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Autoimmunity Reviews May 2016Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a rare not well understood, progressive and relapsing multiform disease, characterized by seizures, movement disorders, subacute... (Review)
Review
Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a rare not well understood, progressive and relapsing multiform disease, characterized by seizures, movement disorders, subacute cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric symptoms and responsiveness to steroid therapy. The disorder is generally associated with thyroid diseases and the most common feature is the presence of anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb). Patients are usually euthyroid or mildly hypothyroid at presentation. All age groups can be affected. The pathophysiology is still unclear, especially the link between elevated serum TPOAb and the encephalopathy. Most reported cases occurred in women and girls. Unspecific symptoms, non-pathognomonic laboratory neurophysiology and neuroimaging features make its diagnosis a real challenge for clinicians. The case of a 16 year old boy, with a clinical picture of HE associated with hypothyroidism, demonstrating an excellent response to high dose steroids is presented together with a systematic review of the literature.
Topics: Autoantigens; Biomarkers; Cognition Disorders; Diagnosis, Differential; Encephalitis; Hashimoto Disease; Humans; Iodide Peroxidase; Iron-Binding Proteins; Steroids; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26849953
DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.01.014 -
Reviews in Medical Virology Jan 2022It has been demonstrated that lactoferrin (LF) plays a role in host defence, but evidence on its potential antiviral property from clinical studies is fragmented. Our... (Review)
Review
It has been demonstrated that lactoferrin (LF) plays a role in host defence, but evidence on its potential antiviral property from clinical studies is fragmented. Our systematic review aimed at identifying the effects of orally administered LF against virus infections. The systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, BioRxiv.org and ClinicalTrials.gov from database inception to 7th January 2021. Eligible articles investigated any virus family and provided data on the effects of orally administered LF of any origin in the prevention and/or management of confirmed viral infections in people of any age. A narrative synthesis of the results was performed. Quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk-Of-Bias and ROBINS-1 tools. A total of 27 records were included, nine of which were registered protocols. We found data on Flaviviridae (n = 10), Retroviridae (n = 3), Coronaviridae (n = 2), Reoviridae (n = 2) and Caliciviridae (n = 1). Most published trials were at high risk of bias. The findings were heterogeneous across and within viral families regarding virological, immunological and biological response, with no clear conclusion. Some weak but positive results were reported about decrease of symptom severity and duration, or reduction in viral loads. Despite high tolerability, the effects of LF as oral supplement are still inconsistent, both in preventing and managing viral infections. Small sample sizes, variety in recruitment and treatment protocols, and low study quality may have contributed to such heterogeneity. Better-designed studies are needed to further investigate its potential benefits against viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; COVID-19; Humans; Lactoferrin; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 34133812
DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2261 -
Nutrition Reviews Nov 2015More than 80 countries fortify flour, yet the public health impact of this intervention on iron and anemia outcomes has not been reviewed. (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
More than 80 countries fortify flour, yet the public health impact of this intervention on iron and anemia outcomes has not been reviewed.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this systematic review was to review published and gray literature pertaining to the impact of flour fortification on iron and anemia.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic review was conducted by searching 17 databases and appealing for unpublished reports, yielding 1881 documents.
STUDY SELECTION
Only studies of government-supported, widely implemented fortification programs in which anemia or iron status was measured prior to and ≥12 months after initiation of fortification were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
Details about the design, coverage, compliance with national standards, and evaluation (e.g., anemia prevalence before and after fortification) of flour fortification programs were extracted from the reports.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Thirteen studies describing 26 subgroups (n = 14 for children ≤15 y, n = 12 for women of reproductive age) were included. During the period from pre- to postfortification (and as difference-in-difference for those studies that included a control group), there were statistically significant decreases in the prevalence of anemia in 4 of 13 subgroups of children and in 4 of 12 subgroups of women of reproductive age as well as significant decreases in the prevalence of low ferritin in 1 of 6 subgroups of children and in 3 of 3 subgroups of women of reproductive age.
CONCLUSIONS
. Evidence of the effectiveness of flour fortification for reducing the prevalence of anemia is limited; however, evidence of effectiveness for reducing the prevalence of low ferritin in women is more consistent.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Child; Databases, Factual; Female; Ferritins; Flour; Food, Fortified; Global Health; Humans; Iron; Male; Prevalence
PubMed: 26433017
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuv037 -
European Archives of... Aug 2017Schneiderian papillomas are uncommon tumors which may develop within the nasal cavity and comprise three well-defined histological types: sinonasal inverted papilloma... (Review)
Review
Schneiderian papillomas are uncommon tumors which may develop within the nasal cavity and comprise three well-defined histological types: sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP), exophytic papilloma, and oncocytic papilloma. It is well known the rate of Schneiderian papilloma may also present a malignant degeneration and SNIP represents the most important subgroup in consideration of its frequency and malignant propensity. Although HPV infection is always considered the first event favoring the development of SNIP, however, it is not established as an eventual connection between viral actions and malignant transformation. In fact, different molecular mechanisms are suspected to play a crucial role in this process and, currently, many authors agree that only by improving our knowledge about these mechanisms it will be possible to achieve new and effective targeted therapies. So the aim of this study was firstly to systematically review the literature focusing on different biomarkers that could be implicated in the stages of SNIP malignant degeneration. Secondly, a systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to better define the incidence of sinonasal malignancies originating from Schneiderian papilloma (SNIP, exophytic papilloma, and oncocytic papilloma). Twenty-nine studies comprising a total of 3177 patients were statistically analyzed. Results showed a 9% (95% CI = 7-11) overall rate of malignant transformation from Schneiderian papilloma. In conclusion, this analysis confirmed that the potential malignancy of Schneiderian papilloma should not be underestimated. On the other hand, our review showed the paucity of studies investigating the molecular alterations which may be related with the malignant transformation of SNIP.
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cyclooxygenase 2; ErbB Receptors; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Metallothionein; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Nasal Mucosa; Nose Neoplasms; Papilloma, Inverted; Papillomavirus Infections; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28432463
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-017-4571-2 -
Medicine May 2021Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among obstetric and gynecologic patients. This systematic review aimed to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of commonly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Comparative efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia in obstetric and gynecologic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among obstetric and gynecologic patients. This systematic review aimed to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of commonly used intravenous (IV) iron formulations, ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), and iron sucrose (IS) in the treatment of IDA in obstetric and gynecologic patients.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IV iron replacement using FCM and IS up to October 2019. The primary outcome was to compare the efficacy of FCM and IS, assessed by measuring serum hemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin levels before and after iron replacement. The secondary outcome was to compare the safety of FCM and IS, assessed by the incidence of adverse events during iron replacement. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3.
RESULTS
We identified 9 RCTs with 910 patients (FCM group, n = 456; IS group, n = 454). Before iron replacement, FCM and IS group patients had similar baseline Hb (mean difference [MD], 0.04 g/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.07 to 015; I2 = 0%; P = 0.48) and ferritin levels (MD, -0.42 ng/mL; 95% CI, -1.61 to 0.78; I2 = 45%; P = 0.49). Following iron replacement, patients who received FCM had higher Hb (MD, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.25-1.08; I2 = 92%; P = 0.002) and ferritin levels (MD, 24.41; 95% CI, 12.06-36.76; I2 = 75%; P = 0.0001) than patients who received IS. FCM group showed a lower incidence of adverse events following iron replacement than IS group (risk ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.80; I2 = 0%; P = 0.003). Serious adverse events were not reported in any group.
CONCLUSION
FCM group showed better efficacy in increasing Hb and ferritin levels and a favorable safety profile with fewer adverse events compared with IS group for IDA treatment among obstetric and gynecologic patients. However, this meta-analysis was limited by the small number of RCTs and high heterogeneity.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The review was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, registration number CRD42019148905).
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Female; Ferric Compounds; Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; Ferritins; Hematinics; Hemoglobins; Humans; Maltose; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34011020
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024571 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Aug 2012The utility of iron fortification of food to improve iron deficiency, anemia, and biological outcomes is not proven unequivocally. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The utility of iron fortification of food to improve iron deficiency, anemia, and biological outcomes is not proven unequivocally.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives were to evaluate 1) the effect of iron fortification on hemoglobin and serum ferritin and the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia, 2) the possible predictors of a positive hemoglobin response, 3) the effect of iron fortification on zinc and iron status, and 4) the effect of iron-fortified foods on mental and motor development, anthropometric measures, and infections.
DESIGN
Randomized and pseudorandomized controlled trials that included food fortification or biofortification with iron were included.
RESULTS
Data from 60 trials showed that iron fortification of foods resulted in a significant increase in hemoglobin (0.42 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.56; P < 0.001) and serum ferritin (1.36 μg/L; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.52; P < 0.001), a reduced risk of anemia (RR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.71; P < 0.001) and iron deficiency (RR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.62; P < 0.001), improvement in other indicators of iron nutriture, and no effect on serum zinc concentrations, infections, physical growth, and mental and motor development. Significant heterogeneity was observed for most of the evaluated outcomes. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression for hemoglobin suggested a higher response with lower trial quality (suboptimal allocation concealment and blinding), use of condiments, and sodium iron edetate and a lower response when adults were included.
CONCLUSION
Consumption of iron-fortified foods results in an improvement in hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and iron nutriture and a reduced risk of remaining anemic and iron deficient.
Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Edetic Acid; Ferric Compounds; Ferritins; Food, Fortified; Hemoglobins; Humans; Iron, Dietary; Nutritional Status; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Zinc
PubMed: 22760566
DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.111.031500 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2012Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common of the hereditary ataxias, is an autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder characterised by progressive ataxia, sensory... (Review)
Review
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common of the hereditary ataxias, is an autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder characterised by progressive ataxia, sensory symptoms, weakness, scoliosis and cardiomyopathy. FRDA is caused by a GAA expansion in intron one of the FXN gene, leading to reduced levels of the encoded protein frataxin, which is thought to regulate cellular iron homeostasis. The cerebellar and spinocerebellar dysfunction seen in FRDA has known effects on motor function; however until recently slowed information processing has been the main feature consistently reported by the limited studies addressing cognitive function in FRDA. This chapter will systematically review the current literature regarding the neuropathological and neurobehavioural phenotype associated with FRDA. It will evaluate more recent evidence adopting systematic experimental methodologies that postulate that the neurobehavioural phenotype associated with FRDA is likely to involve impairment in cerebello-cortico connectivity.
Topics: Cerebellum; Cerebral Cortex; Friedreich Ataxia; Genetic Association Studies; Humans; Introns; Iron; Iron-Binding Proteins; Phenotype; Spinal Cord; Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion; Frataxin
PubMed: 23560311
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5434-2_11 -
PloS One 2021To describe the laboratory parameters and biomarkers of the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To describe the laboratory parameters and biomarkers of the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases.
METHODS
A search with standardized descriptors and synonyms was performed on November 28th, 2020 of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, LILACS, and IBECS to identify studies of interest. Grey literature searches and snowballing techniques were additionally utilized to identify yet-unpublished works and related citations. Two review authors independently screened the retrieved titles and abstracts, selected eligible studies for inclusion, extracted data from the included studies, and then assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Eligible studies were those including laboratory parameters-including serum interleukin-6 levels-from mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 cases. Laboratory parameters, such as interleukin-6, ferritin, hematology, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer, were extracted from the studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using the laboratory data to estimate mean differences with associated 95% confidence intervals.
DATA SYNTHESIS
The database search yielded 9,620 records; 40 studies (containing a total of 9,542 patients) were included in the final analysis. Twenty-one studies (n = 4,313) assessed laboratory data related to severe COVID-19 cases, eighteen studies (n = 4,681) assessed predictors for fatal COVID-19 cases and one study (n = 548) assessed laboratory biomarkers related to severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated levels of interleukin-6, ferritin, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, C-Reactive-Protein, procalcitonin, creatinine, neutrophils and leucocytes were associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases.
CONCLUSIONS
This review points to interleukin-6, ferritin, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer as important biomarkers of cytokine storm syndrome. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 and hyperferritinemia should be considered as red flags of systemic inflammation and poor prognosis in COVID-19.
Topics: Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; COVID-19; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Ferritins; Humans; Interleukin-6; Leukocytes; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 34185801
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253894 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2018There is growing recognition that the risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children may be influenced by micronutrient deficiencies, including... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
There is growing recognition that the risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children may be influenced by micronutrient deficiencies, including iron. We conducted this meta-analysis to examine the association between ADHD and iron levels/iron deficiency (ID). We searched for the databases of the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to August 9, 2017. Primary outcomes were differences in peripheral iron levels in children with ADHD versus healthy controls (HCs) and the severity of ADHD symptoms in children with/without ID (Hedges' g) and the pooled adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the association between ADHD and ID. Overall, seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria. Peripheral serum ferritin levels were significantly lower in ADHD children (children with ADHD = 1560, HCs = 4691, Hedges' g = -0.246, p = 0.013), but no significant difference in serum iron or transferrin levels. In addition, the severity of ADHD was significantly higher in the children with ID than those without ID (with ID = 79, without ID = 76, Hedges' g = 0.888, p = 0.002), and there was a significant association between ADHD and ID (OR = 1.636, p = 0.031). Our results suggest that ADHD is associated with lower serum ferritin levels and ID. Future longitudinal studies are required to confirm these associations and to elucidate potential mechanisms.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Databases, Factual; Ferritins; Humans; Iron; Odds Ratio; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 29335588
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19096-x -
Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology :... Nov 2016No medications have been approved for managing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lifestyle intervention is the mainstay for its treatment. Hyperferritinemia,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND/AIMS
No medications have been approved for managing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lifestyle intervention is the mainstay for its treatment. Hyperferritinemia, which appears to be associated with the severity of liver injury and insulin resistance, is frequently observed in patients with NAFLD.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcomes of four interventional trials regarding the effect of phlebotomy in patients with NAFLD versus the outcomes of NAFLD patients who did not undergo phlebotomy. Primary outcome was the pooled mean difference (MD) of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The secondary outcomes were the changes in liver enzymes and the lipid profile.
RESULTS
Four interventional studies involving 438 participants were included in the meta-analysis. HOMA-IR was lower in patients who underwent phlebotomy, with an MD of 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 1.67, I2 = 72%]. Phlebotomy also significantly reduced the alanine aminotransferase (MD = 10.05, 95% CI 7.19-12.92, I2 = 34%) and triglyceride (MD = 9.89, 95% CI 4.96-14.83, I2 = 22%) levels and increased the high-density cholesterol level (MD = 3.48, 95% CI 2.03-4.92, I2 = 18%).
CONCLUSION
Phlebotomy decreased insulin resistance and liver transaminase levels in patients with NAFLD. In addition, it improved their lipid profile.
Topics: Female; Ferritins; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Observational Studies as Topic; Phlebotomy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Transaminases; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 27976635
DOI: 10.4103/1319-3767.195551