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Journal of Diabetes Science and... Jun 2024Digital twin is a new concept that is rapidly gaining recognition especially in the medical field. Indeed, being a virtual representation of real-world entities and... (Review)
Review
Digital twin is a new concept that is rapidly gaining recognition especially in the medical field. Indeed, being a virtual representation of real-world entities and processes, a digital twin can be used to accurately represent the patients' disease, clarify the treatment target, and realize personalized and precise therapies. However, despite being a revolutionary concept, the diffusion of digital twins in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is still limited. In this systematic review, we analyzed structure, operating conditions, and characteristics of digital twins being developed for T1D. Our search covered published documents until March 2024: 220 publications were identified, 37 of which were duplicated entries; in addition, 173 publications were removed after inspection of titles, abstracts, and keywords; and finally, 11 publications were fully reviewed, of which 8 were deemed eligible for inclusion. We found that all eight methodologies are not comprehensive multi-scale virtual replicas of the individual with T1D, but they all focus on describing glucose-insulin metabolism, aiming to simulate glucose concentration resultant from therapeutic interventions. In this review, we will compare and analyze different factors characterizing these digital twins, such as operating principles (mathematical model, twinning procedure, validation and assessment) and the key aspects for practical adoption (inclusion of physical activity, data required for twinning, open-source availability). We will conclude the paper listing which, in our opinion, are the current limitations and future directives of digital twins in T1D, hoping that this article can be helpful to researchers working on diabetes technologies to further develop the use of such an important instrument.
PubMed: 38887022
DOI: 10.1177/19322968241262112 -
Annals of Surgery Open : Perspectives... Mar 2024Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for detection and staging in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Although liver...
BACKGROUND
Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for detection and staging in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Although liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to CT in detecting small lesions, guidelines are ambiguous regarding the added value of an additional liver MRI in the surgical workup of patients with CRLM. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical added value of liver MRI in patients eligible for resection or ablation of CRLM based on CT.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases through June 23, 2023. Studies investigating the impact of additional MRI on local treatment plan following CT in patients with CRLM were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The pooled weighted proportions for the primary outcome were calculated using random effect meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Overall, 11 studies with 1440 patients were included, of whom 468 patients (32.5%) were assessed for change in local treatment plan. Contrast-enhanced liver MRI was used in 10 studies, including gadoxetic acid in 9 studies. Liver MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging was used in 8 studies. Pooling of data found a 24.12% (95% confidence interval, 15.58%-32.65%) change in the local treatment plan based on the added findings of liver MRI following CT. Sensitivity analysis including 5 studies (268 patients) focusing on monophasic portal venous CT followed by gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging showed a change of local treatment plan of 17.88% (95% confidence interval, 5.14%-30.62%).
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis found that liver MRI changed the preinterventional local treatment plan in approximately one-fifth of patients eligible for surgical resection or ablation of CRLM based on CT. These findings suggest a clinically relevant added value of routine liver MRI in the preinterventional workup of CRLM, which should be confirmed by large prospective studies.
PubMed: 38883954
DOI: 10.1097/AS9.0000000000000401 -
European Journal of Radiology Jun 2024Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas (LC/HPC) constitute about 24 % of head and neck cancers, causing more than 90,000 annual deaths worldwide. Diffusion-Weighted... (Review)
Review
The clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging in diagnosing and predicting treatment response of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas (LC/HPC) constitute about 24 % of head and neck cancers, causing more than 90,000 annual deaths worldwide. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI), is currently widely studied in oncologic imaging and can aid in distinguishing cellular tumors from other tissues. Our objective was to review the effectiveness of DWI in three areas: diagnosing, predicting prognosis, and predicting treatment response in patients with LC/HPC.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. A meta-analysis by calculating Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) was conducted on diagnostic studies.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies were included. All diagnostic studies (n = 9) were able to differentiate between the LC/HPC and other benign laryngeal/hypopharyngeal lesions. These studies found that LC/HPC had lower Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values than non-cancerous lesions. Our meta-analysis of 7 diagnostic studies, that provided ADC values of malignant and non-malignant tissues, demonstrated significantly lower ADC values in LC/HPC compared to non-malignant lesions (SMD = -1.71, 95 %CI: [-2.00, -1.42], ADC cut-off = 1.2 × 10 mm/s). Furthermore, among the studies predicting prognosis, 67 % (4/6) accurately predicted outcomes based on pretreatment ADC values. Similarly, among studies predicting treatment response, 50 % (2/4) successfully predicted outcomes based on pretreatment ADC values. Overall, the studies that looked at prognosis or treatment response in LC/HPC found a positive correlation between pretreatment ADC values in larynx/hypopharynx and favorable outcomes.
CONCLUSION
DWI aids significantly in the LC/HPC diagnosis. However, further research is needed to establish DWI's reliability in predicting prognosis and treatment response in patients with LC/HPC.
PubMed: 38878501
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111550 -
Global Spine Journal Jun 2024Systematic review.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common spinal cord disorder necessitating surgery. We aim to explore how effectively diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can distinguish DCM from healthy individuals and assess the relationship between DTI metrics and symptom severity.
METHODS
We included studies with adult DCM patients who had not undergone decompressive surgery and implemented correlation analyses between DTI parameters and severity, or compared healthy controls and DCM patients.
RESULTS
57 studies were included in our meta-analysis. At the maximal compression (MC) level, fractional anisotropy (FA) exhibited lower values in DCM patients, while apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were notably higher in the DCM group. Moreover, our investigation into the diagnostic utility of DTI parameters disclosed high sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve values for FA (.84, .80, .83 respectively) and ADC (.74, .84, .88 respectively). Additionally, we explored the correlation between DTI parameters and myelopathy severity, revealing a significant correlation of FA (.53, 95% CI:0.40 to .65) at MC level with JOA/mJOA scores.
CONCLUSION
Current guidelines for DCM suggest decompressive surgery for both mild and severe cases. However, they lack clear recommendations on which mild DCM patients might benefit from conservative treatment vs immediate surgery. ADC's role here could be pivotal, potentially differentiating between healthy individuals and DCM. While it may not correlate with symptom severity, it might predict surgical outcomes, making it a valuable imaging biomarker for clearer management decisions in mild DCM.
PubMed: 38877604
DOI: 10.1177/21925682241263792 -
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Jun 2024Inhalation of high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) at atmospheric pressure can be toxic with dose-dependent effects on the cardiorespiratory system or the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Inhalation of high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) at atmospheric pressure can be toxic with dose-dependent effects on the cardiorespiratory system or the central nervous system. Exposure to both hyperbaric and hypobaric environments can result in decompression sickness (DCS). The effects of CO₂ on DCS are not well documented with conflicting results. The objective was to review the literature to clarify the effects of CO₂ inhalation on DCS in the context of hypobaric or hyperbaric exposure.
METHODS
The systematic review included experimental animal and human studies in hyper- and hypobaric conditions evaluating the effects of CO₂ on bubble formation, denitrogenation or the occurrence of DCS. The search was based on MEDLINE and PubMed articles with no language or date restrictions and also included articles from the underwater and aviation medicine literature.
RESULTS
Out of 43 articles, only 11 articles were retained and classified according to the criteria of hypo- or hyperbaric exposure, taking into account the duration of CO₂ inhalation in relation to exposure and distinguishing experimental work from studies conducted in humans.
CONCLUSIONS
Before or during a stay in hypobaric conditions, exposure to high concentrations of CO₂ favors bubble formation and the occurrence of DCS. In hyperbaric conditions, high CO₂ concentrations increase the occurrence of DCS when exposure occurs during the bottom phase at maximum pressure, whereas beneficial effects are observed when exposure occurs during decompression. These opposite effects depending on the timing of exposure could be related to 1) the physical properties of CO₂, a highly diffusible gas that can influence bubble formation, 2) vasomotor effects (vasodilation), and 3) anti-inflammatory effects (kinase-nuclear factor and heme oxygenase-1 pathways). The use of O₂-CO₂ breathing mixtures on the surface after diving may be an avenue worth exploring to prevent DCS.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Atmospheric Pressure; Carbon Dioxide; Decompression Sickness; Diving
PubMed: 38870953
DOI: 10.28920/dhm54.2.110-119 -
Psychiatry Research. Neuroimaging Jun 2024A substantial portion of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) patients exhibit resistance to antipsychotic treatments, emphasizing the need for reliable treatment... (Review)
Review
A substantial portion of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) patients exhibit resistance to antipsychotic treatments, emphasizing the need for reliable treatment response biomarkers. Previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have identified various imaging predictors in SSD. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of diffusion MRI sequences, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), in predicting antipsychotic response in SSD patients. A systematic search for relevant articles was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science on February 11, 2024. Twelve studies involving a total of 742 patients were systematically reviewed. The baseline DTI/DWI biomarkers revealed significant associations with antipsychotic treatment response. Notably a consistent negative link was found between response and baseline fractional anisotropy (FA) in fronto-temporo-limbic white matter tracts, specifically the superior longitudinal fasciculus, providing moderate-level evidence. In addition, weak-level evidence was found for the negative association between the treatment response and baseline FA in the corpus callosum, internal, and external capsule tracts. Collectively, this review demonstrated that obtaining pre-treatment brain diffusion MRI scans, particularly from white matter tracts of fronto-temporo-limbic network, can assist in delineating the treatment response trajectory in patients with SSD. However, additional larger randomized controlled trials are required to further substantiate these findings.
PubMed: 38870842
DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2024.111841 -
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and... Jun 2024
PubMed: 38859662
DOI: 10.1177/12034754241260021 -
European Journal of Radiology Jun 2024Systematic reviews on the grading of STS using MRI are lacking. This review analyses the role of different MRI features in inferring the histological grade of STS. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Systematic reviews on the grading of STS using MRI are lacking. This review analyses the role of different MRI features in inferring the histological grade of STS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was conducted and is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist. The electronic databases of PubMed/MEDLINE were systematically searched for literature addressing the correlation of MRI findings in soft tissue sarcoma with tumor grade. As keywords "MRI", "magnetic resonance imaging", "sarcoma", "grade", "grading", and "FNCLCC" have been selected.
RESULTS
14 studies have been included in this systematic review. Tumor size (p = 0.015 (51 patients) to p = 0.81 (36 patients)), tumor margin (p < 0.001 (95 patients) to 0.93 (36 patients)), necrosis (p = 0.004 (50 patients) to p = 0.65 (95 patients)), peritumoral edema (p = 0.002 (130 patients) to p = 0.337 (40 patients)), contrast enhancement (p < 0.01 (50 patients) to 0.019 (51 patients)) and polycyclic/multilobulated tumor configuration (p = 0.008 (71 patients)) were significantly associated with STS malignancy grade in most of the included studies. Heterogeneity in T2w images (p = 0.003 (130 patients) to 0.202 (40 patients)), signal intensity in T1w images/ hemorrhage (p = 0.02 (130 patients) to 0.5 (31 patients)), peritumoral contrast enhancement (p < 0.001 (95 patients) to 0.253 (51 patients)) and tumoral diffusion restriction (p = 0.01 (51 patients) to 0.53 (52 patients)) were regarded as significantly associated with FNCLCC grade in some of the studies which investigated these features. Most other MRI features were not significant.
CONCLUSION
Several MRI features, such as tumor size, necrosis, peritumoral edema, peritumoral contrast enhancement, intratumoral contrast enhancement, and polycyclic/multilobulated tumor configuration may indicate the malignancy grade of STS. However, further studies are needed to gain consensus.
PubMed: 38852328
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111548 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Jun 2024The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious public health issue. In COVID-19 patients, the elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines lead to the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious public health issue. In COVID-19 patients, the elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines lead to the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms, such as lung tissue edema, lung diffusion dysfunction, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), secondary infection, and ultimately mortality. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, thus providing a potential treatment option for COVID-19. The number of clinical trials of MSCs for COVID-19 has been rising. However, the treatment protocols and therapeutic effects of MSCs for COVID-19 patients are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was performed to systematically determine the safety and efficacy of MSC infusion in COVID-19 patients.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive literature search from PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library up to 22 November 2023 to screen for eligible randomized controlled trials. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for searched literature were formulated according to the PICOS principle, followed by the use of literature quality assessment tools to assess the risk of bias. Finally, outcome measurements including therapeutic efficacy, clinical symptoms, and adverse events of each study were extracted for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 14 randomized controlled trials were collected. The results of enrolled studies demonstrated that patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received MSC inoculation showed a decreased mortality compared with counterparts who received conventional treatment (RR: 0.76; 95% CI [0.60, 0.96]; p = 0.02). Reciprocally, MSC inoculation improved the clinical symptoms in patients (RR: 1.28; 95% CI [1.06, 1.55]; p = 0.009). In terms of immune biomarkers, MSC treatment inhibited inflammation responses in COVID-19 patients, as was indicated by the decreased levels of CRP and IL-6. Importantly, our results showed that no significant differences in the incidence of adverse reactions or serious adverse events were monitored in patients after MSC inoculation.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis demonstrated that MSC inoculation is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Without increasing the incidence of adverse events or serious adverse events, MSC treatment decreased patient mortality and inflammatory levels and improved the clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients. However, large-cohort randomized controlled trials with expanded numbers of patients are required to further confirm our results.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome; Mesenchymal Stem Cells
PubMed: 38851730
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05358-6 -
PloS One 2024Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections have emerged as the most common therapeutic approach for the management of diabetic macular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study
Comparative efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor on diabetic macular edema diagnosed with different patterns of optical coherence tomography: A network meta-analysis.
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections have emerged as the most common therapeutic approach for the management of diabetic macular edema (DME). Despite their proven superiority over other interventions, there is a paucity of data regarding the relative effectiveness of anti-VEGF agents in treating DME diagnosed with different patterns of optical coherence tomography (OCT). In this regard, we conducted a systematic review and comparative analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and conbercept in the management of DME with diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular edema (CME), and serous retinal detachment (SRD) patterns identified using OCT. Our study encompassed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang Data from their inception until January 25, 2023. The network meta-analysis involved the inclusion of 1606 patients from 20 retrospective studies with a moderate risk of bias but no evidence of publication bias. The DRT group had the highest increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with anti-VEGF, while the SRD group had the greatest reduction in Central Macular Thickness (CMT). Furthermore, conbercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab, respectively, showed the best treatment outcomes for patients with DRT, CME, and SRD in terms of improvement in BCVA. And, conbercept exhibited the highest reduction in CMT in the DRT, CME, and SRD groups. In conclusion, our study highlights the efficacy of anti-VEGF agents in the management of DME and provides valuable insights into the selection of anti-VEGF agents tailored to the individual needs of patients.
Topics: Humans; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Bevacizumab; Diabetic Retinopathy; Intravitreal Injections; Macular Edema; Network Meta-Analysis; Ranibizumab; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 38848379
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304283