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BMC Oral Health Apr 2024Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) from several tissue sources has been proposed as a promising alternative to conventional scaffolds used in regenerative...
BACKGROUND
Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) from several tissue sources has been proposed as a promising alternative to conventional scaffolds used in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the histological outcomes of studies utilizing dECM-derived scaffolds for REPs and to analyse the contributing factors that might influence the nature of regenerated tissues.
METHODS
The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were used. A search of articles published until April 2024 was conducted in Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases. Additional records were manually searched in major endodontic journals. Original articles including histological results of dECM in REPs and in-vivo studies were included while reviews, in-vitro studies and clinical trials were excluded. The quality assessment of the included studies was analysed using the ARRIVE guidelines. Risk of Bias assessment was done using the (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool.
RESULTS
Out of the 387 studies obtained, 17 studies were included for analysis. In most studies, when used as scaffolds with or without exogenous cells, dECM showed the potential to enhance angiogenesis, dentinogenesis and to regenerate pulp-like and dentin-like tissues. However, the included studies showed heterogeneity of decellularization methods, animal models, scaffold source, form and delivery, as well as high risk of bias and average quality of evidence.
DISCUSSION
Decellularized ECM-derived scaffolds could offer a potential off-the-shelf scaffold for dentin-pulp regeneration in REPs. However, due to the methodological heterogeneity and the average quality of the studies included in this review, the overall effectiveness of decellularized ECM-derived scaffolds is still unclear. More standardized preclinical research is needed as well as well-constructed clinical trials to prove the efficacy of these scaffolds for clinical translation.
OTHER
The protocol was registered in PROSPERO database #CRD42023433026. This review was funded by the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) under grant number (44426).
Topics: Tissue Scaffolds; Regenerative Endodontics; Animals; Extracellular Matrix; Decellularized Extracellular Matrix; Dental Pulp; Models, Animal; Tissue Engineering; Regeneration
PubMed: 38689279
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04266-x -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Allergies affect approximately 10-30% of people worldwide, with an increasing number of cases each year; however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood.... (Review)
Review
Allergies affect approximately 10-30% of people worldwide, with an increasing number of cases each year; however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been suggested to play a role in allergic sensitization and skew to a T helper type 2 (Th2) response. The aim of this review is to highlight the existing evidence of EV involvement in allergies. A total of 22 studies were reviewed; 12 studies showed EVs can influence a Th2 response, while 10 studies found EVs promoted a Th1 or Treg response. EVs can drive allergic sensitization through up-regulation of pro-Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13. In addition, EVs from MRSA can induce IgE hypersensitivity in mice towards MRSA. On the other hand, EVs can induce tolerance in the immune system; for example, pre-exposing OVA-loaded EVs prevented OVA sensitization in mice. The current literature thus suggests that EVs play an essential role in allergy. Further research utilizing human in vitro models and clinical studies is needed to give a reliable account of the role of EVs in allergy.
Topics: Extracellular Vesicles; Animals; Hypersensitivity; Humans; Th2 Cells; Cytokines; Mice
PubMed: 38674077
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084492 -
Cancers Apr 2024Topical Imiquimod is an immune response modifier approved for the off-label use of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. We conducted this systematic review and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Topical Imiquimod is an immune response modifier approved for the off-label use of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of Imiquimod in treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive patients.
METHODS
The study was prospectively registered (CRD420222870) and involved a comprehensive systematic search of five medical databases on 10 October 2022. We included articles that assessed the use of Imiquimod in cervical dysplasia and HPV-positive patients. Pooled proportions, risk ratios (RRs), and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects model to generate summary estimates. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using tested by the Cochran Q tests.
RESULTS
Eight articles reported on 398 patients who received Imiquimod out of 672 patients. Among CIN-2-3 patients, we observed a pooled regression rate of 61% (CI: 0.46-0.75; : 77%). When compared, Imiquimod was inferior to conization (RR: 0.62; CI: 0.42-0.92; : 64%). The HPV clearance rate in women who completed Imiquimod treatment was 60% (CI: 0.31-0.81; : 57%). The majority of side effects reported were mild to moderate in severity.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that topical Imiquimod is safe and effective in reducing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and promoting HPV clearance. However, it was found to be inferior compared to conization. Imiquimod could be considered a potential medication for high-grade CIN patients and should be incorporated into guidelines for treating cervical dysplasia.
PubMed: 38672691
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081610 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2024To evaluate the overall prevalence of FIP infection in cats in mainland China and associated risk factors, studies on the prevalence of FIP conducted from 1 January 2008...
To evaluate the overall prevalence of FIP infection in cats in mainland China and associated risk factors, studies on the prevalence of FIP conducted from 1 January 2008 to 20 December 2023 were retrieved from five databases-CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect-and comprehensively reviewed. The 21 studies selected, with a total of 181,014 samples, underwent a rigorous meta-analysis after quality assessment. The results revealed a 2% prevalence of FIP (95% CI: 1-2%) through the random-effects model, showing considerable heterogeneity (I = 95.2%). The subsequent subgroup analysis revealed that the age and gender of cats are significant risk factors for FIP infection in mainland China. In order to effectively reduce and control the prevalence of FIP on the Chinese mainland, we suggest improving the immunity of cats, with special attention given to health management in kittens and intact cats, and continuously monitoring FIPV.
PubMed: 38672367
DOI: 10.3390/ani14081220 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The COVID-19 pandemic represented a huge obstacle for public health and demonstrated weaknesses in surveillance and health promotion systems around the world. Its... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic represented a huge obstacle for public health and demonstrated weaknesses in surveillance and health promotion systems around the world. Its etiological agent, SARS-CoV-2, of zoonotic origin, has been the target of several studies related to the control and prevention of outbreaks and epidemics of COVID-19 not only for humans but also for animals. Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, have extensive contact with humans and can acquire the infection both naturally and directly from humans. The objective of this article was to summarize the seroprevalence findings of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats and correlate them with the strength of infection risk between each of them. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis following the recommendations of PRISMA 2020. The search and selection of papers was carried out using in vivo experimental works with animals using the descriptors (MeSH/DeCS) "Animal", "Public Health", "SARS-CoV-2" and "Pandemic" (together with AND) in English, Portuguese or Spanish for Science Direct, PUBMED, LILACS and SciELO databases. The ARRIVE checklist was used for methodological evaluation and the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v2.2 software with the Difference Risk (RD) test to evaluate statistical inferences (with subgroups by continent). Cats showed greater susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 compared to dogs both in a joint analysis of studies (RD = 0.017; 95% CI = 0.008-0.025; < 0.0001) and in the American subgroup (RD = 0.053; 95% CI = 0.032-0.073; < 0.0001), unlike the lack of significant difference on the European continent (RD = 0.009; 95% CI = -0.001-0.018; = 0.066). Therefore, it was observed that cats have a greater interest in health surveillance due to the set of biological and ecological aspects of these animals, but also that there are a set of factors that can influence the spread and possible spillover events of the virus thanks to the anthropozoonotic context.
PubMed: 38668269
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040314 -
Biology Mar 2024Zebrafish are one of the most used animal models in biological research and a cost-effective alternative to rodents. Despite this, nutritional requirements and... (Review)
Review
Zebrafish are one of the most used animal models in biological research and a cost-effective alternative to rodents. Despite this, nutritional requirements and standardized feeding protocols have not yet been established for this species. This is important to avoid nutritional effects on experimental outcomes, and especially when zebrafish models are used in preclinical studies, as many diseases have nutritional confounding factors. A key aspect of zebrafish nutrition is related to feed intake, the amount of feed ingested by each fish daily. With the goal of standardizing feeding protocols among the zebrafish community, this paper systematically reviews the available data from 73 studies on zebrafish feed intake, feeding regimes (levels), and diet composition. Great variability was observed regarding diet composition, especially regarding crude protein (mean 44.98 ± 9.87%) and lipid content (9.91 ± 5.40%). Interestingly, the gross energy levels of the zebrafish diets were similar across the reviewed studies (20.39 ± 2.10 kilojoules/g of feed). In most of the reviewed papers, fish received a predetermined quantity of feed (feed supplied). The authors fed the fish according to the voluntary intake and then calculated feed intake (FI) in only 17 papers. From a quantitative point of view, FI was higher than when a fixed quantity (pre-defined) of feed was supplied. Also, the literature showed that many biotic and abiotic factors may affect zebrafish FI. Finally, based on the FI data gathered from the literature, a new feeding protocol is proposed. In summary, a daily feeding rate of 9-10% of body weight is proposed for larvae, whereas these values are equal to 6-8% for juveniles and 5% for adults when a dry feed with a proper protein and energy content is used.
PubMed: 38666821
DOI: 10.3390/biology13040209 -
Health Science Reports Apr 2024Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent malignancy in the oral cavity, with a significant mortality rate. In oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, the...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent malignancy in the oral cavity, with a significant mortality rate. In oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, the survival rate could decrease because of delayed diagnosis. Thus, prevention, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment can effectively increase the survival rate in patients. In this systematic review, we discussed the role of different genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. Herein, we aimed to summarize clinical results, regarding the potential genes that promote oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis.
METHODS
This systematic review was carried out under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. An electronic search for all relevant articles published in English between January 2018 and April 2022 was performed using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar search engines. All original studies published in English were included, and we excluded studies that were in a non-English language.
RESULTS
A total of 4682 articles were found, of which 14 were relevant and detected significant genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression. These findings investigated the overexpression of interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 and 3 (IFIT1, IFT3), high-mobility group A2 (HMGA2), transformed growth factor-beta-induced, lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP), bromodomain containing 4, COP9 signaling complex 6, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2B1 (HNRNPA2B1), 5'-3' exoribonuclease 2 (XRN2), cystatin-A (CSTA), fibroblast growth factors 8 (FGF8), forkhead box P3, cadherin-3, also known as P-cadherin and Wnt family member 5A, ubiquitin-specific-processing protease 7, and retinoic acid receptor responder protein 2 genes lead to promote metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Overexpression of some genes (IFIT1, 3, LGALS3BP, HMGA2, HNRNPA2B1, XRN2, CSTA, and FGF8) was proven to be correlated with poor survival rates in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.
CONCLUSION
Studies suggest that metastatic genes indicate a poor prognosis for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Detecting these metastatic genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients may be of predictive value and can also facilitate assessing oral squamous cell carcinoma development and its response to treatment.
PubMed: 38665153
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1977 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Jun 2024Wild birds could be a reservoir of medically relevant microorganisms, particularly multidrug-resistant Enterococcus spp. Resistant bacteria's epidemiology and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Wild birds could be a reservoir of medically relevant microorganisms, particularly multidrug-resistant Enterococcus spp. Resistant bacteria's epidemiology and transmission between animals and humans has grown, and their zoonotic potential cannot be ignored. This is the first study to evaluate the status of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in various wild bird species using meta-analysis and a systematic review. In this study, the pooled prevalence was obtained by analyzing data from published articles on the occurrence of VRE in wild bird species. It's unclear how the antibiotic resistance gene transfer cycle affects wild birds. Google Scholar and PubMed were used to conduct the research. The data and study methodology was assessed and extracted by two reviewers independently, with a third reviewing the results. Heterogeneity between study and publication bias were analyzed using the random effect model. Thirty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. 382 out of the 4144 isolates tested, were VRE. The pooled prevalence of VRE among wild birds was estimated at 11.0% (95% CI; 6.9 -17.2%; I = 93.204%; P < 0.001). There was high variability between study (t = 2.156; heterogeneity I = 93.204% with chi-square (Q) = 544.413, degrees of freedom (df) = 37, and P < 0.001). Egger's test verified the funnel plot's bias, while result from the leave-one-out forest plot had no effect on the pooled prevalence.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Birds; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Prevalence; Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
PubMed: 38657438
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.04.004 -
Avian Pathology : Journal of the W.V.P.A Jun 2024The pooled sample prevalence of poultry salmonellosis in Africa is high (14.4%).The highest PPE was recorded in meat and meat products. serotypes of zoonotic importance... (Review)
Review
The pooled sample prevalence of poultry salmonellosis in Africa is high (14.4%).The highest PPE was recorded in meat and meat products. serotypes of zoonotic importance were found in all sample types. Enteritidis and Typhimurium are common serotypes spreading in Africa.
PubMed: 38639048
DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2024.2344549 -
Open Veterinary Journal Jan 2024Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized globally as a significant health challenge, but its extent remains unclear in many regions. It is crucial to prioritize a...
BACKGROUND
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized globally as a significant health challenge, but its extent remains unclear in many regions. It is crucial to prioritize a foundational evaluation of AMR prevalence to facilitate the implementation of laboratory-based surveillance. Adopting a One Health perspective, this study outlines the present AMR status in the Middle East.
AIM
To synthesize the current state of knowledge on AMR in the Middle East, delineate the contributions of different sectors (human health, animal health, and environment), and discern the effectiveness of One Health interventions in mitigating AMR.
METHODS
An exhaustive literature search was conducted via PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Potential articles were screened and assessed for eligibility based on prescribed eligibility criteria. Data synthesis was done, and the results were reported and discussed thematically.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included in the study and published between 2019 and 2023. Most studies reveal substantial challenges in treating infections, with a significant prevalence of resistance in critical care units, particularly against extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Colistin and imipenem resistance in pediatric populations further emphasize the urgency of understanding and addressing diverse resistance mechanisms in the region. Studies on urinary pathogens, bacteremia, and biofilm formation highlight the multifaceted challenge of AMR. The emergence of resistance to key antibiotics emphasizes the urgency for tailored treatment strategies.
CONCLUSION
Given the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, a One Health perspective is imperative. The diverse challenge demands coordinated efforts, including innovative interventions and public health policies. Bridging existing gaps through future research is crucial for evidence-based and context-specific strategies in combating AMR in the region.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; One Health; Carbapenems; Bacteria; Middle East
PubMed: 38633186
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i1.53