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Neurology Jun 2024Knowledge of young-onset Alzheimer disease in adults with Down syndrome has greatly improved clinical care. However, little is known about dementia in rare genetic...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Knowledge of young-onset Alzheimer disease in adults with Down syndrome has greatly improved clinical care. However, little is known about dementia in rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (RGNDs). In this review, a comprehensive overview is provided of reports on dementia and cognitive/adaptive trajectories in adults with RGNDs.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted in Embase, Medline ALL, and PsycINFO on December 6, 2022. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021223041). Search terms for dementia, cognitive and adaptive functioning, and RGNDs were combined using generic terms and the Orphanet database. Study characteristics and descriptive data on genetic diagnosis, clinical and neuropathologic features, comorbidities, and diagnostic methods were extracted using a modified version of the Cochrane Data Extraction Template.
RESULTS
The literature search yielded 40 publications (17 cohorts, 23 case studies) describing dementia and/or cognitive or adaptive trajectories in adults with 14 different RGNDs. Dementia was reported in 49 individuals (5 cohorts, 20 cases) with a mean age at onset of 44.4 years. Diagnostics were not disclosed for half of the reported individuals (n = 25/49, 51.0%). A total of 44 different psychodiagnostic instruments were used. MRI was the most reported additional investigation (n = 12/49, 24.5%). Comorbid disorders most frequently associated with cognitive/adaptive decline were epilepsy, psychotic disorders, and movement disorders.
DISCUSSION
Currently available literature shows limited information on aging in RGNDs, with relatively many reports of young-onset dementia. Longitudinal data may provide insights into converging neurodevelopmental degenerative pathways. We provide recommendations to optimize dementia screening, diagnosis, and research.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Rare Diseases; Adult
PubMed: 38759134
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209413 -
Frontiers in Surgery 2024There currently exists some controversy about the efficacy of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment...
Fusion rate and complications of oblique lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
There currently exists some controversy about the efficacy of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.
AIM
This study compares the application effects of OLIF and TLIF in lumbar degenerative diseases by reviewing the literature and using meta-analysis.
METHODS
We included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing TLIF and OLIF in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. We searched for words such as "intervertebral disc degeneration," "spinal fusion," and "lumbar vertebrae" in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. The search date was set from the establishment date of the database to October 2023. Two authors independently conducted document screening, data abstraction, and qualitative assessment. A meta-analysis was performed and adapted to RevMan5.3 software. The odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% CI were calculated by adopting a fixed-effect model (FEM) or a random-effect model (REM).
RESULTS
A total of 18 cohort studies were included with 1,550 patients, of whom 806 patients underwent TLIF (TLIF group) and 744 patients underwent OLIF (OLIF group). There were no significant differences found in the fusion rate [OR = 1.58 (0.95, 2.64), = 0.08], complication rate [OR = 1.25 (0.93, 1.68), = 0.14], and visual analog scale for back pain (VAS-BP) [WMD = 0.00 (-0.13, 0.14), = 0.96] between the two groups. Compared with the TLIF group, the OLIF group had a lower Oswestry disability index (ODI) [WMD = -0.62 (-1.03, -0.20), = 0.003], a higher foramen height (FH) [WMD = 2.03 (1.42, 2.46), < 0.001], a higher disc height (DH) [WMD = 1.69 (1.17, 2.22), < 0.001], and a shorter length of stay (LOS) [WMD = -1.80 (-2.55, -1.05), < 0.001].
CONCLUSION
In the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases, compared with TLIF, OLIF has more advantages in terms of improving the lumbar function, restoring the FH and DH, and shortening the LOS. Both methods have comparable fusion rates, complication rates, and lumbar pain improvements. Due to the small amount of research and unclear assessment of the risk of bias, high-quality, large-sample randomized controlled studies are required to prove it.
PubMed: 38746621
DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1374134 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Apr 2024Postoperative physical therapy emerges as a pivotal element of the rehabilitation process, aimed at enhancing functional recovery, managing pain, and mitigating the... (Review)
Review
Postoperative physical therapy emerges as a pivotal element of the rehabilitation process, aimed at enhancing functional recovery, managing pain, and mitigating the risk of further complications. The debate concerning the optimal timing of physical therapy intervention post-surgery remains unresolved; in particular, whether to initiate physical therapy immediately or to wait weeks is of particular interest. The aim of this study is to review the available literature regarding the optimal timing of physical therapy initiation and the outcomes obtained. This review was carried out in accordance with the Preferential Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. This search was carried out in February 2024. Only peer-reviewed articles were considered for inclusion. Fourteen studies were included. The primary outcomes assessed in the included studies were the following: 12-week and 12-month low back pain, return to work, function and disability, psychological status, patient satisfaction, and complications associated with early physical therapy. A meta-analysis was performed concerning low back pain after lumbar discectomy at 12 weeks and 12 months and complications after early physical therapy after lumbar discectomy and lumbar interbody fusion. A significant difference was found between early and standard physical therapy in terms of low back pain at 12-18 months ( = 0.0062); no significant differences were found in terms of complications, both for discectomy and arthrodesis. This review indicates that employing early rehabilitation strategies for intervertebral disc disease could enhance results in terms of pain and disability without an enhanced risk of complications.
PubMed: 38731082
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092553 -
Tzu Chi Medical Journal 2024Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic and degenerative disease of the retina that leads to irreversible blindness. There is no proven effective treatment...
OBJECTIVES
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic and degenerative disease of the retina that leads to irreversible blindness. There is no proven effective treatment for early AMD and advanced AMD. Mediterranean diet (MD) has been linked to reducing the risk or delaying the progression of AMD. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the potential of MD as a modifiable risk factor for AMD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was performed in three databases: PubMed, EBSCO host, and Proquest. We search for studies that determine the association of MD in AMD. Then, we pooled the data for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Eight studies were included in our systematic review. Seven studies were included for meta-analysis. Subjects with medium-high (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-0.90) adherence to the MD showed a reduced risk of developing AMD. Moreover, medium adherence AMD shows a significant and inverse relationship with the progression to advanced AMD (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.81-0.93). Although it is still inconsistent, the reduction appears stronger for geographic atrophy than for neovascular AMD.
CONCLUSION
Adhering to the MD, particularly at a medium to high level, appears to confer a protective effect against AMD. The sub-analysis demonstrates even that there is a protective effect associated with moderate adherence against advanced AMD. The presence of considerable heterogeneity within the results warrants cautious interpretation. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding.
PubMed: 38645781
DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_153_23 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Apr 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder distinguished by a swift cognitive deterioration accompanied by distinctive pathological hallmarks such as... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder distinguished by a swift cognitive deterioration accompanied by distinctive pathological hallmarks such as extracellular Aβ (β-amyloid) peptides, neuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), sustained neuroinflammation, and synaptic degeneration. The elevated frequency of AD cases and its proclivity to manifest at a younger age present a pressing challenge in the quest for novel therapeutic interventions. Numerous investigations have substantiated the involvement of C/EBPβ in the progression of AD pathology, thus indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for AD treatment.
AIMS
Several studies have demonstrated an elevation in the expression level of C/EBPβ among individuals afflicted with AD. Consequently, this review predominantly delves into the association between C/EBPβ expression and the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease, elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism, and pointing out the possibility that C/EBPβ can be a new therapeutic target for AD.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and so on, utilizing predetermined keywords and MeSH terms, without temporal constraints. The inclusion criteria encompassed diverse study designs, such as experimental, case-control, and cohort studies, restricted to publications in the English language, while conference abstracts and unpublished sources were excluded.
RESULTS
Overexpression of C/EBPβ exacerbates the pathological features of AD, primarily by promoting neuroinflammation and mediating the transcriptional regulation of key molecular pathways, including δ-secretase, apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein-32A (ANP32A), transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1), and Forkhead BoxO (FOXO).
DISCUSSION
The correlation between overexpression of C/EBPβ and the pathological development of AD, along with its molecular mechanisms, is evident. Investigating the pathways through which C/EBPβ regulates the development of AD reveals numerous multiple vicious cycle pathways exacerbating the pathological progression of the disease. Furthermore, the exacerbation of pathological progression due to C/EBPβ overexpression and its molecular mechanism is not limited to AD but also extends to other neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS).
CONCLUSION
The overexpression of C/EBPβ accelerates the irreversible progression of AD pathophysiology. Additionally, C/EBPβ plays a crucial role in mediating multiple pathways linked to AD pathology, some of which engender vicious cycles, leading to the establishment of feedback mechanisms. To sum up, targeting C/EBPβ could hold promise as a therapeutic strategy not only for AD but also for other degenerative diseases.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta; Disease Progression; Animals; Amyloid beta-Peptides
PubMed: 38644578
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14721 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Feb 2024Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MISACE) is a novel technique of spinal cord preconditioning used to reduce the risk of paraplegia in... (Review)
Review
The Safety and Outcome of Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MISACE) Prior Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Single-Center Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND
Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MISACE) is a novel technique of spinal cord preconditioning used to reduce the risk of paraplegia in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. In this study, we report our experience with MISACE, including both degenerative and post-dissection TAAA, while we attempt to systematically summarize relevant data available in the literature.
DESIGN
single-center observational study with systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Initial retrospective analysis of 7 patients undergoing MISACE over 12 sessions with a subsequent systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the available published data (PROSPERO protocol number: CRD42023477411). Baseline patient and aneurysm characteristics, along with procedural technique and outcomes, were analyzed. One-arm pooling of proportions was used to summarize available published data.
RESULTS
We treated seven patients (5 males, 71%) with a median age of 69 years (IQR 55,69). According to the Crawford classification, five patients (1%) had extent II TAAA, and two (29%) had extent III TAAA. Five patients (71%) had post-dissection -TAAA; four of them were after Stanford type A dissection, and one had a chronic type B dissection. Three patients (43%) had connective tissue disease. Of the seven patients, six (86%) underwent previous aortic surgery, while the median aneurysm diameter was 58 mm (IQR 55,58). MISACE was successful in 11 sessions (92%). The median number of embolized arteries was 4 (IQR 1,4). There were no periprocedural complications in any embolization. The median embolization-operation time interval was 37.0 days (IQR 31,78). Two patients had open and five endovascular treatment. There were no events of spinal cord ischemia either after MISACE or after the aortic repair. Out of the 432 initially retrieved articles, we included two studies in the meta-analysis, including patients with MISACE for spinal cord preconditioning in addition to our cohort. The prevalence of pooled postoperative spinal cord ischemia among MISACE patients is 1.9% (95% CI -0.028 to 0.066, = 0.279; 3 studies; 81 patients, 127 coiling sessions).
CONCLUSIONS
While the current published data is limited, our study further confirms that MISACE is a technically feasible and safe option for spinal cord preconditioning.
PubMed: 38592242
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051408 -
PeerJ 2024Ultrasound therapy is one of the preferred conservative treatments for patients with plantar fasciitis. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic...
Effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound on reducing pain intensity and functional disability in patients with plantar fasciitis: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound therapy is one of the preferred conservative treatments for patients with plantar fasciitis. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound in decreasing pain intensity and improving functional disability in patients with plantar fasciitis.
METHODS
Five randomised control trials (RCT) were selected based on an electronic search in PubMed, Trip Database and PEDro. To be included in the systematic review, the study should be an RCT which investigated the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound conducted in patients with plantar fasciitis with pain intensity and functional disability as outcome measures. Only studies published in peer-reviewed journals written in the English language were included. The quality of the selected studies was measured by the PEDro scale.
RESULTS
All the included studies showed that ultrasound therapy is beneficial in reducing pain score and improving functional disability, except one study did not recommend using ultrasound therapy for plantar fasciitis. Moreover, regarding another outcome measure, two studies found that ultrasound therapy reduces thickness and tenderness in plantar fasciitis and improves static and dynamic balance.
CONCLUSION
After reviewing the five studies, this systematic review support using ultrasound therapy to decrease pain and improve functional disability in patients with plantar fasciitis.
STUDY REGISTRATION
https://osf.io/xftzy/.
Topics: Humans; Fasciitis, Plantar; Pain Measurement; Ultrasonic Therapy; Pain; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 38529309
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17147 -
Journal of Epidemiology and Global... Mar 2024Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) leads to pain, joint instability, and early degenerative joint disease. Incidence, prevalence, and management strategies of DDH... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) leads to pain, joint instability, and early degenerative joint disease. Incidence, prevalence, and management strategies of DDH have been well-documented in several countries, but not in Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
We synthesized the current evidence regarding incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and clinical treatment for children with DDH in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
We searched 3 databases to locate studies. Studies that included children with DDH in Saudi Arabia; reported either incidence rate, prevalence, risk factors, and/or clinical practice; and were available in English or Arabic were included. We excluded reviews, case studies, or animal studies. Two independent authors reviewed potential studies and assessed study's quality.
RESULTS
Our search yielded 67 potential studies, of which 16 studies were included (total DDH sample = 3,127; age range = 2.5 to 86.4 months). Three studies reported incidence rates ranging from 3.1 to 4.9 per 1000 births, and 3 studies reported prevalence ranging from 6 to 78%. Nine studies reported that female sex, breech position, family history, and age less than 3 years were risk factors associated with DDH. Four studies reported that brace applications and closed reduction were conservative treatments, and 9 studies reported that open hip reduction, adductor tenotomy, and/or pelvic osteotomy were surgical approaches to treat DDH.
CONCLUSIONS
In Saudi Arabia, the Incidence and prevalence rates of DDH are 3.1 to 4.9 per 1,000 births, and 6-78%, respectively (differ from what has been reported in other countries), but the risk factors of DDH in Saudi Arabia appear to be similar in comparison to other countries (female, breech presentation, family history of DDH).
PubMed: 38483754
DOI: 10.1007/s44197-024-00217-5 -
Global Spine Journal Mar 2024Systematic review and meta-analysis. (Review)
Review
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the radiographic risk factors for adjacent segment disease (ASD) following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical spine pathologies.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched up to December 2023. The primary inclusion criteria were degenerative spinal conditions treated with ACDF, comparing radiological parameters in patients with and without postoperative ASD. The radiographic parameters included intervertebral disc height, cervical sagittal alignment, sagittal segmental alignment, range of motion, segmental height, T1 slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic inlet angle (TIA), and plate to disc distance (PPD). Risk of bias was assessed for all studies. The Cochrane Review Manager was utilized to perform the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
From 7044 articles, 13 retrospective studies were included in the final analysis. Three studies had "not serious" bias and the other 10 studies had serious or very serious bias. The total number of patients in the included studies was 1799 patients. Five studies included single-level ACDF, 2 studies included multi-level ACDF, and 6 studies included single or multi-level ACDF. On meta-analysis, the significant risk factors associated with ASD development were reduced postoperative cervical lordosis (mean difference [MD] = 3.35°, = .002), reduced last-follow-up cervical lordosis (MD = -3.02°, = .0003), increased preoperative to postoperative cervical sagittal alignment change (MD = -3.68°, = .03), and the presence of developmental cervical canal stenosis (Odds ratio [OR] = 4.17, < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Decreased postoperative cervical lordosis, greater change in cervical sagittal alignment and developmental cervical canal stenosis were associated with an increased risk of ASD following ACDF.
PubMed: 38469858
DOI: 10.1177/21925682241237500 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Mar 2024Retinal degenerative disorders (RDDs) cause vision loss by damaging retinal neurons and photoreceptors, affecting individuals of all ages. Cell-based therapy has emerged... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Retinal degenerative disorders (RDDs) cause vision loss by damaging retinal neurons and photoreceptors, affecting individuals of all ages. Cell-based therapy has emerged as an effective approach for the treatment of RDDs with promising results. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of cell therapy in treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and Stargardt macular degeneration (SMD) as the most prevalent RDDs.
METHODS
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched using keywords related to various retinal diseases and cell therapy treatments until November 25th, 2023. The studies' quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) checklist for quasi-experimental studies. Visual acuity measured as LogMAR score was used as our main outcome. A three-level random-effect meta-analysis was used to explore the visual acuity in patients who received cell-based therapy. Heterogeneity among the included studies was evaluated using subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Moreover, meta-regression for the type of cells, year of publication, and mean age of participants were performed.
RESULTS
Overall, 8345 studies were retrieved by the search, and 39 met the eligibility criteria, out of which 18 studies with a total of 224 eyes were included in the meta-analysis. There were 12 studies conducted on AMD, 7 on SMD, and 2 on RP. Cell therapy for AMD showed significant improvement in LogMAR (p < 0.05). Also, cell therapy decreased the LogMAR score in SMD and RP (p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Across all conditions, no substantial publication bias was detected (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study highlight that the application of cell therapy can enhance the visual acuity in AMD, SMD, and RP.
Topics: Humans; Retina; Macular Degeneration; Visual Acuity; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
PubMed: 38431596
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05016-x