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Thrombosis Journal Jul 2023Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common thrombotic vascular disease that has a significant impact on people's well-being and quality of life. A plethora of clinical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common thrombotic vascular disease that has a significant impact on people's well-being and quality of life. A plethora of clinical studies explore the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and VTE but yield conflicting results. This article proposed to pool these studies to draw a more convincing conclusion.
METHODS
We searched several databases for studies before April 2023. Available data was processed using Stata software (version 15.0 SE) and R (version 4.1.2). This meta-analysis has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022321815). The VTE in this review encompassed pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and cerebral venous thrombosis.
RESULTS
A total of 25 articles were finally involved in this study. Our results revealed that higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, MD, 0.63, 95%CI, 0.21-1.05) and C-reactive protein (CRP)> 3ug/ml (OR, 1.52, 95%CI, 1.18-1.96) might be regarded as risk factors for future VTE occurrence. The elevated levels of monocyte (MD, 0.03, 95%CI, 0.00-0.05), hs-CRP (0.85, 0.61-1.08), CRP (0.66, 0.20-1.13) and IL-6 (0.47, 0.25-0.70) might represent the previous VTE; a series of markers such as white blood cell (1.43, 0.88-1.98), neutrophil (1.79, 1.02-2.56), monocyte (0.17, 0.14-0.21), hs-CRP (3.72, 1.45-5.99), IL-6 (5.99, 4.52-7.46), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (33.1, 24.45-41.78) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (1.34, 0.95-1.73) increased during the acute phase of VTE.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, activated inflammatory biomarkers might not only be correlated with an increased risk of VTE, but may also give a hint of the occurrence of VTE in clinical settings.
PubMed: 37525162
DOI: 10.1186/s12959-023-00526-y -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023The present systematic scoping review aimed at mapping and analyzing the available literature on biological fluid (biofluid) biomarkers showing promise in the prediction... (Review)
Review
The present systematic scoping review aimed at mapping and analyzing the available literature on biological fluid (biofluid) biomarkers showing promise in the prediction of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) recurrence and the prognosis of neurological/functional patient outcome. Twenty-three studies published between 2003 and 2023 investigating a diverse range of biomarkers in hematoma fluid and/or the circulation in 3749 patients were included. Immune cell populations and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines comprised the most studied category of biomarkers displaying significant findings. A notable time trend in biomarker studies was a recent shift in research focus towards the analysis of circulating biomarkers. Several biomarkers were indicated as independent predictors of cSDH recurrence and/or functional/neurological outcome, including circulating fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP-1) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the ratios of blood neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) or red blood cell distribution width to platelet count (RPR). While studies on cSDH prognostic biomarkers have gained, in recent years, momentum, additional multicenter prospective studies are warranted to confirm and extend their findings. The identification of prognostic biofluid biomarkers in cSDH is an active field of research that may provide future tools, guiding clinical decisions and allowing for the design of treatments based on risk stratification.
PubMed: 37510193
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13142449 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting 6-10% of women of reproductive age. It is an important cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain with poorly understood...
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting 6-10% of women of reproductive age. It is an important cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain with poorly understood aetiology. CD8+ T (CD8 T) cells were shown to be linked to infertility and chronic pain and play a significant role in lesion clearance in other pathologies, yet their function in endometriosis is unknown. We systematically evaluated the literature on the CD8 T in peripheral blood and endometriosis-associated tissues to determine the current understanding of their pathophysiological and clinical relevance in the disease and associated conditions (e.g. infertility and pelvic pain).
METHODS
Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL), from database inception until September 2022, for papers written in the English language with database-specific relevant terms/free-text terms from two categories: CD8 T cells and endometriosis. We included peer-reviewed papers investigating CD8 T cells in peripheral blood and endometriosis-associated tissues of patients with surgically confirmed endometriosis between menarche and menopause, and animal models with oestrous cycles. Studies enrolling participants with other gynaecological pathologies (except uterine fibroids and tubal factor infertility used as controls), cancer, immune diseases, or taking immune or hormonal therapy were excluded.
RESULTS
28 published case-control studies and gene set analyses investigating CD8 T cells in endometriosis were included. Data consistently indicate that CD8 T cells are enriched in endometriotic lesions in comparison to eutopic endometrium, with no differences in peripheral blood CD8 T populations between patients and healthy controls. Evidence on CD8 T cells in peritoneal fluid and eutopic endometrium is conflicting. CD8 T cell cytotoxicity was increased in the menstrual effluent of patients, and genomic analyses have shown a clear trend of enriched CD8 T effector memory cells in the eutopic endometrium of patients.
CONCLUSION
Literature on CD8 T cells in endometriosis-associated tissues is inconsistent. Increased CD8 T levels are found in endometriotic lesions, however, their activation potential is understudied in all relevant tissues. Future research should focus on identifying clinically relevant phenotypes to support the development of non-invasive diagnostic and treatment strategies.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO identifier CRD42021233304.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Endometriosis; Endometrium; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Infertility; Pelvic Pain
PubMed: 37497226
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225639 -
Scottish Medical Journal Aug 2023This review aimed to examine if the platelet-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio can be useful in determining disease activity in patients with inflammatory... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This review aimed to examine if the platelet-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio can be useful in determining disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
METHODS
PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies published up to 9 January 2023. Platelet-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio values from active and remission inflammatory bowel disease cases were compared to generate a mean difference (MD).
RESULTS
Nine studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that inflammatory bowel disease patients with active disease had significantly higher values of platelet-lymphocyte ratio as compared to those in remission (MD: 63.46 95% CI: 35.74, 91.17, = 89%). The values of platelet-lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher in both active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients. Meta-analysis also showed that lymphocyte-monocyte ratio values were significantly lower in active inflammatory bowel disease patients as compared to those under remission (MD: -1.28 95% CI: -1.42, -1.14, = 4%). Lymphocyte-monocyte ratio values were significantly lower in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients with active disease.
CONCLUSION
Platelet-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio can be useful blood-based markers in differentiating active disease in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Active cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have high platelet-lymphocyte ratio and low lymphocyte-monocyte ratio as compared to those in remission. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to strengthen conclusions.
Topics: Humans; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Monocytes; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Lymphocytes
PubMed: 37489108
DOI: 10.1177/00369330231188962 -
Cancers Jun 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. The main treatment options are laparoscopic (LS) and open surgery (OS), which might differ in their... (Review)
Review
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. The main treatment options are laparoscopic (LS) and open surgery (OS), which might differ in their impact on the cellular immunity so indispensable for anti-infectious and antitumor defense. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science (SCI-EXPANDED), the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ICTRP (WHO) were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing cellular immunity in CRC patients of any stage between minimally invasive and open surgical resections. A random effects-weighted inverse variance meta-analysis was performed for cell counts of natural killer (NK) cells, white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The RoB2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The meta-analysis was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021264324). A total of 14 trials including 974 participants were assessed. The LS groups showed more favorable outcomes in eight trials, with lower inflammation and less immunosuppression as indicated by higher innate and adaptive cell counts, higher NK cell activity, and higher HLA-DR expression rates compared to OS, with only one study reporting lower WBCs after OS. The meta-analysis yielded significantly higher NK cell counts at postoperative day (POD)4 (weighted mean difference (WMD) 30.80 cells/µL [19.68; 41.92], 0.00001) and POD6-8 (WMD 45.08 cells/µL [35.95; 54.21], 0.00001). Although further research is required, LS is possibly associated with less suppression of cellular immunity and lower inflammation, indicating better preservation of cellular immunity.
PubMed: 37444491
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133381 -
International Immunopharmacology Sep 2023Many researches have reported the impairment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), whilst the change of Tregs in peripheral blood remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Many researches have reported the impairment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), whilst the change of Tregs in peripheral blood remains controversial. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the numerical change of circulating Tregs in AIH patients compared with healthy individuals.
METHODS
Relevant studies were identified from Medline, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. Twenty-nine studies involving 968 AIH patients and 583 healthy controls were included. Subgroup analysis stratified by Treg definition or ethnicity was performed, and analysis of active-phase AIH was conducted.
RESULTS
The proportions of Tregs among CD4 T cells and PBMCs were generally decreased in AIH patients compared with healthy controls. Subgroup analysis showed that circulating Tregs identified by CD4CD25, CD4CD25Foxp3, CD4CD25CD127, and Tregs in Asian population were decreased among CD4 T cells in AIH patients. No significant change of CD4CD25Foxp3CD127 Tregs and Tregs in Caucasian population among CD4 T cells were found in AIH patients, whereas the number of studies was limited in these subgroups. Moreover, analysis of the active-phase AIH patients showed that Treg proportions were decreased generally, whereas no significant differences in Tregs/CD4 T cells were observed when markers CD4CD25Foxp3, CD4CD25Foxp3CD127 were used or in Caucasian population.
CONCLUSIONS
The proportions of Tregs among CD4 T cells and PBMCs were decreased in AIH patients compared with healthy controls generally, whereas Treg definition markers, ethnicity, and disease activity had influence on the results. Further large-scale and rigorous study is warranted.
Topics: Humans; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; Ethnicity; Forkhead Transcription Factors
PubMed: 37390643
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110576 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated neuropathy. This has raised the possibility that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be a biomarker of its...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated neuropathy. This has raised the possibility that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be a biomarker of its activity. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence of NLR as a potential biomarker for GBS.
METHODS
We systematically searched databases (PubMed, Ovid-Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO Citation Index, LILACS, and Google Scholar) until October 2021 for studies evaluating pre-treatment NLR values in GBS patients. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model to estimate pooled effects was realized for each outcome and a narrative synthesis when this was not possible. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were realized. GRADE criteria were used to identify the certainty of evidence for each result.
RESULTS
Ten studies from 745 originally included were selected. Regarding GBS patients versus healthy controls, a meta-analysis of six studies (968 patients) demonstrated a significant increase in NLR values in GBS patients (MD: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.24; I2 = 86%) with moderate certainty due to heterogeneity of GBS diagnosis criteria used. Regarding GBS prognosis, assessed by Hughes Score ≥ 3, NLR had a sensitivity between 67.3 and 81.5 and a specificity between 67.3 and 87.5 with low certainty due to imprecision, and heterogeneity. In relation to respiratory failure, NLR had a sensitivity of 86.5 and specificity of 68.2 with high and moderate certainty, respectively.
DISCUSSION
With moderate certainty, mean NLR is higher in GBS patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found that NLR could be a prognostic factor for disability and respiratory failure with low and moderate certainty, respectively. These results may prove useful for NLR in GBS patients; however, further research is needed.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42021285212.
PubMed: 37333004
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1153690 -
Cancer Sep 2023The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Prevention Recommendations are lifestyle-based guidelines that aim to reduce cancer risk. A... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Prevention Recommendations and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Prevention Recommendations are lifestyle-based guidelines that aim to reduce cancer risk. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating associations between a score for adherence to the 2018 Cancer Prevention Recommendations and cancer risk was conducted.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies published to November 28, 2022. In meta-analysis, the estimated risk ratios and 95% CIs for adherence score as a continuous (per 1-point increment) and categorical (highest vs. lowest score category) variable using random-effects models were estimated.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies (11 cohort; seven case-control) were included investigating incidence of breast (n = 7), colorectal (n = 5), prostate (n = 2), lung (n = 2), pancreatic (n = 1), endometrial (n = 1), unknown primary cancer (n = 1), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 1), and overall (any) cancer (n = 1). The summary risk ratio per 1-point increment in adherence score was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.85-0.93; I = 76.5%; n = 7) for breast cancer, 0.88 (95% CI, 0.84-0.91; I = 26.2%; n = 4) for colorectal cancer, and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.86-0.98, I = 66.0%; n = 2) for lung cancer. There were no significant associations with prostate or other cancers. Meta-analysis results using categorical adherence score variables were consistent with these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Greater adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Prevention Recommendations was associated with lower risk of breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Future studies investigating associations with risk of other forms of cancer are warranted.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022313327.
Topics: Male; Humans; United States; Risk; Life Style; Breast Neoplasms; Incidence; Colorectal Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Diet
PubMed: 37309215
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34842 -
Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England) Aug 2023The immune system plays an important role in mediating exercise responses and adaptations. However, whether fluctuating hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The immune system plays an important role in mediating exercise responses and adaptations. However, whether fluctuating hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle may impact these processes remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to compare baseline concentrations as well as exercise-induced changes in immune and inflammatory parameters between menstrual cycle phases. A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines using Pubmed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. Of the 159 studies included in the qualitative synthesis, 110 studies were used for meta-analysis. Due to the designs of the included studies, only the follicular and luteal phase could be compared. The estimated standardized mean differences based on the random-effects model revealed higher numbers of leukocytes (-0.48 [-0.73; -0.23], p < 0.001), monocytes (-0.73 [-1.37; -0.10], p = 0.023), granulocytes (-0.85 [-0.1.48; -0.21], p = 0.009), neutrophils (-0.32 [-0.52; -0.12], p = 0.001), and leptin concentrations (-0.37 [-0.5; -0.23], p = 0.003) in the luteal compared to the follicular phase at rest. Other parameters (adaptive immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules) showed no systematic baseline differences. Seventeen studies investigated the exercise-induced response of these parameters, providing some indications for a higher pro-inflammatory response in the luteal phase. In conclusion, parameters of innate immunity showed cycle-dependent regulation at rest, while little is known on the exercise responses. Due to a large heterogeneity and a lack of cycle phase standardization among the included studies, future research should focus on comparing at least three distinct hormonal profiles to derive more specific recommendations for exercise prescription.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Follicular Phase; Exercise; Inflammation; Immunity
PubMed: 37309068
DOI: 10.1111/apha.14013 -
Journal of Reproductive Immunology Aug 2023Dysregulated natural killer (NK) cells have been associated with recurrent miscarriages (RM). Studies have suggested that high peripheral blood NK cell cytotoxicities... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Dysregulated natural killer (NK) cells have been associated with recurrent miscarriages (RM). Studies have suggested that high peripheral blood NK cell cytotoxicities (pNKCs) are associated with an increased risk of RM. The aim of this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MAs) is to investigate the difference in pNKC between nonpregnant and pregnant women with RM and controls and determine whether pNKC is reduced by immunotherapy. We searched the PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The MAs were conducted to compare pNKCs between women with and without RM before and during pregnancy as well as pre- and post-immunotherapy. Risk of bias in nonrandomized studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using the Review Manager software. A total of 19 studies were included in the SR and 14 studies in the MAs. The MAs revealed higher pNKCs among nonpregnant women with RM compared to controls (MD, 7.99 95 %CI 6.40-9.58; p < 0.00001). pNKCs were also higher in pregnant women with RM than in pregnant controls (MD, 8.21 95 %CI 6.08-10.34; p < 0.00001). Women with RM showed significantly decreased pNKCs after the immunotherapy compared to before (MD, -8.20 95 %CI -10.20 - -6.19; p < 0, 00001). Additionally, there is an association between high pNKCs and the risk of pregnancy loss in women with RM. However, included studies showed substantial heterogeneities regarding the inclusion criteria of patients, techniques measuring pNKC, and types of immunotherapies. More studies are needed to evaluate the clinical efficiency of pNKCs in managing RM.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Abortion, Habitual; Killer Cells, Natural; Immunotherapy
PubMed: 37236061
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103956