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Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience 2024Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including...
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and cognitive impairment. Recent research has suggested that the immune system dysregulation may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and glial cells, such as astroglia and microglia known to be involved in neuroinflammation and immune regulation, have emerged as potential players in this process. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the glial hallmarks of schizophrenia, choosing as cellular candidate the astroglia and microglia, and focusing also on disease-associated psychological (cognitive and emotional) changes. We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles that investigated the differences in astroglia and microglia in patients with schizophrenia, published in the last 5 years. The present systematic review indicates that changes in the density, morphology, and functioning of astroglia and microglia may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. The glial alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by dysregulating neurotransmission and immune responses, worsening cognitive capabilities. The complex interplay of astroglial and microglial activation, genetic/epigenetic variations, and cognitive assessments underscores the intricate relationship between biological mechanisms, symptomatology, and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
PubMed: 38419655
DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1358450 -
BMC Geriatrics Feb 2024In the background of an aging population, the risk of cognitive impairment in the older population is prominent. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may...
BACKGROUND
In the background of an aging population, the risk of cognitive impairment in the older population is prominent. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may be beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults, and the purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of neighborhood built environments on cognitive function in older adults.
METHODS
Keywords and references were searched in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies examining the relationship between the built environment and cognitive function in older adults were included. The neighborhood built environment as an independent variable was classified according to seven aspects: density, design, diversity, destination accessibility, public transportation distance, blue/green space, and built environment quality. The cognitive function as the dependent variable was classified according to overall cognitive function, domain-specific cognitive function, and incidence of dementia. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the National Institutes of Health's Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Tool.
RESULTS
A total of 56 studies were included that met the inclusion criteria, including 31 cross-sectional studies, 23 longitudinal studies, 1 cross-sectional study design combined with a case-control design, and 1 longitudinal study design combined with a case-control design. Most of the studies reviewed indicate that the built environment factors that were positively associated with cognitive function in older adults were population density, street connectivity, walkability, number of public transportation stops around the residence, land use mix, neighborhood resources, green space, and quality of the neighborhood built environment. Built environment factors that were negatively associated with cognitive function in older adults were street integration, distance from residence to main road. The relationship between residential density, destination accessibility, and blue space with cognitive function in older adults needs to be further explored.
CONCLUSION
Preliminary evidence suggests an association between the neighborhood built environment and cognitive function in older adults. The causal relationship between the built environment and cognitive function can be further explored in the future using standardized and combined subjective and objective assessment methods, and longitudinal or quasi-experimental study designs. For public health interventions on the cognitive health of older adults, it is recommended that relevant authorities include the neighborhood built environment in their intervention programs.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Walking; Environment Design; Built Environment; Cognition; Residence Characteristics
PubMed: 38408919
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04776-x -
Journal of Intellectual Disability... Jun 2024Down syndrome (DS) is the most prevalent chromosomal disorder, being the leading cause of intellectual disability. The increased life expectancy of individuals with DS... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Down syndrome (DS) is the most prevalent chromosomal disorder, being the leading cause of intellectual disability. The increased life expectancy of individuals with DS has led to a shift in the incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases, resulting in new concerns, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to analyse the blood lipid profile of a large DS cohort to establish a baseline for evaluating health risk parameters.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases to identify original articles published before July 2022. Selected studies were included in the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies reporting serum lipid levels in individuals with DS were incorporated into the analysis. The meta-analysis used the means and standard deviations extracted from the selected studies. The analysis encompassed 671 participants in the DS group and 898 euploid controls. The results indicated significant differences in total cholesterol [C] (mean difference [MD]: -3.34; CI: 95%: -4.94 to -1.73; P < 0.0001), HDL-C (MD: -3.39; CI: 95%: -6.72 to -0.06; P = 0.05) and triglycerides (MD: 21.48; CI: 95%: 9.32 to 33.65; P = 0.0005) levels between individuals with DS and their control counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with DS have less favourable blood lipid concentrations than their controls, particularly HDL-C, triglycerides, and total-C, even when grouped by age. These findings underscore the importance of closer monitoring of lipid profiles in people with DS and the necessity for specific cut-offs for this population, considering the risk for ischemic heart and Alzheimer's diseases.
Topics: Humans; Down Syndrome; Lipids; Adult; Triglycerides; Cholesterol; Young Adult; Adolescent
PubMed: 38404114
DOI: 10.1111/jir.13128 -
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice Mar 2024Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in those with diabetic foot disease is very high. Non-pharmacological interventions may improve this risk, though no previous evidence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in those with diabetic foot disease is very high. Non-pharmacological interventions may improve this risk, though no previous evidence synthesis has been completed. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of non-pharmacological interventions on CVD risk factors in diabetic ulcer disease. Multiple databases and trials registers were searched from inception to December 6th 2023. We included reports of randomised controlled trials investigating the impact of non-pharmacological interventions on cardiovascular risk in those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and current or previous diabetic foot disease. Twenty studies were included. Extracted data included: study design and setting; participant sociodemographic factors; and change in cardiovascular risk factors. Data were synthesised using random effects meta-analyses and narrative syntheses. Interventions included nutritional supplementation, collaborative care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patient education, nurse-led intervention, self-management, family support, relaxation and exercise, over a median duration of 12 weeks. Significant post-intervention changes were observed in fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin levels, insulin sensitivity and resistance, glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and C-reactive protein. No effects were detected in very low- or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol or body mass index. Non-pharmacological interventions show promise in improving CVD risk in diabetic foot disease.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Foot; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors; Cholesterol, HDL; Heart Disease Risk Factors
PubMed: 38403175
DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111590 -
Archives of Public Health = Archives... Feb 2024Personalized breast cancer screening is a novel strategy that estimates individual risk based on age, breast density, family history of breast cancer, personal history...
BACKGROUND
Personalized breast cancer screening is a novel strategy that estimates individual risk based on age, breast density, family history of breast cancer, personal history of benign breast lesions, and polygenic risk. Its goal is to propose personalized early detection recommendations for women in the target population based on their individual risk. Our aim was to synthesize the factors that influence women's decision to participate in personalized breast cancer screening, from the perspective of women and health care professionals.
METHODS
Systematic review of qualitative evidence on factors influencing participation in personalized Breast Cancer Screening. We searched in Medline, Web of science, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO for qualitative and mixed methods studies published up to March 2022. Two reviewers conducted study selection and extracted main findings. We applied the best-fit framework synthesis and adopted the Multilevel influences on the cancer care continuum model for analysis. After organizing initial codes into the seven levels of the selected model, we followed thematic analysis and developed descriptive and analytical themes. We assessed the methodological quality with the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool.
RESULTS
We identified 18 studies published between 2017 and 2022, conducted in developed countries. Nine studies were focused on women (n = 478) and in four studies women had participated in a personalized screening program. Nine studies focused in health care professionals (n = 162) and were conducted in primary care and breast cancer screening program settings. Factors influencing women's decision to participate relate to the women themselves, the type of program (personalized breast cancer screening) and perspective of health care professionals. Factors that determined women participation included persistent beliefs and insufficient knowledge about breast cancer and personalized screening, variable psychological reactions, and negative attitudes towards breast cancer risk estimates. Other factors against participation were insufficient health care professionals knowledge on genetics related to breast cancer and personalized screening process. The factors that were favourable included the women's perceived benefits for themselves and the positive impact on health systems.
CONCLUSION
We identified the main factors influencing women's decisions to participate in personalized breast cancer screening. Factors related to women, were the most relevant negative factors. A future implementation requires improving health literacy for women and health care professionals, as well as raising awareness of the strategy in society.
PubMed: 38389068
DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01248-x -
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Feb 2024Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are the result of aberrations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway. The risk of melanoma is the most...
Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are the result of aberrations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway. The risk of melanoma is the most important concern among patients with CMN for its poor prognosis. However, due to the great variability between studies, the reported risk of melanoma varied considerably, making it difficult to provide reliable information. To evaluate the prevalence, incidence density and standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) of melanoma among patients with CMN, we conducted a systematic literature search of studies providing data on the risk of melanoma in CMN patients following our registered and published protocol (PROSPERO ID# CRD42022383009). Overall, twenty-seven studies with a total of 11480 CMN patients and 82 melanoma cases were included for analysis. The prevalence of melanoma was 1.84% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13%-2.99%] in CMN patients and 2.73% (95% CI 1.67%-4.33%) in patients with large CMN (LCMN). The incidence density of melanoma was 237.56 (95% CI 97.79-575.96) per 100,000 person-years (P-Y) in CMN patients and 585.73 (95% CI 315.39-1085.29) per 100,000 P-Y in the LCMN subgroup. The SMR of melanoma was 122.27 (95% CI 11.84-1262.88) among all CMN patients and 285.97 (95% CI 50.65-1614.59) in patients with LCMN. Our research suggests that the risk of melanoma in the CMN population seems to be overestimated by previous studies, but still significantly higher than that in the normal population. In addition to the risk of melanoma, aesthetic improvement and mental health should also be taken into account when making management decisions.
PubMed: 38380707
DOI: 10.1093/ced/llae056 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Mar 2024From bacteria to metazoans, higher density populations have lower per capita metabolic rates than lower density populations. The negative covariance between population...
From bacteria to metazoans, higher density populations have lower per capita metabolic rates than lower density populations. The negative covariance between population density and metabolic rate is thought to represent a form of adaptive metabolic plasticity. A relationship between density and metabolism was actually first noted 100 years ago, and was focused on spermatozoa; even then, it was postulated that adaptive plasticity drove this pattern. Since then, contemporary studies of sperm metabolism specifically assume that sperm concentration has no effect on metabolism and that sperm metabolic rates show no adaptive plasticity. We did a systematic review to estimate the relationship between sperm aerobic metabolism and sperm concentration, for 198 estimates spanning 49 species, from protostomes to humans from 88 studies. We found strong evidence that per capita metabolic rates are concentration dependent: both within and among species, sperm have lower metabolisms in dense ejaculates, but increase their metabolism when diluted. On average, a 10-fold decrease in sperm concentration increased per capita metabolic rate by 35%. Metabolic plasticity in sperm appears to be an adaptive response, whereby sperm maximize their chances of encountering eggs.
Topics: Humans; Male; Semen; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Energy Metabolism
PubMed: 38380562
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246674 -
Cancer Causes & Control : CCC Jun 2024The association between blood lipid levels and the risk of developing liver cancer remains a subject of ongoing debate. To elucidate this association, we conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
The association between blood lipid levels and the risk of developing liver cancer remains a subject of ongoing debate. To elucidate this association, we conducted a meta-analysis by systematically incorporating data from all relevant prospective cohort studies.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases covering studies published from database inception through July 2023. This study included prospective cohort studies related to lipid profiles (e.g., total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels) that reported hazard ratios (HRs) or relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to investigate their association with the risk of liver cancer. During the analysis process, we used fixed-effects or random-effects models based on the level of heterogeneity among the studies and obtained pooled risk ratios using these models. To ensure the robustness and reliability of the study findings, we also conducted sensitivity analyses and publication bias analyses.
RESULTS
After conducting a systematic search, 12 studies were identified from a total of 11,904 articles and were included in the meta-analysis. These studies included a combined population of 10,765,221 participants, among whom 31,055 cases of liver cancer were reported. The analysis revealed that the pooled HR for the serum TC concentration (highest versus lowest) was 0.45 (95% CI = 0.35-0.58, I = 78%). For TGs, the HR was 0.67 (95% CI = 0.46-0.96, I = 86%), while for HDL-C, the HR was 0.72 (95% CI = 0.58-0.90, I = 65%). The HR for LDL-C was 0.51 (95% CI = 0.23-1.13, I = 93%).
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate that serum TC, TG, and HDL-C levels are negatively associated with liver cancer risk, suggesting that higher concentrations of these lipids are associated with a reduced risk of liver cancer. However, no significant association has been found between LDL-C levels and liver cancer risk.
Topics: Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Lipids
PubMed: 38376693
DOI: 10.1007/s10552-024-01853-9 -
Actas Urologicas Espanolas Feb 2024Patients undergoing radical cystectomy with urinary diversions (UD) are at increased risk of bone fractures compared to the general population. Although a loss of bone... (Review)
Review
Why do patients with urinary diversions have an increased risk of bone fracture? A systematic review on risk factors for osteoporosis and bone mineral density loss in this group of patients.
INTRODUCTION
Patients undergoing radical cystectomy with urinary diversions (UD) are at increased risk of bone fractures compared to the general population. Although a loss of bone mineral density (BMD) has been described in patients with UD, we still do not know with certainty why these patients follow this tendency.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a systematic review of the available literature to analyze the prevalence of osteoporosis and bone alterations in patients with ileal UD and the possible associated risk factors.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
We systematically searched PubMed® and Cochrane Library for original articles published before December 2022 according to PRISMA guidelines.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of 394 publications were identified. We selected 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria with 496 patients included. Six of the twelve studies showed decreased BMD values. Prevalence of osteoporosis was specified in three articles, with values ranging from 0% to 36%. Risk factors such as age, sex, body mass index, metabolic acidosis and renal function appear to have an impact on bone tissue reduction, while type of UD, follow-up, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathormone had less evidence or contradictory data. The heterogeneity of the studies analyzed could led to interpretation bias.
CONCLUSIONS
UD are associated with multiple risk factors for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Identifying patients at highest risk and establishing diagnostic protocols in routine clinical practice are essential to reduce the risk of fractures and the resulting complications.
PubMed: 38365091
DOI: 10.1016/j.acuroe.2023.11.009 -
Cureus Jan 2024During adolescence, significant changes unfold in the brain's maturation process. The density of white matter increases, accompanied by the pruning back of gray matter.... (Review)
Review
During adolescence, significant changes unfold in the brain's maturation process. The density of white matter increases, accompanied by the pruning back of gray matter. This critical and vulnerable period becomes especially noteworthy in the context of drug use, as adolescents are extensively exposed to substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. The concern is heightened now that cannabis has been legalized for recreational use in many places, leading to increased exposure levels. Additionally, knowledge about the impact of cannabis on neurocognitive development during this stage is limited. This knowledge gap compounds the issue, making it even more concerning. Therefore, a systematic review was carried out based on the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using medical databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Medline, Cochrane Library, Internet Archive Scholar, and Embase-Elsevier for relevant medical literature. The identified articles were reviewed, eligibility criteria were applied, and 19 research articles were identified. The final papers explored the correlation between children's and adolescents' exposure to cannabis-containing compounds and subsequent changes in the central nervous system (CNS). Findings revealed a considerable impact, ranging from transient alterations in mood to permanent cognitive function and sensory processing changes, affecting the deterioration of the quality of life of these individuals in adulthood. Presently, most studies were conducted on animals, and the few studies on humans have considerable limitations, such as the type of study, age of the population, and small samples, among others. For this reason, it is essential for the scientific community and public health organizations, in general, to conduct more studies that demonstrate the true neurobiological impact of this drug and its accessibility to young people and, based on the results, consider its legalization or propose regulations for its use and commercialization.
PubMed: 38361722
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52362