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International Journal of Environmental... May 2022Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of the uterine endometrium outside of its normal location. As the etiology of endometriosis is not well known... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of the uterine endometrium outside of its normal location. As the etiology of endometriosis is not well known and hormonal imbalance is central to disease pathogenesis, the potential contribution of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been hypothesized in endometriosis. A systematic search of the literature was carried out to identify relevant studies using: PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer; EBSCO, and Web of Science. A total of 22 studies were considered. Most of the studies reviewed in this paper showed an association between exposure to BPA and phthalates and endometriosis. In the case of phthalate exposure, the reviewed studies found an association between the concentration of at least one phthalate metabolite and endometriosis. Only one study was performed to assess the exposure to parabens and a significant relationship with endometriosis was found. Additionally, only one study assessed the relationship of non-persistent pesticide exposure with endometriosis, observing a significant association between endometriosis and the urinary concentration of diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and chlorpyrifos-methyl. Studies struggled to provide a conclusion on the effect of exposure to benzophenones on endometriosis. Despite the numerous limitations of the results, the reviewed studies suggest that exposure to non-persistent endocrine disruptors, especially bisphenol A and phthalates may affect endometriosis. The results of the studies on exposure to parabens, benzophenones, and non-persistent insecticides are inconclusive.
Topics: Benzophenones; Endocrine Disruptors; Endometriosis; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Parabens; Phthalic Acids
PubMed: 35565013
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095608 -
Ophthalmology and Therapy Aug 2022Dry eye disease (DED) after cataract surgery is associated with various risk factors, while causing a wide range of heterogeneous symptoms including decreased quality of... (Review)
Review
Dry eye disease (DED) after cataract surgery is associated with various risk factors, while causing a wide range of heterogeneous symptoms including decreased quality of vision. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of DED after cataract surgery. We searched PubMed and EMBASE and included studies on patients with DED after cataract surgery, between January 2011 and June 2020. Study-specific estimates (DED prevalence rates after cataract surgery in patients without preexisting DED) were combined using one-group meta-analysis in a random-effects model. We included 36 studies published between 2013 and 2020. We included nine of these in the meta-analysis of DED prevalence after cataract surgery. Overall 37.4% (95% CI 22.6-52.3; 206/775) of patients without preexisting DED developed DED after cataract surgery. The risk factors for DED after cataract surgery included age, female sex, systemic diseases, systemic medications, psychiatric conditions, preexisting DED, meibomian gland dysfunction, preservatives in eye drops, surgery techniques, and lifestyle. DED severity peak occurred 1 day postoperatively and persisted for at least 1-12 months following cataract surgery; therefore, consistent follow-up for DED is warranted for at least 1 month after cataract surgery. Topical administration of preservative-free diquafosol tetrasodium solution and preoperative meibomian gland treatment were effective in preventing and treating DED following cataract surgery. As more than one-third of patients develop DED after cataract surgery, careful DED management and treatment is needed after cataract surgery to improve satisfaction and vision quality.
PubMed: 35534685
DOI: 10.1007/s40123-022-00513-y -
Archives of Razi Institute Nov 2021Substance P binds to the Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors found in the emetic center of the central nervous system (CNS) to induce emesis. Maropitant is a selective NK-1... (Review)
Review
Substance P binds to the Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors found in the emetic center of the central nervous system (CNS) to induce emesis. Maropitant is a selective NK-1 receptor antagonist that inhibits the binding of substance P to NK-1 receptors and is commonly used to prevent and treat vomiting in dogs. This review study aimed to discuss and analyze the therapeutic potential of substance P (Neurokinin-1 receptor) antagonist with a particular focus on the drug maropitant in canine medicine. A systematic literature review was performed to identify the existing literature on the subject during the past 20 years (2001-2021) using such databases as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The initial search identified 173 articles; however, 41 articles were selected for further analysis, based on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies have already confirmed the role of substance P and NK-1 receptors in central pain processing, intestinal smooth muscle contraction, vasodilation, and neurogenic inflammation. Maropitant is one of the most effective veterinary antiemetic drugs that work well against peripheral and central stimuli that trigger the vomiting center. It has been already demonstrated that the therapeutic efficacy of maropitant for managing acute vomiting in dogs is associated with pancreatitis, gastritis, and parvoviral enteritis. It can also prevent and treat chemotherapy-induced emesis and delay the signs of nausea and adverse gastrointestinal effects. Regarding the broad-spectrum antiemetic activity of maropitant, it can be recommended for managing uremic vomiting in dogs. In addition, it has also exhibited an anesthetic sparing effect since the dogs treated with maropitant require a slightly lower percentage of isoflurane as an inhalational anesthetic. The NK-1 receptors are also identified in different areas of the pain pathways. Therefore, NK-1 receptor antagonists might be effective for managing visceral pain. However, further studies are required to establish the broad therapeutic potential of NK-1 receptor antagonist drugs, such as maropitant in canine medicine. It has been shown that the pain associated with the subcutaneous administration of maropitant is due to metacresol, a preservative used in some formulations. Therefore, the side effects can be eliminated by developing novel maropitant formulations specifically for dogs.
Topics: Animals; Antiemetics; Dogs; Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; Receptors, Neurokinin-1; Substance P; Vomiting
PubMed: 35355772
DOI: 10.22092/ari.2021.356171.1797 -
Toxins Feb 2022The study presents a systematic review of published scientific articles investigating the effects of interventions aiming at aflatoxin reduction at the feed production...
The study presents a systematic review of published scientific articles investigating the effects of interventions aiming at aflatoxin reduction at the feed production and animal feeding phases of the milk value chain in order to identify the recent scientific trends and summarize the main findings available in the literature. The review strategy was designed based on the guidance of the systematic review and knowledge synthesis methodology that is applicable in the field of food safety. The Web of Science and EBSCOhost online databases were searched with predefined algorithms. After title and abstract relevance screening and relevance confirmation with full-text screening, 67 studies remained for data extraction, which were included in the review. The most important identified groups of interventions based on their mode of action and place in the technological process are as follows: low-moisture production using preservatives, acidity regulators, adsorbents and various microbiological additives. The results of the listed publications are summarized and compared for all the identified intervention groups. The paper aimed to help feed producers, farmers and relevant stakeholders to get an overview of the most suitable aflatoxin mitigation options, which is extremely important in the near future as climate change will likely be accompanied by elevated mycotoxin levels.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Animal Feed; Animals; Dairying; Food Contamination; Zea mays
PubMed: 35202142
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020115 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Natural antimicrobials (NA) have stood out in the last decade due to the growing demand for reducing chemical preservatives in food. Once solubility, stability, and...
A Systematic Review on Nanoencapsulation Natural Antimicrobials in Foods: In Vitro versus In Situ Evaluation, Mechanisms of Action and Implications on Physical-Chemical Quality.
Natural antimicrobials (NA) have stood out in the last decade due to the growing demand for reducing chemical preservatives in food. Once solubility, stability, and changes in sensory attributes could limit their applications in foods, several studies were published suggesting micro-/nanoencapsulation to overcome such challenges. Thus, for our systematic review the Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and Pub Med databases were chosen to recover papers published from 2010 to 2020. After reviewing all titles/abstracts and keywords for the full-text papers, key data were extracted and synthesized. The systematic review proposed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy between nanoencapsulated NA (nNA) and its free form in vitro and in situ studies, since although in vitro studies are often used in studies, they present characteristics and properties that are different from those found in foods; providing a comprehensive understanding of primary mechanisms of action of the nNA in foods; and analyzing the effects on quality parameters of foods. Essential oils and nanoemulsions (10.9-100 nm) have received significant attention and showed higher antimicrobial efficacy without sensory impairments compared to free NA. Regarding nNA mechanisms: (i) nanoencapsulation provides a slow-prolonged release to promote antimicrobial action over time, and (ii) prevents interactions with food constituents that in turn impair antimicrobial action. Besides in vitro antifungal and antibacterial, nNA also demonstrated antioxidant activity-potential to shelf life extension in food. However, of the studies involving nanoencapsulated natural antimicrobials used in this review, little attention was placed on proximate composition, sensory, and rheological evaluation. We encourage further in situ studies once data differ from in vitro assay, suggesting food matrix greatly influences NA mechanisms.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Food Microbiology; Food Preservatives; In Vitro Techniques; Liposomes; Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 34769485
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222112055 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Aug 2021Olive oil and components might have a beneficial effect on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether those effects are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Olive oil and components might have a beneficial effect on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether those effects are related to hydroxytyrosol or oleic acid contents, or the combination of them as olive oil, and how powerful is this effect.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE via Pubmed, Web of Science (WOS) core collection, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) via LILACS and IBECS (Spain). MeSH terms used were "obesity", "body weight", "body mass index", "adipose tissue", "lipid metabolism", "LDL", "HDL", "VLDL", "insulin resistance", "glucose", "insulin", "hypertension", "arterial pressure", "olive oil", "oleic acid", and other (non-MeSH) terms: "total antioxidant capacity", "total antioxidant status", "hydroxytyrosol" (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021247614). Results of the included studies were meta-analyzed with the RevMan 5.3 program, assuming a random effects model.
RESULTS
76 articles (67 different trials) were identified. Hydroxytyrosol had no effect on MetS [combined standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.01 (CI 95%: [-0.23, 0.25], I = 83%; p = 0.920)]. Oleic acid had no significant beneficial effect on MetS [SMD = 0.03 (CI 95%: [-0.01, 0.07], I = 0%); p = 0.150], but it improved lipid profile [SMD = 0.06 (CI 95%: [-0.00, 0.12], I = 0%); p = 0. 050]. Olive oil had no effect on MetS [SMD = -0.01 (CI 95%: [-0.05, 0.03]), I = 55%; p = 0.550)]. The supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, oleic acid or olive oil showed a beneficial effect on antioxidant capacity related to components of MetS [SMD = 0.31 (CI 95%: [-0.34, 0.95], I = 81%)]; p = 0.35).
CONCLUSION
Most articles compared olive oil and oleic acid with other strategies specially designed for MetS management. Our findings suggest that olive oil or oleic acid consumption are as good as the other strategies to manage MetS.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Oleic Acid; Olive Oil; Phenylethyl Alcohol
PubMed: 34153478
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.06.017 -
Acta Ophthalmologica May 2022Preservative-free topical medications have been introduced for glaucoma care to reduce ocular adverse events associated with preservatives. This is a systematic review...
Preservative-free topical medications have been introduced for glaucoma care to reduce ocular adverse events associated with preservatives. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of beta-blockers, or combination using beta-blockers, with and without preservatives. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were examined. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. The primary outcome was change in intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline to final follow-up. Secondary outcomes included ocular and systemic side effects, and other clinical and quality of life outcomes. Of 242 records identified, seven RCTs (1125 patients) were included. The follow-up period ranged from one to 12 months. Timolol was used in five studies, and two studies used a combination (timolol with bimatoprost or dorzolamide). The difference in mean change (MD) in IOP between the preservative-free and the preserved drugs was statistically significant but not clinically relevant: (MD 0.29 mmHg, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.51 mmHg, p = 0.010; moderate-certainty evidence). Regarding adverse events: Level of evidence for all ocular surface outcome was low or very low and reported in few studies. No significant difference was observed on ocular surface symptoms. Tear break-up time (TBUT) was better with preservative-free drops (p < 0.001). Schirmer's test was better in the preservative-free group (p < 0.001). Level of evidence for all ocular surface outcomes was low or very low. There was no difference in other secondary outcomes. We found no clinically relevant difference in mean change in IOP between the preserved and the preservative-free treatments. Data on adverse events used different methods and were incompletely reported. Although some measures of ocular surface health favoured preservative-free medications, more evidence is needed. The increasing use of preservative-free drops may be associated with better ocular surface and tolerability, but strong evidence from RCTs would be welcome.
Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Antihypertensive Agents; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Ocular Hypertension; Ophthalmic Solutions; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Timolol
PubMed: 34128326
DOI: 10.1111/aos.14926 -
Clinical and Experimental... 2020Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers in Iran. Knowledge of the epidemiology of the disease is essential in planning for prevention. So this study aimed... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers in Iran. Knowledge of the epidemiology of the disease is essential in planning for prevention. So this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological aspects of gastric cancer including prevalence, incidence, mortality, and risk factors of Iran.
METHODS
This systematic review study was based on articles published in both English and Persian languages during the years of 1970-2020 in international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) and national databases (including SID, Magiran, and IranDoc). Papers related to epidemiological aspects of the disease including mortality, prevalence, incidence, and risk entered the final review.
RESULTS
According to the studies, the minimum and maximum prevalence of gastric cancer in northwestern Iran (Ardabil) is between 0.2 and 100 per 100,000. Also, the death rate per 100,000 people ranged from 10.6 to 15.72 and the ASMR ranged from 4.2 to 32.2%. On the other hand, the incidence of GC was higher in men than in women (74.9 vs 4.6%). The GC risk ratio was 8-times higher in the elderly than in the other age groups (HR=8.0, 2.7-23.5). The incidence of gastric cancer in patients with infection was 18-times and that of smokers 2-times higher than other populations. Low level of economic situation and food insecurity increased the odds of GC by 2.42- and 2.57-times, respectively. It should be noted that there was a direct relationship between consumption of processed red meat, dairy products, fruit juice, smoked and salty fish and legumes, strong and hot tea, and consumption of salt and gastric cancer incidence. There was also an inverse relationship between citrus consumption, fresh fruit, garlic, and gastric cancer. In addition, the mRNA genes are the most GC-related genes.
CONCLUSION
Given the high incidence of GC in Iran, changing lifestyle and decreasing consumption of preservatives in food, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, and improving the lifestyle can be effective in reducing the incidence of this disease.
PubMed: 33177859
DOI: 10.2147/CEG.S256627 -
Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research 2020Conjunctivitis is a commonly encountered condition in ophthalmology clinics throughout the world. In the management of suspected cases of conjunctivitis, alarming signs... (Review)
Review
Conjunctivitis is a commonly encountered condition in ophthalmology clinics throughout the world. In the management of suspected cases of conjunctivitis, alarming signs for more serious intraocular conditions, such as severe pain, decreased vision, and painful pupillary reaction, must be considered. Additionally, a thorough medical and ophthalmic history should be obtained and a thorough physical examination should be done in patients with atypical findings and chronic course. Concurrent physical exam findings with relevant history may reveal the presence of a systemic condition with involvement of the conjunctiva. Viral conjunctivitis remains to be the most common overall cause of conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is encountered less frequently and it is the second most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is encountered in nearly half of the population and the findings include itching, mucoid discharge, chemosis, and eyelid edema. Long-term usage of eye drops with preservatives in a patient with conjunctival irritation and discharge points to the toxic conjunctivitis as the underlying etiology. Effective management of conjunctivitis includes timely diagnosis, appropriate differentiation of the various etiologies, and appropriate treatment.
PubMed: 32864068
DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v15i3.7456 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020Glucosinolates (GSs) are common anionic plant secondary metabolites in the order Brassicales. Together with glucosinolate hydrolysis products (GSHPs), they have recently...
Glucosinolates (GSs) are common anionic plant secondary metabolites in the order Brassicales. Together with glucosinolate hydrolysis products (GSHPs), they have recently gained much attention due to their biological activities and mechanisms of action. We review herein the health benefits of GSs/GSHPs, approaches to improve the plant contents, their bioavailability and bioactivity. In this review, only literature published between 2010 and March 2020 was retrieved from various scientific databases. Findings indicate that these compounds (natural, pure, synthetic, and derivatives) play an important role in human/animal health (disease therapy and prevention), plant health (defense chemicals, biofumigants/biocides), and food industries (preservatives). Overall, much interest is focused on in vitro studies as anti-cancer and antimicrobial agents. GS/GSHP levels improvement in plants utilizes mostly biotic/abiotic stresses and short periods of phytohormone application. Their availability and bioactivity are directly proportional to their contents at the source, which is affected by methods of food preparation, processing, and extraction. This review concludes that, to a greater extent, there is a need to explore and improve GS-rich sources, which should be emphasized to obtain natural bioactive compounds/active ingredients that can be included among synthetic and commercial products for use in maintaining and promoting health. Furthermore, the development of advanced research on compounds pharmacokinetics, their molecular mode of action, genetics based on biosynthesis, their uses in promoting the health of living organisms is highlighted.
Topics: Animals; Brassicaceae; Glucosinolates; Humans
PubMed: 32806771
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163682