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International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Gap injuries to the peripheral nervous system result in pain and loss of function, without any particularly effective therapeutic options. Within this context,... (Review)
Review
Gap injuries to the peripheral nervous system result in pain and loss of function, without any particularly effective therapeutic options. Within this context, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have emerged as a potential therapeutic option. Thus, the focus of this study was to review currently available data on MSC-derived exosome-mounted scaffolds in peripheral nerve regeneration in order to identify the most promising scaffolds and exosome sources currently in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration. We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Exosome origins varied (adipose-derived MSCs, bone marrow MSCs, gingival MSC, induced pluripotent stem cells and a purified exosome product) similarly to the materials (Matrigel, alginate and silicone, acellular nerve graft [ANG], chitosan, chitin, hydrogel and fibrin glue). The compound muscle action potential (CMAP), sciatic functional index (SFI), gastrocnemius wet weight and histological analyses were used as main outcome measures. Overall, exosome-mounted scaffolds showed better regeneration than scaffolds alone. Functionally, both exosome-enriched chitin and ANG showed a significant improvement over time in the sciatica functional index, CMAP and wet weight. The best histological outcomes were found in the exosome-enriched ANG scaffold with a high increase in the axonal diameter and muscle cross-section area. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of exosome-mounted scaffolds in peripheral nerve regeneration.
Topics: Exosomes; Nerve Regeneration; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Humans; Animals; Tissue Scaffolds; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 38928194
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126489 -
Journal of Sports Science & Medicine Jun 2024Breast cancer survivors with obesity are at a high risk of cancer recurrence, comorbidity, and mortality. This review aims to systematically evaluate the effects of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Improves Body Composition, Alters Cardiometabolic Risk, and Ameliorates Cancer-Related Indicators in Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors with Overweight/Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Breast cancer survivors with obesity are at a high risk of cancer recurrence, comorbidity, and mortality. This review aims to systematically evaluate the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on body composition, lipid homeostasis, inflammation, adipokines, cancer-related fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in breast cancer patients and survivors with overweight/obesity. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases from inception up to January 8, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess eligible studies, and the GRADE method to evaluate the quality of evidence. A random-effects model was used, and data were analyzed using mean (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed the data for risk of bias, heterogeneity, sensitivity, reporting bias, and quality of evidence. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review involving 1,148 female patients and survivors (mean age: 54.0 ± 3.4 years). The primary outcomes showed significant improvements in body mass index (SMD -0.57 kg/m, = 0.04), body fat (SMD -0.50%, = 0.02), fat mass (SMD -0.63 kg, = 0.04), hip circumference (MD -3.14 cm, = 0.02), and fat-free mass (SMD 1.03 kg, < 0.001). The secondary outcomes indicated significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD -0.05 mmol/L, = 0.008), natural killer cells (SMD 0.42%, = 0.04), reductions in triglycerides (MD -81.90 mg/dL, < 0.01), total cholesterol (SMD -0.95 mmol/L, < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor α (SMD -0.89 pg/mL, = 0.03), and leptin (SMD -0.63 ng/mL, = 0.03). Also, beneficial alterations were found in cancer-related fatigue (SMD -0.98, = 0.03), sleep (SMD -1.17, < 0.001), and quality of life (SMD 2.94, = 0.02) scores. There was very low to low confidence in the estimated effect of most of the outcomes. The present findings reveal that CART could be considered an adjunct therapy in supporting the conventional clinical approach observed following exercise. However, further high-quality research is needed to evaluate whether CART would be a valuable intervention to lower aggressive pharmacologic use in breast cancer patients with overweight/obesity.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Resistance Training; Cancer Survivors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Body Composition; Obesity; Quality of Life; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Adipokines; Exercise; Fatigue; Sleep; Overweight
PubMed: 38841642
DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2024.366 -
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT Jun 2024Steroids stand for a class of hormones (natural and synthetic) known to be helpful for a number of disorders. Despite the aforementioned beneficial effects of using... (Review)
Review
Steroids stand for a class of hormones (natural and synthetic) known to be helpful for a number of disorders. Despite the aforementioned beneficial effects of using these hormones, anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are also widely abused in a non-therapeutic manner for muscle-building and strength-increasing properties that may lead to genotoxicity in different tissues. The present study aims to understand whether genotoxicity may be a suitable biomarker for AAS exposure in vivo in both experimental animal and human studies. All studies published in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases that presented data on DNA damage caused by AAS were analyzed. A total of 15 articles were included in this study, and after thoroughly reviewing the studies, a total of 8 articles were classified as Strong, 6 were classified as Moderate, and only 1 was classified as Weak, totaling 14 studies being considered either Strong or Moderate. This classification makes it possible to consider the present findings as reliable. The meta-analysis data revealed a statistically significant difference in Wistar rat testis cells with AAS compared to control for tail length and % tail DNA (p < 0.001), so that the selected articles were considered homogeneous and the I of 0% indicated low heterogeneity. In summary, genotoxicity can be considered a suitable biomarker for monitoring AAS exposure as a result of DNA breakage and oxidative DNA damage.
PubMed: 38840431
DOI: 10.1002/jat.4656 -
South African Journal of Surgery.... May 2024Hepatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (HIMTs) are rare and poorly described in the literature. Most publications are single patient case reports and lack detailed...
BACKGROUND
Hepatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (HIMTs) are rare and poorly described in the literature. Most publications are single patient case reports and lack detailed reporting on characteristics, management, and outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess the demography, clinical presentation, typical imaging features, histopathology, treatment, and outcomes of patients presenting with HIMTs.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (Scopus), JSTOR, Cochrane CENTRAL (Cochrane Library), and the databases included in the Web of Science for studies published between 1940 and 2023 on HIMTs, including its reported synonyms. Case series or cohort studies that reported on the management and outcomes of at least four patients with histologically confirmed HIMTs were included in the analysis.
RESULTS
After screening 4553 publications, 22 articles including a total of 440 patients with confirmed HIMTs were eligible for inclusion. The average age was 53.4 years (range 42.0-65.0) with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Abdominal pain, discomfort, fever, and loss of weight were the most common presenting symptoms. Surgical resection is the standard of care for HIMTs and is associated with low mortality of 3.4% and low disease recurrence.
CONCLUSION
HIMT is a disease more often affecting middle-aged males. The lesions are typically solitary with low recurrence after treatment. The relative roles of surgical versus medical treatment remain unclear. Differences in clinical presentation, histopathology, and treatment of HIMTs compared to inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) at extrahepatic sites could challenge the current view of IMT as a single pathological entity.
Topics: Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Granuloma, Plasma Cell; Male; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue; Female; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38838115
DOI: No ID Found -
Immunological Medicine May 2024In recent years, rapid advances in research methods have made single cell analysis possible. Systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disease characterized by the triad of immune... (Review)
Review
In recent years, rapid advances in research methods have made single cell analysis possible. Systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disease characterized by the triad of immune abnormalities, fibrosis, and vasculopathy, has also been the subject of various analyses. To summarize the results of single cell analysis in SSc accumulated to date and to deepen our understanding of SSc. Four databases were used to perform a database search on 23rd June 2023. Assessed Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation certainty of evidence were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The analysis was completed on July 2023. 17 studies with 358 SSc patients were included. Three studies used PBMCs, six used skin, nine used lung with SSc-interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), and one used lung with SSc-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The cells studied included immune cells such as T cells, natural killer cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, as well as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, alveolar type I cells, basal epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, mesothelial cells, etc. This systematic review revealed the results of single cell analysis, suggesting that PBMCs, skin, SSc-ILD, and SSc-PAH show activation and dysfunction of cells associated with immune-abnormalities, fibrosis, and vasculopathy, respectively.
PubMed: 38818750
DOI: 10.1080/25785826.2024.2360690 -
Journal of Translational Medicine May 2024The appropriate use of predictive equations in estimating body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) depends on the device used and the subject's... (Review)
Review
The appropriate use of predictive equations in estimating body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) depends on the device used and the subject's age, geographical ancestry, healthy status, physical activity level and sex. However, the presence of many isolated predictive equations in the literature makes the correct choice challenging, since the user may not distinguish its appropriateness. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to classify each predictive equation in accordance with the independent parameters used. Sixty-four studies published between 1988 and 2023 were identified through a systematic search of international electronic databases. We included studies providing predictive equations derived from criterion methods, such as multi-compartment models for fat, fat-free and lean soft mass, dilution techniques for total-body water and extracellular water, total-body potassium for body cell mass, and magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography for skeletal muscle mass. The studies were excluded if non-criterion methods were employed or if the developed predictive equations involved mixed populations without specific codes or variables in the regression model. A total of 106 predictive equations were retrieved; 86 predictive equations were based on foot-to-hand and 20 on segmental technology, with no equations used the hand-to-hand and leg-to-leg. Classifying the subject's characteristics, 19 were for underaged, 26 for adults, 19 for athletes, 26 for elderly and 16 for individuals with diseases, encompassing both sexes. Practitioners now have an updated list of predictive equations for assessing body composition using BIA. Researchers are encouraged to generate novel predictive equations for scenarios not covered by the current literature.Registration code in PROSPERO: CRD42023467894.
Topics: Electric Impedance; Humans; Body Composition; Male; Female; Reference Standards; Adult; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38812005
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05272-x -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... May 2024To systematically review the existing scientific literature in providing a comprehensive, quantitative analysis on the prognostic ability of Cancer Associated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
To systematically review the existing scientific literature in providing a comprehensive, quantitative analysis on the prognostic ability of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) a novel meta-analysis.
METHODS
Review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in PROSPERO - CRD CRD42023467899. Electronic databases were searched for studies having data on effect of CAFs on overall survival rate and disease prognosis in patients with OSCC, oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) compared to normal healthy controls. Quality assessment of included was evaluated through Newcastle Ottawa scale (NOS) for included studies through its domains. The hazard ratio (HR) and risk ratio (RR) was used as summary statistic measure with random effect model and p value <0.05 as statistically significant.
RESULTS
Twenty studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis and eighteen studies for meta -analysis. Included studies had moderate to low risk of bias. It was observed through the pooled estimate that overall survival rate - (HR) =2.30 (1.71 - 3.10) was lesser in group with high CAFs compared to low CAFs while pooled estimate through RR =1.53 (0.73 - 3.19) and RR = 5.72 (2.40 - 13.59) signified that overall survival rate was lower n OSCC patients with high CAF compared to patients with OED and healthy controls. Publication bias through the funnel plot showed asymmetric distribution with presence of systematic heterogeneity indicating presence of publication bias.
CONCLUSION
Abundance of CAFs in tumor stroma of OSCC patients is associated with overall poor survival rate and poor disease prognosis. CAFs acts as a good prognostic and therapeutic marker in disease progression and advancements and should be assessed early to reduce patient's mortality and morbidity.
Topics: Humans; Mouth Neoplasms; Prognosis; Myofibroblasts; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Survival Rate; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 38809619
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.5.1477 -
International Journal of Cardiology Aug 2024Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited heart disease that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Impact of genetic testing for the prognosis and treatment of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited heart disease that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Impact of genetic testing for the prognosis and treatment of patients with HCM needs to be improved. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the characteristics and outcomes associated with sarcomere genotypes in index patients with HCM.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to Dec 31, 2023. Data on clinical characteristics, morphological and imaging features, outcomes and interventions were collected from published studies and pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 30 studies with 10,825 HCM index patients were included in the pooled analyses. The frequency of sarcomere genes in HCM patients was 41%. Sarcomere mutations were more frequent in women (p < 0.00001), and were associated with lower body mass index (26.1 ± 4.7 versus 27.5 ± 4.3; p = 0.003) and left ventricular ejection fraction (65.7% ± 10.1% vs. 67.1% ± 8.6%; p = 0.03), less apical hypertrophy (6.5% vs. 20.1%; p < 0.0001) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (29.1% vs. 33.2%; p = 0.03), greater left atrial volume index (43.6 ± 21.1 ml/m vs. 37.3 ± 13.0 ml/m; p = 0.02). Higher risks of ventricular tachycardia (23.4% vs. 14.1%; p < 0.0001), syncope (18.3% vs. 10.9%; p = 0.01) and heart failure (17.3% vs. 14.6%; p = 0.002) were also associated with sarcomere mutations.
CONCLUSIONS
Sarcomere mutations are more frequent in women, and are associated with worse clinical characteristics and poor outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Sarcomeres; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Mutation
PubMed: 38801835
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132213 -
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Jul 2024Cancer cachexia is a complex problem characterized by weight loss due to skeletal muscle and adipose tissue reduction. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Cancer cachexia is a complex problem characterized by weight loss due to skeletal muscle and adipose tissue reduction. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine the association between cancer cachexia and adverse outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from their inception to January 15, 2024. Retrospective or prospective studies that investigated the cancer cachexia as a predictor of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), or disease control rate (DCR) in NSCLC patients were included in this analysis.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies, comprising 5919 NSCLC patients, were identified. The pooled prevalence of cachexia in NSCLC patients was 39%, with individual studies reporting rates ranging from 19% to 63.8%. A meta-analysis using a random effects model showed that cachexia was associated with reduced OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.54-2.21) and PFS (HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.27-1.73). Subgroup analysis indicated that cancer cachexia significantly predicted OS, regardless of study design, NSCLC subtypes, cancer stage, definitions of cachexia, or follow-up duration. However, there was no clear association between cancer cachexia and ORR or DCR.
CONCLUSIONS
Cancer cachexia emerges is a negative prognostic factor for OS and PFS in NSCLC patients. Assessing cancer cachexia can improve risk classification for survival outcomes in this patient population.
Topics: Cachexia; Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Prognosis; Male; Female; Aged; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38788267
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.05.025 -
PloS One 2024This study aimed to evaluate the intervention effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis in rodent models through systematic review and meta-analysis, in order to provide... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the intervention effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis in rodent models through systematic review and meta-analysis, in order to provide meaningful guidance for clinical practice.
METHODS
A systematic retrieval of relevant studies on curcumin intervention in rats or mice hepatic fibrosis models was conducted, and the data were extracted. The outcome indicators included liver cell structure and function related indicators, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G), total bilirubin (TBIL), bax protein, bcl-2 protein and index of liver, as well as the relevant indicators for evaluating the degree of hepatic fibrosis, such as hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type I collagen (Collagen I), type III collagen (Collagen III), type III procollagen (PCIII), type III procollagen amino terminal peptide (PIIINP), type IV collagen (IV-C), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), hydroxyproline (HYP), platelet derived factor-BB (PDGF-BB), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and oxidative stress-related indicators, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). These results were then analyzed by meta-analysis. Studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the syrcle's bias risk tool.
RESULTS
A total of 59 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the results showed that curcumin can reduce the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, bax protein, and index of liver in hepatic fibrosis models. It can also reduce HA, LN, Collagen I, Collagen III, PCIII, PIIINP, IV-C, TNF-α, α-SMA, HYP, PDGF-BB, CTGF, TGF-β1 and MDA, and increase the levels of ALB, A/G, SOD, and GSH-Px in the hepatic fibrosis models. However, the effects of curcumin on bcl-2 protein, IL-6 in hepatic fibrosis models and index of liver in mice were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
The analysis results indicate that curcumin can reduce liver cell apoptosis by maintaining the stability of liver cell membrane, inhibit the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by reducing inflammatory response, and alleviate tissue peroxidation damage by clearing oxygen free radicals.
Topics: Animals; Liver Cirrhosis; Curcumin; Mice; Rats; Disease Models, Animal; Oxidative Stress; Liver
PubMed: 38781262
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304176