurred in 4 studies, and 43% of all chippings included zirconia FDPs. If only studies that evaluated both types of core materials were included, the frequency of chipping was 54% for the zirconia-supported FDPs and 34% for PFM FDPs. When adjusting the survival rate for the study effect, the difference between zirconia and PFM FDPs was statistically significant for all grades of chippings (P = .001), as well as for chipping grade 3 (P = .02). If all grades of veneer chippings were taken into account, the survival of PFM FDPs was 97%, while the survival rate of the zirconia FDPs was 90% after 3 years for a typical study. For both PFM and zirconia FDPs, the frequency of grades 1 and 2 veneer chippings was considerably higher than grade 3. Veneer chipping was significantly less frequent in pressed materials than in hand-layered materials, both for zirconia and PFM FDPs (P = .04).
CONCLUSIONS
Since the frequency of veneer chipping was significantly higher in the zirconia FDPs than PFM FDPs, and as refined processing procedures have started to yield better results in the laboratory, new clinical studies with these new procedures must confirm whether the frequency of veneer chipping can be reduced to the level of PFM.
Topics: Dental Polishing; Dental Porcelain; Dental Restoration Failure; Dental Veneers; Denture Design; Denture Repair; Denture, Partial, Fixed; Humans; Metal Ceramic Alloys; Survival Analysis; Zirconium
PubMed: 21209982
DOI: No ID Found -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Aug 2022Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are one of the major causes of death in infants and young children, and heavy metal exposure during pregnancy is one of the possible risk... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are one of the major causes of death in infants and young children, and heavy metal exposure during pregnancy is one of the possible risk factors. However, the effect of heavy metal exposure on CHDs is still controversial. We searched English (PubMed, Web of Science) and Chinese (CNKI and WanFang database) databases for relevant articles. The summarized effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by pooling estimates using the random-effects model. Egger's test was used to estimate publication bias. Heterogeneity among studies was indicated by p-values and I. Finally, we conducted subgroup analyses to elucidate the causes of heterogeneity. Thirteen studies were included in this meta-analysis. A positive association between maternal exposure to heavy metals and CHDs was found. Pooling odds ratios (ORs) for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead were 2.12, 1.30, 1.22, and 2.30, respectively for total CHDs. Regarding CHD subtypes, arsenic was associated with an increased risk of septal defects (OR: 1.82), barium with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) (OR: 1.15) and septal defects (OR: 1.21), and lead with conotruncal defects (OR: 2.34) and LVOTO (OR: 1.93). A heterogeneous relationship was found between studies using different methods of measurement, which were mainly due to differences in actual exposure levels to heavy metals. This meta-analysis suggests significant associations between arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead exposure during pregnancy and an increased risk of specific CHDs in offspring. These findings underscore the importance of heavy metal exposure during pregnancy in the risk of CHDs in offspring.
Topics: Arsenic; Cadmium; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; Maternal Exposure; Mercury; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35668266
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21071-7 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Sep 2021Heavy metals in drinking water can threat human health and may induce several diseases. The association between heavy metals exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD)...
Heavy metals in drinking water can threat human health and may induce several diseases. The association between heavy metals exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been indicated by few epidemiological studies. We conducted a systematic review of the epidemiologic publications of the association between exposure to heavy metals through drinking water and CKD. Keywords related to heavy metals and kidney diseases on MeSH were identified and searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Ovid-Medline and Web of Science until July 2020. 14 publications met our inclusion criteria and included in the current review. The included articles were conducted on the association between arsenic, cadmium, lead and chromium in drinking water and CKD. Our study could not find strong evidence between heavy exposure to through drinking water and CKD, except for arsenic. The negative association was found between arsenic and lead and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The positive correlation was observed between cadmium exposure and urinary N-acetyl--d-glucosaminidase (NAG) concentrations, and also arsenic and chromium exposure and kidney injury molecule (KIM-1). Assessment of studies showed an association between arsenic, cadmium, lead and chromium and albuminuria and proteinuria, without CKD outcomes. Current systematic study showed few evidence for exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead and chromium through drinking water and incidence of kidney problems. However, more epidemiological studies are required to confirm this association.
Topics: Arsenic; Biomarkers; Drinking Water; Humans; Kidney; Metals, Heavy; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 33128529
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0110