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Phytotherapy Research : PTR Jun 2024Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder in which excess fat accumulates in hepatocytes and can lead to serious complications. Oxidative stress is one of... (Review)
Review
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder in which excess fat accumulates in hepatocytes and can lead to serious complications. Oxidative stress is one of the leading causes of NAFLD. Pomegranates are considered antioxidant-rich fruit. This systematic review study was aimed to investigate the impact of pomegranate on NAFLD. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases/search engines (from inception up to July 2023) were searched for interventional studies (human and animal) that examined the effects of supplementation with different parts of pomegranate including fruits, peels, seeds, or flower on NAFLD outcomes. A total of 222 articles were retrieved following the initial search. After excluding duplicates, the title and abstract of 114 articles were screened. Afterward, irrelevant articles were removed and the full texts of the remaining 27 articles were reviewed. Eventually, 19 articles (16 animal and three human interventional studies) that met the inclusion criteria, published between 2009 and 2023, were included in this systematic review. Our study indicates the potential beneficial effects of different parts of pomegranate on the improvement of NAFLD. However, given that the majority of the included articles were animal studies, further investigations in the form of human clinical trials are warranted to suggest a clinical indication of such interventions.
PubMed: 38923154
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8272 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024To determine whether allied health interventions delivered using telehealth provide similar or better outcomes for patients compared with traditional face-to-face... (Review)
Review
To determine whether allied health interventions delivered using telehealth provide similar or better outcomes for patients compared with traditional face-to-face delivery modes. A rapid systematic review using the Cochrane methodology to extract eligible randomized trials. Trials were eligible for inclusion if they compared a comparable dose of face-to-face to telehealth interventions delivered by a neuropsychologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, psychologist, and/or speech pathologist; reported patient-level outcomes; and included adult participants. MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases were first searched from inception for systematic reviews and eligible trials were extracted from these systematic reviews. These databases were then searched for randomized clinical trials published after the date of the most recent systematic review search in each discipline (2017). The reference lists of included trials were also hand-searched to identify potentially missed trials. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool Version 1. Fifty-two trials (62 reports, = 4470) met the inclusion criteria. Populations included adults with musculoskeletal conditions, stroke, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and/or pain. Synchronous and asynchronous telehealth approaches were used with varied modalities that included telephone, videoconferencing, apps, web portals, and remote monitoring, Overall, telehealth delivered similar improvements to face-to-face interventions for knee range, Health-Related Quality of Life, pain, language function, depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This meta-analysis was limited for some outcomes and disciplines such as occupational therapy and speech pathology. Telehealth was safe and similar levels of satisfaction and adherence were found across modes of delivery and disciplines compared to face-to-face interventions. Many allied health interventions are equally as effective as face-to-face when delivered via telehealth. Incorporating telehealth into models of care may afford greater access to allied health professionals, however further comparative research is still required. In particular, significant gaps exist in our understanding of the efficacy of telehealth from podiatrists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and neuropsychologists. PROSPERO (CRD42020203128).
PubMed: 38921331
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121217 -
Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Respiratory diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, are common reasons for seeking healthcare among refugees and asylum seekers. A systematic... (Review)
Review
Respiratory diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, are common reasons for seeking healthcare among refugees and asylum seekers. A systematic review with meta-analysis was designed to appraise all the available evidence on RSV infections among individuals in refugee camps. Three medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) as well as the preprint repository medRxiv.org were searched for eligible observational studies, and the collected cases were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I statistics. Funnel plots and a regression analysis were calculated for analyzing reporting bias. Eventually, six studies were retrieved from three areas (Bangladesh, Thailand, and Kenya), with pooled estimates of 129.704 cases per 1000 samples (95% CI 66.393 to 237.986) for RSV compared to 110.287 per 1000 people for influenza A (95% CI 73.186 to 162.889), 136.398 cases per 1000 people (95% CI 84.510 to 212.741) for human adenovirus (HAdV), 69.553 per 1000 people (95% CI 49.802 to 96.343) for parainfluenzavirus (PIFV), and 60.338 per 1000 people (95% CI 31.933 to 111.109) for human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Using influenza A as a reference group, the risk for a positive specimen was greater for RSV (relative risk [RR] 1.514, 95% CI 1.396 to 1.641) and HAdV (RR 1.984, 95% CI 1.834 to 2.146) and lower for influenza B (RR 0.276, 95% CI: 0.239 to 0.319), PIFV (RR: 0.889, 95% CI 0.806 to 0.981), and hMPV (RR 0.594, 95% CI 0.534 to 0.662). In summary, high rates of RSV infections were documented among individuals sheltered in refugee camps, stressing the importance of specifically designed preventive strategies.
PubMed: 38920751
DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia5020016 -
Current Pharmaceutical Design Jun 2024Rhus coriaria L., commonly known as Sumac, is a plant from the Anacardiaceae family that is known for its high phytochemical content. These phytochemicals have the...
BACKGROUND
Rhus coriaria L., commonly known as Sumac, is a plant from the Anacardiaceae family that is known for its high phytochemical content. These phytochemicals have the potential to effectively manage inflammation and oxidative stress. To explore the existing evidence on the impact of Sumac consumption on inflammation and oxidative stress, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to August 2023 to identify relevant studies examining the effects of Sumac on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. The selected studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane tool.
RESULTS
A total of seven trials were included in this review. Among these trials, three focused on diabetes patients, while the remaining four involved individuals with fatty liver, overweight individuals with depression, and those with polycystic ovary or metabolic syndrome. Five studies reported the effects of Sumac on oxidative stress, with four of them demonstrating a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and an increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Regarding inflammation, one study reported no significant difference in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels between the intervention and control groups. The results for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, reported in five trials, were inconsistent.
CONCLUSION
Sumac consumption over time may positively affect oxidative stress, although short-term use shows minimal impact. While one study found no significant effect on IL-6 and TNF-α, hs-CRP levels could decrease or remain unchanged. Further meta-analyses are needed to fully understand Sumac's potential benefits in managing metabolic diseases.
PubMed: 38920072
DOI: 10.2174/0113816128305609240529114411 -
Frontiers in Toxicology 2024Pyrethroids are natural organic compounds extracted from flowers of pyrethrums and commonly used as domestic and commercial insecticides. Although it is effective in...
Pyrethroids are natural organic compounds extracted from flowers of pyrethrums and commonly used as domestic and commercial insecticides. Although it is effective in insect and parasitic control, its associated toxicity, including spermotoxicity, remains a challenge globally. Currently, the available reports on the effect of pyrethroids on semen quality are conflicting, hence an evaluation of its detrimental effect is pertinent. This study conducts a detailed systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pyrethroids on sperm quality. The present study was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using a pre-defined strategic protocol, an internet search was done using combined text words. The criteria for eligibility were selected based on Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study Designs (PECO) framework, and relevant data were collected. Appraisal was done using The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool for the evaluation of the Risk of Bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group guidelines for the certainty of evidence. A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted with the Review Manager (RevMan). Only 12 out of the 4, 050 studies screened were eligible for inclusion in this study. The eligible studies were from China (4), Japan (3), Poland (3), and United States (2). All the eligible studies were cross-sectional. A total of 2, 050 male subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Pyrethroid exposure significantly reduced sperm motility. Region-stratified subgroup analyses revealed that pyrethroid significantly reduced sperm motility among men in Poland and United States, and decreased sperm count among men in Japan. Pyrethroid exposure also reduced sperm concentration among men in Poland but increased sperm concentration among men in the United States. Although the study revealed inconsistent evidence on the detrimental effect of pyrethroids on semen quality, the findings showed that pyrethroids have deleterious potentials on sperm motility, count, and concentration. Studies focusing on the assessment of semen quality in pyrethroid-exposed men, especially at specific varying levels of exposure, and employing prospective cohort studies or controlled cross-sectional designs are recommended.
PubMed: 38919453
DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1395010 -
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2024Exposure to earthquakes can cause adverse effects on the mental health of survivors, including an increased risk of PTSD. This systematic review aims to analyse the... (Review)
Review
Exposure to earthquakes can cause adverse effects on the mental health of survivors, including an increased risk of PTSD. This systematic review aims to analyse the previous secondary studies to identify the risk factors for PTSD from children to elderly earthquake survivors. In addition, it aims to consider the complexity of the joint effects of the individual, relational, and contextual risk factors, to also detect the most at-risk families. After reviewing and screening studies from the literature search through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO under the guidance of PRISMA guidelines, ten eligible secondary studies were identified that examine the risk factors for PTSD in individuals (from children to elderly) affected by worldwide earthquakes. The analysis of the included studies allowed the identification of a series of socio-demographic, pre-traumatic, peri-traumatic, and post-traumatic PTSD risk factors in children, adolescents, youth, adults, and elderly survivors. The results represent the complexity of the joint effects of these risk factors at individual, relational, and contextual levels. The consideration of the PTSD risk factors highlights the importance of individual characteristics and the type of experiences and exposure in the period before, during, and after the earthquake. This knowledge could allow the early identification of at-risk individuals of different ages and families and the implementation of intervention programmes.
Topics: Humans; Earthquakes; Family; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Survivors
PubMed: 38919135
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2365477 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Jun 2024Cancer has emerged as a considerable global health concern, contributing substantially to both morbidity and mortality. Recognizing the urgent need to enhance the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Cancer has emerged as a considerable global health concern, contributing substantially to both morbidity and mortality. Recognizing the urgent need to enhance the overall well-being and quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients, a growing number of researchers have started using online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in oncology. However, the effectiveness and optimal implementation methods of these interventions remain unknown.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the effectiveness of online MBIs, encompassing both app- and website-based MBIs, for patients with cancer and provides insights into the potential implementation and sustainability of these interventions in real-world settings.
METHODS
Searches were conducted across 8 electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, SinoMed, CINAHL Complete, Scopus, and PsycINFO, until December 30, 2022. Randomized controlled trials involving cancer patients aged ≥18 years and using app- and website-based MBIs compared to standard care were included. Nonrandomized studies, interventions targeting health professionals or caregivers, and studies lacking sufficient data were excluded. Two independent authors screened articles, extracted data using standardized forms, and assessed the risk of bias in the studies using the Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager (version 5.4; The Cochrane Collaboration) and the meta package in R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing). Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used to determine the effects of interventions. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework was used to assess the potential implementation and sustainability of these interventions in real-world settings.
RESULTS
Among 4349 articles screened, 15 (0.34%) were included. The total population comprised 1613 participants, of which 870 (53.9%) were in the experimental conditions and 743 (46.1%) were in the control conditions. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, the QOL (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.18-0.57; P<.001), sleep (SMD -0.36, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.01; P=.04), anxiety (SMD -0.48, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.20; P<.001), depression (SMD -0.36, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.11; P=.005), distress (SMD -0.50, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.26; P<.001), and perceived stress (SMD -0.89, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.45; P=.003) of the app- and website-based MBIs group in patients with cancer was significantly alleviated after the intervention. However, no significant differences were found in the fear of cancer recurrence (SMD -0.30, 95% CI -1.04 to 0.44; P=.39) and posttraumatic growth (SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.42; P=.66). Most interventions were multicomponent, website-based health self-management programs, widely used by international and multilingual patients with cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
App- and website-based MBIs show promise for improving mental health and QOL outcomes in patients with cancer, and further research is needed to optimize and customize these interventions for individual physical and mental symptoms.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022382219; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=382219.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Internet; Internet-Based Intervention; Mindfulness; Neoplasms; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38917445
DOI: 10.2196/47704 -
Military Medicine Jun 2024Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent health condition among members of the military. Although the efficacy of pharmacological and psychiatric...
INTRODUCTION
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent health condition among members of the military. Although the efficacy of pharmacological and psychiatric interventions for PTSD has been well studied, there are limited data on the effects of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) interventions on PTSD. The use of PUFAs shows promise because of their neuroprotective effects. Thus, this systematic review will synthesize the current state of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of PUFA treatment for PTSD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using the PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase, and CINAHL databases, a search of the literature was conducted using the search terms "posttraumatic-stress-disorder, combat disorders, trauma-related-stress-disorder, omega-3, fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acids" to identify articles published from January 1, 2008, to January 1, 2024, that focused on PUFA interventions for PTSD. A total of 281 articles were identified. Following exclusions and quality assessments using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria proposed by Cochrane, 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and preclinical studies were chosen for inclusion, and data were then extracted into a data matrix for final synthesis and analysis.
RESULTS
The RCTs (n = 3) showed no significant effect of PUFAs in the prevention of PTSD symptom onset. Among preclinical studies (n = 3), PUFAs resulted in a significant decrease in anxiety-like behavior and fear memory and an increase in spatial learning and memory. The quality of evidence among the 6 RCTs and preclinical studies using the Cochrane GRADE criteria ranged from low to high.
CONCLUSIONS
The results from this systematic review suggest that more evidence is needed before making any recommendations for the clinical use of dietary PUFAs in the management of PTSD symptoms.
PubMed: 38916944
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae319 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jun 2024Patients with rosacea commonly experience stigmatization, which induces stress and thereby exacerbates their symptoms. Given the strong effects of rosacea on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Patients with rosacea commonly experience stigmatization, which induces stress and thereby exacerbates their symptoms. Given the strong effects of rosacea on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), addressing the physical and psychosocial aspects of rosacea is essential. To examine the effects of rosacea on HRQoL, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis involving real-world data. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cross-sectional studies, and case series evaluating the HRQoL of patients with rosacea were included. HRQoL assessment tools such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Rosacea-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (RosaQoL) were used. Data on 13,453 patients were retrieved from 52 eligible studies: 4 RCTs, 15 case series, and 33 cross-sectional studies. Compared with healthy controls, patients with rosacea had significantly lower DLQI scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.81 to -1.37). The DLQI scores after treatment were higher than those before treatment (SMD = -1.451, 95% CI = -1.091 to -1.810). The pooled estimates for the overall DLQI and RosaQoL scores were 8.61 and 3.06, respectively. In conclusion, patients with rosacea have lower HRQoL compared with healthy individuals, and treatment for rosacea improves their HRQoL.
Topics: Rosacea; Humans; Quality of Life; Female; Surveys and Questionnaires; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Cost of Illness; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38916178
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.40053 -
Health Promotion International Jun 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on undergraduate students' mental health. Seven databases were... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on undergraduate students' mental health. Seven databases were searched and a total of 59 studies were included. Studies with a comparable control group were meta-analysed, and remaining studies were narratively synthesized. The included studies scored very low GRADE and had a high risk of bias. Meta-analyses indicated physical activity interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety (n = 20, standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.88, 95% CI [-1.23, -0.52]), depression (n = 14, SMD = -0.73, 95% CI [-1.00, -0.47]) and stress (n = 10, SMD = -0.61, 95% CI [-0.94, -0.28]); however, there was considerable heterogeneity (anxiety, I2 = 90.29%; depression I2 = 49.66%; stress I2 = 86.97%). The narrative synthesis had mixed findings. Only five studies reported being informed by a behavioural change theory and only 30 reported intervention fidelity. Our review provides evidence supporting the potential of physical activity interventions in enhancing the mental health of undergraduate students. More robust intervention design and implementation are required to better understand the effectiveness of PA interventions on mental health outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Exercise; Students; Mental Health; Anxiety; Depression; Stress, Psychological; Universities; Health Promotion
PubMed: 38916148
DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae054