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Cureus Sep 2023The information for protein synthesis is given by the genes. These proteins are responsible for controlling functions like cell growth, differentiation, cell... (Review)
Review
The information for protein synthesis is given by the genes. These proteins are responsible for controlling functions like cell growth, differentiation, cell maturation, and cell death. In the case of genetic mutations, the protein functions get disturbed leading to a drastic shift in the normal physiological functions of cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation, making the normal cell cancerous. The Harvey rat sarcoma virus (HRAS) gene is an oncogene that belongs to the rat sarcoma virus (RAS) family. HRAS gene provides the instructions for making the HRAS protein that plays an important role in regulating cell division and when the HRAS gene gets mutated it gets involved in initiating cancer. HRAS mutation has been frequently noted in head and neck cancers; however, the mechanism of HRAS mutation involved in the initiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) still remains unexplored. An elaborate systematic literature search was done in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. It was found that the Ras-dependent mutations affect the involved upstream and downstream components of the Ras-Raf-MAPK (rat sarcoma virus-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma-mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway deregulating the signal leading to tumorigenesis. The Ras mutation can affect the Ras-Raf-MAPK pathway at different stages. The disease caused is based on the frequency of the HRAS mutation and it can lead to diverse cellular outcomes as it is mainly associated with cell division, differentiation, growth, survival, and the cell cycle. The crosstalk between the signaling pathways is controlled by the signaling molecules resulting in the creation of molecular networks. The balance of these molecular networks is very important to determine the cellular outcome. This systematic review inspects the molecular network of HRAS and its vital role in carcinogenesis. It is aimed at exploring and summarizing the contributions of the HRAS mutation involved in the pathogenesis of OSCC.
PubMed: 37868370
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45505 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023Respiratory diseases have a major impact on global health. The airway epithelium, which acts as a frontline defence, is one of the most common targets for inhaled... (Review)
Review
Respiratory diseases have a major impact on global health. The airway epithelium, which acts as a frontline defence, is one of the most common targets for inhaled allergens, irritants, or micro-organisms to enter the respiratory system. In the tissue engineering field, biomaterials play a crucial role. Due to the continuing high impact of respiratory diseases on society and the emergence of new respiratory viruses, in vitro airway epithelial models with high microphysiological similarities that are also easily adjustable to replicate disease models are urgently needed to better understand those diseases. Thus, the development of biomaterial scaffolds for the airway epithelium is important due to their function as a cell-support device in which cells are seeded in vitro and then are encouraged to lay down a matrix to form the foundations of a tissue for transplantation. Studies conducted in in vitro models are necessary because they accelerate the development of new treatments. Moreover, in comparatively controlled conditions, in vitro models allow for the stimulation of complex interactions between cells, scaffolds, and growth factors. Based on recent studies, the biomaterial scaffolds that have been tested in in vitro models appear to be viable options for repairing the airway epithelium and avoiding any complications. This review discusses the role of biomaterial scaffolds in in vitro airway epithelium models. The effects of scaffold, physicochemical, and mechanical properties in recent studies were also discussed.
Topics: Humans; Biocompatible Materials; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Respiratory System; Tissue Engineering; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 37834382
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914935 -
Acta Gastro-enterologica Belgica 2023Dumping syndrome is a frequent and wellknown adverse event after bariatric surgery and covers a dynamic spectrum of early and late dumping. Accelerated gastric emptying... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dumping syndrome is a frequent and wellknown adverse event after bariatric surgery and covers a dynamic spectrum of early and late dumping. Accelerated gastric emptying is generally considered to be the cause of gastrointestinal and vasomotor complaints. However, there is much uncertainty regarding the exact pathophysiology of dumping. It has been speculated that the syndrome is a desired consequence of bariatric surgery and contributes to more efficient weight loss, but supporting data are scarce.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed in July-August 2021. The prevalence of dumping after the most frequently performed bariatric procedures was analyzed, as well as underlying pathophysiology and its role in weight reduction.
RESULTS
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with the highest postoperative prevalence of dumping. The fast transit induces neurohumoral changes which contribute to an imbalance between postprandial glucose and insulin levels, resulting in hypoglycemia which is the hallmark of late dumping. Early dumping can, when received in a positive way, become a tool to maintain a strict dietary pattern, but no significant relationship to the degree of weight loss has been shown. However, late dumping is detrimental and promotes overall higher caloric intake.
CONCLUSION
Dumping syndrome is common after bariatric surgery, especially after RYGB. The pathophysiology is complex and ambiguous. Currently available data do not support dumping as a necessary condition to induce weight loss after bariatric surgery.
Topics: Humans; Dumping Syndrome; Obesity, Morbid; Prevalence; Gastrectomy; Gastric Bypass; Bariatric Surgery; Weight Loss
PubMed: 37814558
DOI: 10.51821/86.3.11476 -
Biomedicines Jun 2023During pregnancy, the placenta undergoes a natural aging process, which is considered normal. However, it has been hypothesized that an abnormally accelerated and... (Review)
Review
During pregnancy, the placenta undergoes a natural aging process, which is considered normal. However, it has been hypothesized that an abnormally accelerated and premature aging of the placenta may contribute to placenta-related health issues. Placental senescence has been linked to several obstetric complications, including abnormal fetal growth, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and stillbirth, with stillbirth being the most challenging. A systematic search was conducted on Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Twenty-two full-text articles were identified for the final synthesis. Of these, 15 presented original research and 7 presented narrative reviews. There is a paucity of evidence in the literature on the role of placental aging in late small for gestational age (SGA), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and stillbirth. For future research, guidelines for both planning and reporting research must be implemented. The inclusion criteria should include clear differentiation between early and late SGA and FGR. As for stillbirths, only those with no other known cause of stillbirth should be included in the studies. This means excluding stillbirths due to congenital defects, infections, placental abruption, and maternal conditions affecting feto-maternal hemodynamics.
PubMed: 37509425
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071785 -
Cells Jul 2023The current review aims to provide an overview of the most recent research on the potentials of concentrated growth factors used in the maxillary sinus lift technique. (Review)
Review
Maxillary Sinus Augmentation Using Autologous Platelet Concentrates (Platelet-Rich Plasma, Platelet-Rich Fibrin, and Concentrated Growth Factor) Combined with Bone Graft: A Systematic Review.
BACKGROUND
The current review aims to provide an overview of the most recent research on the potentials of concentrated growth factors used in the maxillary sinus lift technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
"PRP", "PRF", "L-PRF", "CGF", "oral surgery", "sticky bone", "sinus lift" were the search terms utilized in the databases Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed, with the Boolean operator "AND" and "OR".
RESULTS
Of these 1534 studies, 22 publications were included for this review.
DISCUSSION
The autologous growth factors released from platelet concentrates can help to promote bone remodeling and cell proliferation, and the application of platelet concentrates appears to reduce the amount of autologous bone required during regenerative surgery. Many authors agree that growth factors considerably enhance early vascularization in bone grafts and have a significantly positive pro-angiogenic influence in vivo when combined with alloplastic and xenogeneic materials, reducing inflammation and postoperative pain and stimulating the regeneration of injured tissues and accelerating their healing.
CONCLUSIONS
Even if further studies are still needed, the use of autologous platelet concentrates can improve clinical results where a large elevation of the sinus is needed by improving bone height, thickness and vascularization of surgical sites, and post-operative healing.
Topics: Maxillary Sinus; Bone Regeneration; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Fibrin
PubMed: 37443831
DOI: 10.3390/cells12131797 -
Cells Jun 2023Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) are key stromal components of the tumor microenvironment, and are essential for tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis. Accumulating... (Review)
Review
Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) are key stromal components of the tumor microenvironment, and are essential for tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis. Accumulating evidence has shown that small single-stranded non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) act as powerful endogenous regulators of TEC function and blood vessel formation. This systematic review provides an up-to-date overview of these endothelial miRNAs. Their expression is mainly regulated by hypoxia, pro-angiogenic factors, gap junctions and extracellular vesicles, as well as long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs. In preclinical studies, they have been shown to modulate diverse fundamental angiogenesis-related signaling pathways and proteins, including the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) pathway; the rat sarcoma virus (Ras)/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (Raf)/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway; the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway; and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/TGF-β receptor (TGFBR) pathway, as well as krüppel-like factors (KLFs), suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) and metalloproteinases (MMPs). Accordingly, endothelial miRNAs represent promising targets for future anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. To achieve this, it will be necessary to further unravel the regulatory and functional networks of endothelial miRNAs and to develop safe and efficient TEC-specific miRNA delivery technologies.
Topics: Humans; MicroRNAs; Endothelial Cells; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Neoplasms; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37443725
DOI: 10.3390/cells12131692 -
Strahlentherapie Und Onkologie : Organ... Dec 2023Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most represented cells of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Besides its effects on cancer cells,... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most represented cells of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Besides its effects on cancer cells, radiation therapy (RT) can alter TME composition. With this systematic review, we provide a better understanding on how RT can regulate macrophage characterization, namely the M1 antitumor and the M2 protumor polarization, with the aim of describing new effective RT models and exploration of the possibility of integrating radiation with other available therapies.
METHODS
A systematic search in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was carried out in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Articles from January 2000 to April 2020 which focus on the role of M1 and M2 macrophages in the response to RT were identified.
RESULTS
Of the 304 selected articles, 29 qualitative summary papers were included in our analysis (16 focusing on administration of RT and concomitant systemic molecules, and 13 reporting on RT alone). Based on dose intensity, irradiation was classified into low (low-dose irradiation, LDI; corresponding to less than 1 Gy), moderate (moderate-dose irradiation, MDI; between 1 and 10 Gy), and high (high-dose irradiation, HDI; greater than 10 Gy). While HDI seems to be responsible for induced angiogenesis and accelerated tumor growth through early M2-polarized TAM infiltration, MDI stimulates phagocytosis and local LDI may represent a valid treatment option for possible combination with cancer immunotherapeutic agents.
CONCLUSION
TAMs seem to have an ambivalent role on the efficacy of cancer treatment. Radiation therapy, which exerts its main antitumor activity via cell killing, can in turn interfere with TAM characterization through different modalities. The plasticity of TAMs makes them an attractive target for anticancer therapies and more research should be conducted to explore this potential therapeutic strategy.
Topics: Humans; Tumor-Associated Macrophages; Neoplasms; Macrophages; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37347290
DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02097-3 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2023Advanced chronic liver disease is characterised by a long compensated phase followed by a rapidly progressive 'decompensated' phase, which is marked by the development... (Review)
Review
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with or without stem or progenitor cell or growth factors infusion for people with compensated or decompensated advanced chronic liver disease.
BACKGROUND
Advanced chronic liver disease is characterised by a long compensated phase followed by a rapidly progressive 'decompensated' phase, which is marked by the development of complications of portal hypertension and liver dysfunction. Advanced chronic liver disease is considered responsible for more than one million deaths annually worldwide. No treatment is available to specifically target fibrosis and cirrhosis; liver transplantation remains the only curative option. Researchers are investigating strategies to restore liver functionality to avoid or slow progression towards end-stage liver disease. Cytokine mobilisation of stem cells from the bone marrow to the liver could improve liver function. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a 175-amino-acid protein currently available for mobilisation of haematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow. Multiple courses of G-CSF, with or without stem or progenitor cell or growth factors (erythropoietin or growth hormone) infusion, might be associated with accelerated hepatic regeneration, improved liver function, and survival.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of G-CSF with or without stem or progenitor cell or growth factors (erythropoietin or growth hormone) infusion, compared with no intervention or placebo in people with compensated or decompensated advanced chronic liver disease.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases, and two trial registers (October 2022) together with reference-checking and web-searching to identify additional studies. We applied no restrictions on language and document type.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We only included randomised clinical trials comparing G-CSF, independent of the schedule of administration, as a single treatment or combined with stem or progenitor cell infusion, or with other medical co-interventions, with no intervention or placebo, in adults with chronic compensated or decompensated advanced chronic liver disease or acute-on-chronic liver failure. We included trials irrespective of publication type, publication status, outcomes reported, or language.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We followed standard Cochrane procedures. All-cause mortality, serious adverse events, and health-related quality of life were our primary outcomes, and liver disease-related morbidity, non-serious adverse events, and no improvement of liver function scores were our secondary outcomes. We undertook meta-analyses, based on intention-to-treat, and presented results using risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and I statistic values as a marker of heterogeneity. We assessed all outcomes at maximum follow-up. We determined the certainty of evidence using GRADE, evaluated the risk of small-study effects in regression analyses, and conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 20 trials (1419 participants; sample size ranged from 28 to 259), which lasted between 11 and 57 months. Nineteen trials included only participants with decompensated cirrhosis; in one trial, 30% had compensated cirrhosis. The included trials were conducted in Asia (15), Europe (four), and the USA (one). Not all trials provided data for our outcomes. All trials reported data allowing intention-to-treat analyses. The experimental intervention consisted of G-CSF alone or G-CSF plus any of the following: growth hormone, erythropoietin, N-acetyl cysteine, infusion of CD133-positive haemopoietic stem cells, or infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells. The control group consisted of no intervention in 15 trials and placebo (normal saline) in five trials. Standard medical therapy (antivirals, alcohol abstinence, nutrition, diuretics, β-blockers, selective intestinal decontamination, pentoxifylline, prednisolone, and other supportive measures depending on the clinical status and requirement) was administered equally to the trial groups. Very low-certainty evidence suggested a decrease in mortality with G-CSF, administered alone or in combination with any of the above, versus placebo (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.72; I = 75%; 1419 participants; 20 trials). Very low-certainty evidence suggested no difference in serious adverse events (G-CSF alone or in combination versus placebo: RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.61; I = 66%; 315 participants; three trials). Eight trials, with 518 participants, reported no serious adverse events. Two trials, with 165 participants, used two components of the quality of life score for assessment, with ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better quality of life, with a mean increase from baseline of the physical component summary of 20.7 (95% CI 17.4 to 24.0; very low-certainty evidence) and a mean increase from baseline of the mental component summary of 27.8 (95% CI 12.3 to 43.3; very low-certainty evidence). G-CSF, alone or in combination, suggested a beneficial effect on the proportion of participants who developed one or more liver disease-related complications (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.92; I = 62%; 195 participants; four trials; very low-certainty evidence). When we analysed the occurrences of single complications, there was no suggestion of a difference between G-CSF, alone or in combination, versus control, in participants in need of liver transplantation (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.85; 692 participants; five trials), in the development of hepatorenal syndrome (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.30; 520 participants; six trials), in the occurrence of variceal bleeding (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.23; 614 participants; eight trials), and in the development of encephalopathy (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.01; 605 participants; seven trials) (very low-certainty evidence). The same comparison suggested that G-CSF reduces the development of infections (including sepsis) (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.84; 583 participants; eight trials) and does not improve liver function scores (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86; 319 participants; two trials) (very low-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
G-CSF, alone or in combination, seems to decrease mortality in people with decompensated advanced chronic liver disease of whatever aetiology and with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure, but the certainty of evidence is very low because of high risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. The results of trials conducted in Asia and Europe were discrepant; this could not be explained by differences in participant selection, intervention, and outcome measurement. Data on serious adverse events and health-related quality of life were few and inconsistently reported. The evidence is also very uncertain regarding the occurrence of one or more liver disease-related complications. We lack high-quality, global randomised clinical trials assessing the effect of G-CSF on clinically relevant outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Quality of Life; Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Liver Cirrhosis; Stem Cells; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Erythropoietin; Growth Hormone
PubMed: 37278488
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013532.pub2 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2023In collaboration with local partners, we reviewed 18 national policy documents across two sub-Saharan African countries identified as pre-dividend nations by the World...
Demographic dividend-favorable policy environment in two pre-dividend African nations: review of national policies and prospects for policy amendments in Nigeria and Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
In collaboration with local partners, we reviewed 18 national policy documents across two sub-Saharan African countries identified as pre-dividend nations by the World Bank in 2017: Nigeria and Tanzania. Our aim was to assess national policies in pre-dividend countries and to determine whether national strategies were primed to capitalize on changing demographic structures, maximally attain the demographic dividend, and augment socio-economic growth.
METHODS
We conducted policy reviews by focusing on five key sectors of the Gates Institute Demographic Dividend Framework: Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, Education, Women's Empowerment, and Labor Market. This framework was developed as a tool for countries to apply targeted policies for accelerating the demographic dividend based on their demographic structure. For each component we used a comprehensive list of indicators, defined via a systematic literature review, through which we assessed national policies aimed at maximizing the demographic dividend.
RESULTS
Between the two countries, we observed persistent gaps in policies targeting family planning. Although more comprehensive, policies addressing maternal and child health, education, women's empowerment, and labor market still lagged in their specificity and measurability. We identified specific policy amendments and alternatives that Nigeria and Tanzania could consider to mitigate these gaps. We also stress the importance of designing measurable policy initiatives across sectors.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on these recommendations, as Nigeria, Tanzania, and other pre-dividend nations start experiencing rapid demographic changes, they may consider implementing routine policy reviews to strengthen policies across the five key sectors and harness the benefits of a demographic dividend.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Nigeria; Tanzania; Policy; Family Planning Services; Demography; Developing Countries
PubMed: 37277812
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15690-z -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment May 2023Faced with the accelerated growth of cities and the consequent increase in the number of motor vehicles, urban noise levels caused by vehicular traffic have increased... (Review)
Review
Faced with the accelerated growth of cities and the consequent increase in the number of motor vehicles, urban noise levels caused by vehicular traffic have increased considerably. To assess noise levels in cities and implement noise control measures or identify the problem's location in different urban areas, it is necessary to obtain the noise levels to which people are exposed. Noise maps are tools that have applications as they are cartographic representations of the noise level distribution in an area and over a period of time. This article aims to identify, select, evaluate, and synthesize information, through a systematic literature review, on using different road noise prediction models, in sound mapping computer programs in countries that do not have a standard noise prediction model. The analysis period was from 2018 to 2022. From a previous analysis of articles, the choice of topic was based on identifying various models for predicting road noise in countries without a standardized sound mapping model. The papers compiled by a systematic literature review showed that studies concentrated in China, Brazil, and Ecuador, the most used traffic noise prediction models, were the RLS-90 and the NMPB, and the most used mapping programs were SoundPLAN and ArcGIS with a grid size of 10 × 10 m. Most measurements were carried out during a 15-min period at a height from the ground level of 1.5 m. In addition, it was observed that research on noise maps in countries that do not have a local model has been increasing over time.
Topics: Humans; Environmental Monitoring; Noise, Transportation; Motor Vehicles; Cities; China
PubMed: 37233823
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11268-9