-
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Pupil dilation has been associated with the effort required to perform various cognitive tasks. At the lexical level, some studies suggest that this neurophysiological...
Pupil dilation has been associated with the effort required to perform various cognitive tasks. At the lexical level, some studies suggest that this neurophysiological measure would provide objective, real-time information during word processing and lexical access. However, due to the scarcity and incipient advancement of this line of research, its applicability, use, and sensitivity are not entirely clear. This scoping review aims to determine the applicability and usefulness of pupillometry in the study of lexical access by providing an up-to-date overview of research in this area. Following the PRISMA protocol, 16 articles were included in this review. The results show that pupillometry is a highly applicable, useful, and sensitive method for assessing lexical skills of word recognition, word retrieval, and semantic activation. Moreover, it easily fits into traditional research paradigms and methods in the field. Because it is a non-invasive, objective, and automated procedure, it can be applied to any population or age group. However, the emerging development of this specific area of research and the methodological diversity observed in the included studies do not yet allow for definitive conclusions in this area, which in turn does not allow for meta-analyses or fully conclusive statements about what the pupil response actually reflects when processing words. Standardized pupillary recording and analysis methods need to be defined to generate more accurate, replicable research designs with more reliable results to strengthen this line of research.
PubMed: 38529093
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1372912 -
Indian Journal of Psychiatry Feb 2024We systematically reviewed empirical studies of psychotherapy with Indian clients. We defined psychotherapy as an intervention aimed at treating mental disorders using... (Review)
Review
We systematically reviewed empirical studies of psychotherapy with Indian clients. We defined psychotherapy as an intervention aimed at treating mental disorders using "talk," which, in a professional medical setting, along with the therapeutic relationship, acquires medicinal value. Besides manual searches in three leading Indian psychiatry journals, we conducted digital searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. We found that the commonly practiced evidence-based psychotherapy in India follows the cognitive-behavioral model. Our findings suggest several replication studies which claimed to have used the well-established western models of cognitive behavioural paradigm but have mostly focused on basic behavioural techniques in their protocol. A few innovations were observed, and several essential errors were noted. Innovations include contextual modifications to address the difficulties and challenges faced in service delivery, while errors include deviations from protocol without adequate rationale.
PubMed: 38523761
DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_682_23 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Over 1.9 billion adult people have overweight or obesity. Considered as a chronic disease itself, obesity is associated with several comorbidities. Chronic pain affects... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Over 1.9 billion adult people have overweight or obesity. Considered as a chronic disease itself, obesity is associated with several comorbidities. Chronic pain affects approximately 60 million people and its connection with obesity has been displayed in several studies. However, controversial results showing both lower and higher pain thresholds in subjects with obesity compared to individuals with normal weight and the different parameters used to define such association (e.g., pain severity, frequency or duration) make it hard to draw straight forward conclusions in the matter. The objective of this article is to examine the relationship between overweight and obesity (classified with BMI as recommended by WHO) and self-perceived pain intensity in adults.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using the databases CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to identify original studies that provide BMI values and their associated pain intensity assessed by self-report scales. Self-report pain scores were normalized and pooled within meta-analyses. The Cochrane's Q test and I index were used to clarify the amount of heterogeneity; meta-regression was performed to explore the relationship between each outcome and the risk of bias.
RESULTS
Of 2194 studies, 31 eligible studies were identified and appraised, 22 of which provided data for a quantitative analysis. The results herein suggested that adults with excess weight (BMI ≥ 25.0) or obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0) but not with overweight (pre-obesity) alone (BMI 25.0-29.9), are more likely to report greater intensities of pain than individuals of normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9). Subgroup analyses regarding the pathology of the patients showed no statistically significant differences between groups. Also, influence of age in the effect size, evaluated by meta-regression, was only observed in one of the four analyses. Furthermore, the robustness of the findings was supported by two different sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
Subjects with obesity and excess weight, but not overweight, reported greater pain intensities than individuals with normal weight. This finding encourages treatment of obesity as a component of pain management. More research is required to better understand the mechanisms of these differences and the clinical utility of the findings.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RF2G3, identifier OSF.IO/RF2G3.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Overweight; Pain Measurement; Obesity; Weight Gain; Pain
PubMed: 38510698
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1340465 -
Beyoglu Eye Journal 2024Micro-pulse cyclophotocoagulation (MP-CPC) represents the latest iteration of minimally invasive laser procedures aimed at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) through... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Micro-pulse cyclophotocoagulation (MP-CPC) represents the latest iteration of minimally invasive laser procedures aimed at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) through the disruption of pigmented ciliary body epithelium. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety profile of the MP-CPC procedure in comparison to CW-CPC for the treatment of glaucoma.
METHODS
We initiated a search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library databases for studies that compared micro-pulse and traditional CW-CPC in terms of their efficacy and safety profiles. We employed medical subject headings terms and keywords such as "cyclophotocoagulation," "cyclodestructive," "photocoagulation," "CPC," "micropulse," "micro-pulse," and "glaucoma" within the timeframe from 2015 to 2023. We assessed the success rate, IOP reduction, antiglaucoma medications, and complications of MP-CPC and CW-CPC.
RESULTS
We included six articles in this study, comprising two randomized controlled trials, three retrospective, and one prospective cohort, published between 2015 and 2023. Five out of six reported a significant reduction in IOP for both procedures with comparable success rates observed in MP-CPC compared to CW-CPC. One article reported an increase in IOP in MP-CPC. Both groups reported a decrease in the number of antiglaucoma medications, while one study reported an increase in medications in both MP-CPC and CW-CPC groups. Complication rates were lower in the MP-CPC group with two articles reporting a significant decrease compared to the CW-CPC group.
CONCLUSION
MP-CPC has shown promising results in the treatment of glaucoma in the adult population. With comparable results in IOP reduction and fewer instances of serious ocular complications, MP-CPC may open new possibilities for the use of cyclophotocoagulation procedures in the earlier stages of glaucoma. However, its efficacy in the pediatric population and for neovascular glaucoma remains less defined, thus warranting further studies to establish optimal laser parameters for different types of glaucoma and specific populations of glaucoma patients.
PubMed: 38504958
DOI: 10.14744/bej.2024.47123 -
World Journal of Emergency Surgery :... Mar 2024Tourniquets (TQ) have been increasingly adopted in pre-hospital settings recently. This study examined the effectiveness and safety of applying TQ in the pre-hospital... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Tourniquets (TQ) have been increasingly adopted in pre-hospital settings recently. This study examined the effectiveness and safety of applying TQ in the pre-hospital settings for civilian patients with traumatic vascular injuries to the extremities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We systematically searched the Ovid Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from their inception to June 2023. We compared pre-hospital TQ (PH-TQ) use to no PH-TQ, defined as a TQ applied after hospital arrival or no TQ use at all, for civilian vascular extremity trauma patients. The primary outcome was overall mortality rate, and the secondary outcomes were blood product use and hospital stay. We analyzed TQ-related complications as safety outcomes. We tried to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (including non-RCTs, interrupted time series, controlled before-and-after studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies), if available. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated and the certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.
RESULTS
Seven studies involving 4,095 patients were included. In the primary outcome, pre-hospital TQ (PH-TQ) use significantly decrease mortality rate in patients with extremity trauma (odds ratio [OR], 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-0.86, I = 47%). Moreover, the use of PH-TQ showed the decreasing trend of utilization of blood products, such as packed red blood cells (mean difference [MD]: -2.1 [unit], 95% CI: -5.0 to 0.8, I = 99%) or fresh frozen plasma (MD: -1.0 [unit], 95% CI: -4.0 to 2.0, I = 98%); however, both are not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in the lengths of hospital and intensive care unit stays. For the safety outcomes, PH-TQ use did not significantly increase risk of amputation (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.68, I = 60%) or compartment syndrome (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.37 to 2.35, I = 0%). The certainty of the evidence was very low across all outcomes.
CONCLUSION
The current data suggest that, in the pre-hospital settings, PH-TQ use for civilian patients with vascular traumatic injury of the extremities decreased mortality and tended to decrease blood transfusions. This did not increase the risk of amputation or compartment syndrome significantly.
Topics: Humans; Vascular System Injuries; Hemorrhage; Tourniquets; Hospitals; Extremities; Compartment Syndromes
PubMed: 38504263
DOI: 10.1186/s13017-024-00536-9 -
Imaging predictors of progression of lumbar spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis: a systematic review.The Spine Journal : Official Journal of... Mar 2024Isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) is defined as the anterior translation of one lumbar vertebra relative to the next caudal segment as a result of a unilateral or bilateral... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) is defined as the anterior translation of one lumbar vertebra relative to the next caudal segment as a result of a unilateral or bilateral fracture of the pars interarticularis. These fractures are interchangeably known as "pars defects" or "spondylolysis." Many risk factors have been proposed to explain the progression of a spondylolytic defect to IS, however, none are validated.
PURPOSE
This systematic review provides an overview of various radiological and imaging parameters that can help predict the risk of progression of a spondylolytic defect into IS.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
METHODS
Medline, Embase and Cochrane online database were searched. The various correlations between imaging features with observed spondylolisthesis prevalence or severity or spondylolysis rates of spondylolisthesis were evaluated to provide a list of imaging risk factors to predict IS. Significance of the correlations in the original article was recorded to enable comparison of the collected evidence of separate image features.
RESULTS
All searches combined generated a total of 431 results of which 26 articles were included into this study. Of the 22 potential risk factors identified, 5 were found to be statistically insignificant, 8 were found to be significant and 9 had mixed results. The following features were found to be significant risk factors in at least on study: disc degeneration, transverse process width, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, lumbar index, thoracic kyphosis, facet joint angle above the level of defect, facet joint degeneration, facet tropism, multifidus size, lateral erector spinae size, mesenteric fat thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness and soft tissue calcification.
CONCLUSION
Our research suggests that only disc degeneration had moderately strong evidence with consistent significant associations with development of IS in patients with spondylolysis. Transverse process width, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, lumbar index, thoracic kyphosis, facet joint angle above the level of defect, facet joint degeneration, facet tropism, multifidus size, lateral erector spinae size, mesenteric fat thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness and soft tissue calcification had some evidence. All other radiological factors had weak evidence. The results of this study can be used to improve early clinical decision making for patients with spondylolysis.
PubMed: 38499064
DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.03.010 -
Hepatology Communications Apr 2024Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), encompassing alcohol-associated hepatitis and alcohol-associated cirrhosis, is rising in the United States. Racial and ethnic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), encompassing alcohol-associated hepatitis and alcohol-associated cirrhosis, is rising in the United States. Racial and ethnic disparities are evident within ALD; however, the precise nature of these disparities is poorly defined.
METHODS
We conducted a search of the PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify studies published from inception through September 2023 that reported ALD incidence, prevalence, and mortality within the United States, stratified by race and ethnicity. We calculated pooled prevalence and incidence by race and ethnicity, including risk ratios and ORs for ALD pooled prevalence and alcohol-associated hepatitis/alcohol-associated cirrhosis pooled proportions, and OR for ALD mortality using the DerSimonian and Laird method for random-effect models.
RESULTS
We identified 25 relevant studies (16 for quantitative meta-analysis), comprising 76,867,544 patients. ALD prevalence was highest in Hispanic (4.5%), followed by White (3.1%) and Black (1.4%) individuals. Pooled risk ratios of ALD prevalence were 1.64 (95% CI: 1.12-2.39) for Hispanic and 0.59 (95% CI: 0.35-0.87) for Black compared to White individuals. Mortality among those with ALD did not significantly differ between White and Hispanic (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.9-2.5; I2=0%), Black (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.8-1.6; I2=0%), or Native American (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 0.9-2.9) individuals, while there was a significant difference between White and Asian (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.03-0.5) individuals. Most data were cross-sectional and assessed to be of poor or fair quality.
CONCLUSIONS
Differences were observed in ALD epidemiology, including higher prevalence among Hispanic and lower prevalence among Black individuals, although there were smaller differences in ALD mortality. Differences in ALD prevalence and prognosis remain poorly defined based on existing data, highlighting a need for higher-quality epidemiological studies in this area.
Topics: Humans; Ethnicity; Hepatitis, Alcoholic; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; United States; Racial Groups; Health Status Disparities
PubMed: 38497931
DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000409 -
Radiation Oncology (London, England) Mar 2024Treatment related lymphopenia is a known toxicity for glioblastoma (GBM) patients and several single-institution studies have linked lymphopenia with poor survival...
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)
Treatment related lymphopenia is a known toxicity for glioblastoma (GBM) patients and several single-institution studies have linked lymphopenia with poor survival outcomes. We performed a systematic review and pooled analysis to evaluate the association between lymphopenia and overall survival (OS) for GBM patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT).
MATERIALS/METHODS
Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review of the MEDLINE database and abstracts from ASTRO, ASCO, and SNO annual meetings was conducted. A pooled analysis was performed using inverse variance-weighted random effects to generate a pooled estimate of the hazard ratio of association between lymphopenia and OS.
RESULTS
Ten of 104 identified studies met inclusion criteria, representing 1,718 patients. The lymphopenia cutoff value varied (400-1100 cells/uL) and as well as the timing of its onset. Studies were grouped as time-point (i.e., lymphopenia at approximately 2-months post-RT) or time-range (any lymphopenia occurrence from treatment-start to approximately 2-months post-RT. The mean overall pooled incidence of lymphopenia for all studies was 31.8%, and 11.8% vs. 39.9% for time-point vs. time-range studies, respectively. Lymphopenia was associated with increased risk of death, with a pooled HR of 1.78 (95% CI 1.46-2.17, P < 0.00001) for the time-point studies, and a pooled HR of 1.38 (95% CI 1.24-1.55, P < 0.00001) for the time-point studies. There was no significant heterogeneity between studies.
CONCLUSION
These results strengthen observations from previous individual single-institution studies and better defines the magnitude of the association between lymphopenia with OS in GBM patients, highlighting lymphopenia as a poor prognostic factor.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Temozolomide; Brain Neoplasms; Lymphopenia
PubMed: 38481255
DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02393-3 -
Human Reproduction Update Jul 2024With increasing significance of developmental programming effects associated with placental dysfunction, more investigations are devoted to improving the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
With increasing significance of developmental programming effects associated with placental dysfunction, more investigations are devoted to improving the characterization and understanding of placental signatures in health and disease. The placenta is a transitory but dynamic organ adapting to the shifting demands of fetal development and available resources of the maternal supply throughout pregnancy. Trophoblasts (cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and extravillous trophoblasts) are placental-specific cell types responsible for the main placental exchanges and adaptations. Transcriptomic studies with single-cell resolution have led to advances in understanding the placenta's role in health and disease. These studies, however, often show discrepancies in characterization of the different placental cell types.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
We aim to review the knowledge regarding placental structure and function gained from the use of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), followed by comparing cell-type-specific genes, highlighting their similarities and differences. Moreover, we intend to identify consensus marker genes for the various trophoblast cell types across studies. Finally, we will discuss the contributions and potential applications of scRNAseq in studying pregnancy-related diseases.
SEARCH METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature review to identify different cell types and their functions at the human maternal-fetal interface, focusing on all original scRNAseq studies on placentas published before March 2023 and published reviews (total of 28 studies identified) using PubMed search. Our approach involved curating cell types and subtypes that had previously been defined using scRNAseq and comparing the genes used as markers or identified as potential new markers. Next, we reanalyzed expression matrices from the six available scRNAseq raw datasets with cell annotations (four from first trimester and two at term), using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to compare gene expression among studies and annotate trophoblast cell markers in both first trimester and term placentas. Furthermore, we integrated scRNAseq raw data available from 18 healthy first trimester and nine term placentas, and performed clustering and differential gene expression analysis. We further compared markers obtained with the analysis of annotated and raw datasets with the literature to obtain a common signature gene list for major placental cell types.
OUTCOMES
Variations in the sampling site, gestational age, fetal sex, and subsequent sequencing and analysis methods were observed between the studies. Although their proportions varied, the three trophoblast types were consistently identified across all scRNAseq studies, unlike other non-trophoblast cell types. Notably, no marker genes were shared by all studies for any of the investigated cell types. Moreover, most of the newly defined markers in one study were not observed in other studies. These discrepancies were confirmed by our analysis on trophoblast cell types, where hundreds of potential marker genes were identified in each study but with little overlap across studies. From 35 461 and 23 378 cells of high quality in the first trimester and term placentas, respectively, we obtained major placental cell types, including perivascular cells that previously had not been identified in the first trimester. Importantly, our meta-analysis provides marker genes for major placental cell types based on our extensive curation.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
This review and meta-analysis emphasizes the need for establishing a consensus for annotating placental cell types from scRNAseq data. The marker genes identified here can be deployed for defining human placental cell types, thereby facilitating and improving the reproducibility of trophoblast cell annotation.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Placenta; Single-Cell Analysis; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Trophoblasts; Transcriptome
PubMed: 38478759
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae006 -
The Australian and New Zealand Journal... Jun 2024Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) have been associated with a range of altered cognitive functions, pertaining to signal detection, source-monitoring, memory,... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) have been associated with a range of altered cognitive functions, pertaining to signal detection, source-monitoring, memory, inhibition and language processes. Yet, empirical results are inconsistent. Despite this, several theoretical models of auditory hallucinations persist, alongside increasing emphasis on the utility of a multidimensional framework. Thus, clarification of current evidence across the broad scope of proposed mechanisms is warranted.
METHOD
A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted. Records were screened to confirm the use of an objective behavioural cognitive task, and valid measurement of hallucinations specific to the auditory modality.
RESULTS
Auditory hallucinations were primarily associated with difficulties in perceptual decision-making (i.e. reduced sensitivity/accuracy for signal-noise discrimination; liberal responding to ambiguity), source-monitoring (i.e. self-other and temporal context confusion), working memory and language function (i.e. reduced verbal fluency). Mixed or limited support was observed for perceptual feature discrimination, imagery vividness/illusion susceptibility, source-monitoring for stimulus form and spatial context, recognition and recall memory, executive functions (e.g. attention, inhibition), emotion processing and language comprehension/hemispheric organisation.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings were considered within predictive coding and self-monitoring frameworks. Of concern was the portion of studies which - despite offering auditory-hallucination-specific aims and inferences - employed modality-general measures, and/or diagnostic-based contrasts with psychologically healthy individuals. This review highlights disparities within the literature between theoretical conceptualisations of auditory hallucinations and the body of rigorous empirical evidence supporting such inferences. Future cognitive investigations, beyond the schizophrenia-spectrum, which explicitly define and measure the timeframe and sensory modality of hallucinations, are recommended.
Topics: Hallucinations; Humans; Cognition; Auditory Perception; Executive Function
PubMed: 38470085
DOI: 10.1177/00048674241235849