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Journal of Chemical Ecology Jul 2024Characteristics such as calcareous morphology and life cycle are used to understand the ecology of calcified rhodophytes. However, there is limited information regarding... (Review)
Review
Characteristics such as calcareous morphology and life cycle are used to understand the ecology of calcified rhodophytes. However, there is limited information regarding their chemical profiles and biological activities. Therefore, a systematic review (PRISMA) was conducted to assess the influence of the chemistry of calcareous rhodophytes on ecological interactions in the marine environment. The keywords used were: ["Chemical AND [Ecology OR Interaction OR Response OR Defense OR Effect OR Cue OR Mediated OR Induce]"] AND ["Red Seaweed" OR "Red Macroalgae" OR Rhodophy?] AND [Calcified OR Calcareous] in Science Direct, Scielo, PUBMED, Springer, Web of Science, and Scopus. Only English articles within the proposed theme were considered. Due to the low number of articles, another search was conducted with three classes and 16 genera. Finally, 67 articles were considered valid. Their titles, abstracts, and keywords were analyzed using IRaMuTeQ through factorial, hierarchical and similarity classification. Most of the studies used macroalgae thallus to evaluate chemical mediation while few tested crude extracts. Some substances were noted as sesquiterpene (6-hydroxy-isololiolide), fatty acid (heptadeca5,8,11-triene) and dibromomethane. The articles were divided into four classes: Herbivory, Competition, Settlement/Metamorphosis, and Epiphytism. Crustose calcareous algae were associated with studies of Settlement/Metamorphosis, while calcified algae were linked to herbivory. Thus, the importance of chemistry in the ecology of these algae is evident,and additional studies are needed to identify the substances responsible for ecological interactions. This study collected essential information on calcified red algae, whose diversity appears to be highly vulnerable to the harmful impacts of ongoing climate change.
PubMed: 38958678
DOI: 10.1007/s10886-024-01525-7 -
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 2024Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are chronic respiratory disorders characterized by airways obstruction and chronic inflammation. Exacerbations lead to... (Review)
Review
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are chronic respiratory disorders characterized by airways obstruction and chronic inflammation. Exacerbations lead to worsening of symptoms and increased airflow obstruction in both airways diseases, and they are associated with increase in local and systemic inflammation. Exosomes are cell-derived membrane vesicles containing proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that reflect their cellular origin. Through the transfer of these molecules, exosomes act as mediators of intercellular communication. Via selective delivery of their contents to target cells, exosomes have been proved to be involved in regulation of immunity and inflammation. Although, exosomes have been extensively investigated in different diseases, little is currently known about their role in asthma and COPD pathogenesis, and particularly in exacerbations. This review aims to systemically assess the potential role of exosomes in asthma and COPD exacerbations.
PubMed: 38957448
DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1356328 -
Clinical Pharmacokinetics Jul 2024The interstitial fluid of tissues is the effect site for antibiotics targeting extracellular pathogens. Microdialysis studies investigating these concentrations in...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The interstitial fluid of tissues is the effect site for antibiotics targeting extracellular pathogens. Microdialysis studies investigating these concentrations in muscle and subcutaneous tissue have reported notable variability in tissue penetration. This study aimed to comprehensively summarise the existing data on interstitial fluid penetration in these tissues and to identify potential factors influencing antibiotic distribution.
METHODS
A literature review was conducted, focusing on subcutaneous and intramuscular microdialysis studies of antibiotics in both adult healthy volunteers and patients. Random-effect meta-analyses were used to aggregate effect size estimates of tissue penetration. The primary parameter of interest was the unbound penetration ratio, which represents the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve in interstitial fluid relative to the area under the concentration-time curve in plasma, using unbound concentrations.
RESULTS
In total, 52 reports were incorporated into this analysis. The unbound antibiotic exposure in the interstitial fluid of healthy volunteers was, on average, 22% lower than in plasma. The unbound penetration ratio values were higher after multiple dosing but did not significantly differ between muscle and subcutaneous tissue. Unbound penetration ratio values were lower for acids and bases compared with neutral antibiotics. Neither the molecular weight nor the logP of the antibiotics accounted for the variations in the unbound penetration ratio. Obesity was associated with lower interstitial fluid penetration. Conditions such as sepsis, tissue inflammation and tissue ischaemia were not significantly associated with altered interstitial fluid penetration.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the variability and generally lower exposure of unbound antibiotics in the subcutaneous and intramuscular interstitial fluid compared with exposure in plasma. Future research should focus on understanding the therapeutic relevance of these differences and identify key covariates that may influence them.
PubMed: 38955946
DOI: 10.1007/s40262-024-01394-z -
Disease-a-month : DM Jul 2024Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common type of cardiovascular disease and carries a high mortality rate of 30% if left untreated. Although it is commonly known...
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common type of cardiovascular disease and carries a high mortality rate of 30% if left untreated. Although it is commonly known that individuals who suffer heart failure (HF) are more likely to experience a pulmonary embolism, little is known concerning the prognostic relationship between acute PE and HF. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic usefulness of heart failure and pro-BNP in pulmonary embolism cases. A scientific literature search, including PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane reviews, was used to assess and evaluate the most pertinent research that has been published. The findings showed that increased N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels could potentially identify pulmonary embolism patients with worse immediate prognoses and were highly predictive of all-cause death. Important prognostic information can be obtained from NT-proBNP and Heart-type Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (H-FABP) when examining individuals with PE. The heart, distal tubular cells of the renal system, and skeletal muscle are where H-FABP is primarily found, with myocardial cells having the highest concentration. Recent studies have indicated that these biomarkers may also help assess the severity of PE and its long-term risk.
PubMed: 38955637
DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2024.101783 -
Pain Management Nursing : Official... Jul 2024Morton's neuroma (MN) is one of the most frequent neurological pathologies in feet, affecting approximately 4% of the general population. The treatment of MN can be... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Morton's neuroma (MN) is one of the most frequent neurological pathologies in feet, affecting approximately 4% of the general population. The treatment of MN can be surgical, conservative, and infiltrative, with different substances used in the injections for MN, as steroids, sclerosing solutions, and others. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of current infiltrative therapy for Morton's neuroma and, additionally, to define adverse effects of this therapy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, Epistemonikos, Web of Science (WOS), SPORTSDiscus and Cochrane Library. This search involved the application of all types of infiltrative treatment applicable to MN. The search was limited to original data describing clinical outcomes and pain using the Visual Analogue pain Scale (VAS) or the Johnson Satisfaction Scale, between February and June 2023.
RESULTS
Twelve manuscripts were selected (six randomized controlled trials and six longitudinal observational studies) involving 1,438 patients. Capsaicin was reported to produce a VAS score reduction of 51.8%. Corticosteroids also reported a high level of efficacy. Alcohol and Hyaluronic Acid injections are well tolerated, but the effects of their application need further research. There were no serious adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS
Corticosteroids, sclerosant injections, hyaluronic acid and capsaicin have been shown to be effective in reducing the pain related to MN.
PubMed: 38955553
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2024.06.005 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Two significant etiological factors contributing to iron deficiency anemia, and undernutrition posing substantial public health challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, are...
Impact of weekly iron-folic acid supplementation on nutritional status and parasitic reinfection among school-age children and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Two significant etiological factors contributing to iron deficiency anemia, and undernutrition posing substantial public health challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, are soil-transmitted helminths and malaria. This study carried out the effect of weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) on the nutrition and general health of school-age children and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa, a systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted.
METHODS
To find pertinent publications for this study, a thorough search was carried out on May 20, 2023, across five databases: Pubmed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. In addition, a search was conducted on August 23, 2023, to capture any new records. The inclusion criteria for the studies were based on school-age children and adolescent populations, randomized controlled trials, and investigations into the effects of WIFAS. The outcomes of interest were measured through anthropometric changes, malaria, and helminthic reinfection
RESULTS
A systematic review of 11 articles revealed that WIFAS significantly decreased the risk of schistosomiasis reinfection by 21% among adolescents (risk ratio = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.66, 0.97; heterogeneity = 0.00%, = 0.02). However, no significant impact was observed on the risk of malaria reinfection (risk ratio = 1.02, 95%CI: 0.92, 1.13; heterogeneity = 0.00%, = 0.67) or A. Lumbricoides reinfection (risk ratio = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.75, 1.19; heterogeneity = 0.00%, = 0.65). Moreover, the analysis demonstrated that there is no significant effect of iron-folic acid supplementation in measured height and height for age -score (HAZ) of the school-age children (Hedge's g -0.05, 95%CI: -0.3, 0.2; test for heterogeneity = 0.00%, = 0.7) and (Hedge's g 0.12, 95%CI: -0.13, 0.37; test for heterogeneity = 0.00%, = 0.36) respectively.
CONCLUSION
The effectiveness of WIFAS in reducing the risk of schistosomiasis reinfection in adolescents has been demonstrated to be greater than that of a placebo or no intervention. Additionally, the narrative synthesis of iron-folic acid supplementation has emerged as a potential public health intervention for promoting weight change. However, there was no significant association between WIFAS and Ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Moreover, the certainty of the evidence for the effects of WIFAS on height and malaria is low and therefore inconclusive. Whereas, the certainty of the evidence for the effectiveness of WIFAS on Schistosomiasis is moderate. Even though the mechanisms need further research WIFAS may be implemented as part of a comprehensive public health strategy to address schistosomiasis in adolescents.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023397898, PROSPERO (CRD42023397898).
PubMed: 38952434
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1366540 -
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... Jul 2024To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort human studies evaluating metabolite markers identified using high-throughput metabolomics... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort human studies evaluating metabolite markers identified using high-throughput metabolomics techniques on esophageal cancer (EC), cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and gastric cancer (GC) in blood and tissue.
BACKGROUND
Upper gastrointestinal cancers (UGC), predominantly EC, GEJ, and GC, are malignant tumour types with high morbidity and mortality rates. Numerous studies have focused on metabolomic profiling of UGC in recent years. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we have provided a collective summary of previous findings on metabolites and metabolomic profiling associated with EC, GEJ and GC.
METHODS
Following the PRISMA procedure, a systematic search of four databases (Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) for molecular epidemiologic studies on the metabolomic profiles of EC, GEJ and GC was conducted and registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023486631). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to benchmark the risk of bias for case-controlled and cohort studies. QUADOMICS, an adaptation of the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy) tool, was used to rate diagnostic accuracy studies. Original articles comparing metabolite patterns between patients with and without UGC were included. Two investigators independently completed title and abstract screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation. Meta-analysis was conducted whenever possible. We used a random effects model to investigate the association between metabolite levels and UGC.
RESULTS
A total of 66 original studies involving 7267 patients that met the required criteria were included for review. 169 metabolites were differentially distributed in patients with UGC compared to healthy patients among 44 GC, 9 GEJ, and 25 EC studies including metabolites involved in glycolysis, anaerobic respiration, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and lipid metabolism. Phosphatidylcholines, eicosanoids, and adenosine triphosphate were among the most frequently reported lipids and metabolites of cellular respiration, while BCAA, lysine, and asparagine were among the most commonly reported amino acids. Previously identified lipid metabolites included saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids and ketones. However, the key findings across studies have been inconsistent, possibly due to limited sample sizes and the majority being hospital-based case-control analyses lacking an independent replication group.
CONCLUSION
Thus far, metabolomic studies have provided new opportunities for screening, etiological factors, and biomarkers for UGC, supporting the potential of applying metabolomic profiling in early cancer diagnosis. According to the results of our meta-analysis especially BCAA and TMAO as well as certain phosphatidylcholines should be implicated into the diagnostic procedure of patients with UGC. We envision that metabolomics will significantly enhance our understanding of the carcinogenesis and progression process of UGC and may eventually facilitate precise oncological and patient-tailored management of UGC.
Topics: Humans; Metabolomics; Esophageal Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Metabolome; Case-Control Studies; Esophagogastric Junction
PubMed: 38951269
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05857-5 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Maternal malnutrition affects the somatic growth of the fetus and subsequent adverse events during infancy and childhood period. Though trials have been conducted on...
Effect of preconception multiple micronutrients vs. iron-folic acid supplementation on maternal and birth outcomes among women from developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Maternal malnutrition affects the somatic growth of the fetus and subsequent adverse events during infancy and childhood period. Though trials have been conducted on multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplements initiated during the preconception period, there is no collated evidence on this.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic review of published trials with the application of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). The searches were conducted until 30 September 2023. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5 software. The primary objective was to compare the effect of preconception MMN vs. iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation on newborn anthropometric parameters at birth.
RESULTS
Of the 11,832 total citations retrieved, 12 studies with data from 11,391 participants [Intervention = 5,767; Control = 5,624] were included. For the primary outcome, there was no significant difference in the birth weight [MD, 35.61 (95% CI, -7.83 to 79.06), = 0.11], birth length [MD, 0.19 (95% CI, -0.03 to 0.42), = 0.09], and head circumference [MD, -0.25 (95% CI, -0.64 to -0.14), = 0.22] between the MMN and control groups. For all the secondary outcomes [except for small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight (LBW)], the difference between the MMN and control groups was not significant. The GRADE evidence generated for all the outcomes varied from "very low to moderate certainty."
CONCLUSION
A "very low certainty" of evidence suggests that MMN supplementation may not be better than routine IFA supplementation in improving newborn anthropometric parameters (weight, length, and head circumference). The adverse events resulting from the supplementation were not significant. We need better quality uniformly designed RCTs before any firm recommendation can be made.: identifier (CRD42019144878: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#searchadvanced).
PubMed: 38946784
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1390661 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2024Lablab Semen Album (lablab), the white and dried mature fruit of Lablab purpureus in the Lablab genus of the Fabaceae family, is a renowned traditional medicinal herb... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Lablab Semen Album (lablab), the white and dried mature fruit of Lablab purpureus in the Lablab genus of the Fabaceae family, is a renowned traditional medicinal herb with a long history of use in China. In Chinese medicine, lablab is often combined with other drugs to treat conditions such as weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, loose stools, excessive leucorrhoea, summer dampness and diarrhea, chest tightness, and abdominal distension.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Comprehensive information on lablab was gathered from databases including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and ancient materia medica.
RESULTS
Lablab, a member of the lentil family, thrives in warm and humid climates, and is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Traditionally, lablab is used to treat various ailments, such as spleen and stomach weakness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Phytochemical analyses reveal that lablab is a rich source of triterpenoid saponins, glucosides, volatile oils, polysaccharides, and amino acids. Lablab extracts exhibit diverse biological activities, including hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, antiviral properties, and more. Besides its medicinal applications, lablab is extensively used in the food industry due to its high nutrient content. Additionally, the quality of lablab can be regulated by determining the levels of key chemical components pivotal to its medicinal effects, ensuring the herb's overall quality.
CONCLUSION
Lablab is a promising medicinal and edible plant ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects, making it a valuable ingredient for food, pharmaceuticals, and animal husbandry. However, it has inherent toxicity if not properly prepared. Additionally, some traditional uses and pharmacological activities lack scientific validation due to incomplete methods, unclear results, and insufficient clinical data. Thus, further in vivo and in vitro studies on its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology, along with clinical efficacy evaluations, are needed to ensure lablab's safety and effectiveness. As an important traditional Chinese medicine, lablab deserves more attention.
PubMed: 38945467
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118507 -
Intensive & Critical Care Nursing Jun 2024To synthesize quantitative research findings on the prevalence and risk factors for in-hospital mortality of patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane... (Review)
Review
Prevalence and risk factors for in-hospital mortality of adult patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVES
To synthesize quantitative research findings on the prevalence and risk factors for in-hospital mortality of patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted for the period from May 2008 to December 2023 by searching the five electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane library. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The meta-analysis estimated the pooled odds ratio or standard mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of twenty-five studies with 10,409 patients were included in the analysis. The overall in-hospital mortality of patients on VA-ECMO was 56.7 %. In the subgroup analysis, in-hospital mortality of VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest was 49.2 % and 75.2 %, respectively. The number of significant factors associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in the pre-ECMO period (age, body weight, creatinine, chronic kidney disease, pH, and lactic acid) was greater than that in the intra- and post-ECMO periods. Renal replacement, bleeding, and lower limb ischemia were the most significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients receiving VA-ECMO.
CONCLUSION
Early detection of the identified risk factors can contribute to reducing in-hospital mortality in patients on VA-ECMO. Intensive care unit nurses should provide timely and appropriate care before, during, and after VA-ECMO.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
Intensive care unit nurses should be knowledgeable about factors associated with the in-hospital mortality of patients on VA-ECMO to improve outcomes. The present findings may contribute to developing guidelines for reducing in-hospital mortality among patients considering ECMO.
PubMed: 38943815
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2024.103756