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Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery Jan 2024Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of death and disability. AIS is caused by an embolus or thrombus that restricts blood flow to the brain tissue. Despite... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of death and disability. AIS is caused by an embolus or thrombus that restricts blood flow to the brain tissue. Despite intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, a substantial number of patients do not achieve effective reperfusion. Argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, can potentially improve neurological outcomes in AIS patients. However, there are conflicting results in the medical literature regarding the efficacy and safety of argatroban in this context.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of argatroban as monotherapy or adjunct therapy for acute ischemic stroke.
METHODS
Five major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and safety of using argatroban alone or in combination with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-TPA) in the management protocol of the AIS. We used Review Manager Software (RevMan 5.4.1) for data analysis.
RESULTS
We included 1393 patients from eight RCTs (of them, 726 were treated with argatroban alone or combined with r-TPA, while 667 received the placebo, standard therapy (standard treatments based on current guidelines including antihypertensive, antiplatelet agents, and statins) or endovascular r-TPA). Neither argatroban vs control nor argatroban with r-TPA vs r-TPA showed significant difference regarding the activity in daily living; (SMD= 1.69, 95% CI [-0.23, 3.61]; p = 0.09), (SMD= 0.99, 95% CI [-0.88, 2.86]; p = 0.30), respectively. Also, there was no significant difference in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at seven days, the number of patients achieving modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0-1 or 0-2 at 90 days (p > 0.05). Argatroban did not significantly increase the risk of adverse events or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), or major systemic bleeding compared to control or r-TPA (p > 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Argatroban does not demonstrate superior efficacy compared to placebo or standard therapy in terms of ADL, NIHSS and mRS outcomes. Importantly, argatroban does not significantly increase the incidence of adverse events, including symptomatic ICH and systemic bleeding.
Topics: Humans; Arginine; Brain Ischemia; Fibrinolytic Agents; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Ischemic Stroke; Pipecolic Acids; Stroke; Sulfonamides; Thrombolytic Therapy; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38176219
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.108097 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jan 2024There is no systematic review on the prevalence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in Iran. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIVDR among people living with HIV (PLHIV)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There is no systematic review on the prevalence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in Iran. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIVDR among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Iran. We assessed HIVDR prevalence in antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve PLHIV (i.e., those without a history of ART) and PLHIV receiving ART.
METHOD
We systematically searched Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Iranian databases (Iranian Medical Research Information System, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database), the references of studies, and Google Scholar until March 2023. A random-effects model was used to calculate a point estimate and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the prevalence of HIVDR in PLHIV.
RESULTS
Among 461 potential publications, 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of acquired HIVDR in PLHIV receiving ART was 34% (95% CI: 19, 50) for nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), 27% (95% CI: 15, 41) for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and 9% (95% CI: 3, 18) for protease inhibitors (PIs). The pooled prevalence of acquired HIVDR in treatment failure PLHIV was 50% (95% CI: 31, 69) for NRTIs, 49% (95% CI: 29, 69) for NNRTIs, 11% (95% CI: 2, 24) for PIs, and 1% (95% CI: 0, 4) for integrase inhibitors (INIs). The pooled prevalence of transmitted HIVDR in ART-naïve people was 3% (95% CI; 1, 6) for NRTIs, 5% (95% CI: 2, 9) for NNRTIs, and 0 for PIs and INIs.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of HIVDR was relatively high in both ART-naïve PLHIV and those receiving ART. Without universal pretreatment HIVDR testing and more frequent routine HIV viral load testing among PLHIV who are on ART, the HIVDR prevalence might increase in PLHIV in Iran.
Topics: Humans; Iran; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; Prevalence; HIV-1; Drug Resistance, Viral; HIV Infections; Anti-HIV Agents; Mutation
PubMed: 38166733
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08916-3 -
PloS One 2024Due to the inconsistent findings from various studies, the role of gene polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin system in influencing the development of cardiomyopathy... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Due to the inconsistent findings from various studies, the role of gene polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin system in influencing the development of cardiomyopathy remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the findings regarding the impact of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T, and angiotensin II Type 1 receptor (AGTR1) A1166C gene polymorphisms in patients with cardiomyopathy. We performed a comprehensive search of several electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, covering articles published from the time of database creation to April 17, 2023. Studies on the assessment of genetic polymorphisms in genes related to the renin-angiotensin system in relation to cardiomyopathy were included. The primary outcome was cardiomyopathy. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scale. The meta-analysis includes 19 studies with 4,052 cases and 5,592 controls. The ACE I/D polymorphisms were found to be associated with cardiomyopathy (allelic model D vs I: OR = 1.29, 95CI% = 1.08-1.52; dominant model DD+ID vs II: OR = 1.43, 95CI% = 1.01-2.02; recessive model DD vs ID+II: OR = 0.79, 95CI% = 0.64-0.98). AGT M235T polymorphism and cardiomyopathy were not significantly correlated (allelic model T vs M: OR = 1.26, 95CI% = 0.96-1.66; dominant model TT+MT vs MM: OR = 1.30, 95CI% = 0.98-1.73; recessive model TT vs MT+MM: OR = 0.63, 95CI% = 0.37-1.07). AGTR1 polymorphism and cardiomyopathy were not significantly associated under allelic model A vs C (OR = 0.69, 95CI% = 0.46-1.03) and recessive model AA vs CA+CC (OR = 0.89, 95CI% = 0.34-2.30), but under the dominant model AA+CA vs CC (OR = 0.51, 95CI% = 0.38-0.68). The current meta-analysis reveals that polymorphisms in ACE I/D may be a genetic risk factor for cardiomyopathy. There is an association between AGTR1 gene polymorphisms and risk of cardiomyopathy under the specific model.
Topics: Humans; Renin-Angiotensin System; Risk Factors; Polymorphism, Genetic; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Angiotensinogen; Cardiomyopathies; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
PubMed: 38166133
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295626 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2024This study presents a systematic review of the scientific and technological production related to the use of systems based on UV, HO, and Cl for the elimination of... (Review)
Review
Systematic analysis of the scientific-technological production on the use of the UV, HO, and/or Cl systems in the elimination of bacteria and associated antibiotic resistance genes.
This study presents a systematic review of the scientific and technological production related to the use of systems based on UV, HO, and Cl for the elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes associated with antibiotic resistance (ARGs). Using the Pro Know-C (Knowledge Development Process-Constructivist) methodology, a portfolio was created and analyzed that includes 19 articles and 18 patents published between 2011 and 2022. The results show a greater scientific-technological production in UV irradiation systems (8 articles and 5 patents) and the binary combination UV/HO (9 articles and 4 patents). It was emphasized that UV irradiation alone focuses mainly on the removal of ARB, while the addition of HO or Cl, either individually or in binary combinations with UV, enhances the removal of ARB and ARG. The need for further research on the UV/HO/Cl system is emphasized, as gaps in the scientific-technological production of this system (0 articles and 2 patents), especially in its electrochemically assisted implementation, have been identified. Despite the gaps identified, there are promising prospects for the use of combined electrochemically assisted UV/HO/Cl disinfection systems. This is demonstrated by the effective removal of a wide range of contaminants, including ARB, fungi, and viruses, as well as microorganisms resistant to conventional disinfectants, while reducing the formation of toxic by-products.
Topics: Hydrogen Peroxide; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Water Purification; Chlorine; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Bacteria; Disinfection; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 38165540
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31435-2 -
Environmental Research Apr 2024The Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) have effectively kept lower antibiotic-resistant bacterial (ARB) pathogen rates than many other... (Review)
Review
The Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) have effectively kept lower antibiotic-resistant bacterial (ARB) pathogen rates than many other countries. However, in recent years, these five countries have encountered a rise in ARB cases and challenges in treating infections due to the growing prevalence of ARB pathogens. Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) is a valuable supplement to clinical methods for ARB surveillance, but there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of WBS application for ARB in the Nordic countries. This review aims to compile the latest state-of-the-art developments in WBS for ARB monitoring in the Nordic countries and compare them with clinical surveillance practices. After reviewing 1480 papers from the primary search, 54 were found relevant, and 15 additional WBS-related papers were included. Among 69 studies analyzed, 42 dedicated clinical epidemiology, while 27 focused on wastewater monitoring. The PRISMA review of the literature revealed that Nordic countries focus on four major WBS objectives of ARB: assessing ARB in the human population, identifying ARB evading wastewater treatment, quantifying removal rates, and evaluating potential ARB evolution during the treatment process. In both clinical and wastewater contexts, the most studied targets were pathogens producing carbapenemase and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), primarily Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. However, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have received more attention in clinical epidemiology than in wastewater studies, probably due to their lower detection rates in wastewater. Clinical surveillance has mostly used culturing, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and genotyping, but WBS employed PCR-based and metagenomics alongside culture-based techniques. Imported cases resulting from international travel and hospitalization abroad appear to have frequently contributed to the rise in ARB pathogen cases in these countries. The many similarities between the Nordic countries (e.g., knowledge exchange practices, antibiotic usage patterns, and the current ARB landscape) could facilitate collaborative efforts in developing and implementing WBS for ARB in population-level screening.
Topics: Humans; Wastewater; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; beta-Lactamases; Escherichia coli; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
PubMed: 38163547
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118052 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2023We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of nafamostat on the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy of nafamostat mesylate in the prevention of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of nafamostat on the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). PubMed, Web of Science, and Ichushi Web were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using nafamostat to prevent PEP. In subgroup analyses, we studied the preventive effects of nafamostat according to the severity of PEP, risk category, and dose. A random-effects model was adopted; heterogeneity between studies was examined using the chi-squared test and I statistics. This analysis uses the PRISMA statement as general guidance. 9 RCTs involving 3321 patients were included. The risk of PEP was lower in the nafamostat group than in the control group [4.4% vs. 8.3%, risk ratio (RR): 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36-0.68]. In subgroup analyses, the protective effects were evident in low-risk patients for PEP before ERCP (RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21-0.55). The association between PEP and nafamostat was significant only in patients who developed mild PEP (RR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.36-0.69). The benefits were independent of the dose. The prophylactic use of nafamostat resulted in a lower risk of PEP. The subgroup analyses suggested uncertain benefits for severe PEP or high-risk patients for PEP. This warrants further investigation through additional RCTs.
Topics: Humans; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Pancreatitis; Guanidines
PubMed: 38155200
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50181-6 -
Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis Mar 2024Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) including rivaroxaban and apixaban are preferred over vitamin K antagonists for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE).... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) including rivaroxaban and apixaban are preferred over vitamin K antagonists for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus apixaban in the treatment of VTE.
METHODS
We conducted an electronic search for studies that directly compared treatment with rivaroxaban and apixaban in adult patients with VTE. The relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated and pooled using a fixed-effect model unless significant heterogeneity was present (I > 40%), then random-effects model was used. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were recurrent VTE (rVTE) and major bleeding events, respectively.
RESULTS
Nine observational studies were included in our meta-analysis, assessing 24,156 patients for apixaban and 38,847 for rivaroxaban. Pooling of data for our primary efficacy outcome showed a trend towards lower risk of rVTE with apixaban compared to rivaroxaban (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57-1.04, I = 53%). Analysis of our primary safety outcome showed a significantly lower risk of major bleeding with apixaban compared to rivaroxaban (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.61-0.76, I = 0%). Apixaban was associated with significantly decreased risk of net clinical harm, clinically relevant non major bleeding (CRNMB) and any bleeding, compared to rivaroxaban (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61-0.92, I = 50%; RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.50-0.67, I = 7%; RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.59-0.70, I = 0%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Apixaban is associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding compared to rivaroxaban for treatment of VTE. Given the limitations of the existing evidence, further interventional studies comparing the two drugs are needed.
Topics: Humans; Rivaroxaban; Venous Thromboembolism; Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Administration, Oral; Observational Studies as Topic; Pyrazoles; Pyridones
PubMed: 38127261
DOI: 10.1007/s11239-023-02926-3 -
Infection Feb 2024Preliminary evidence suggests a potential effect of antiviral medication used during the acute COVID-19 phase for preventing long-COVID. This review investigates if... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Preliminary evidence suggests a potential effect of antiviral medication used during the acute COVID-19 phase for preventing long-COVID. This review investigates if having received pharmacological treatment during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection may reduce the risk of long-COVID.
METHODS
MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science databases, as well as medRxiv/bioRxiv preprint servers were searched up to July 15th, 2023. Articles comparing the presence of long-COVID symptoms between individuals who received or not a specific medication, particularly antivirals, during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or Cochrane's Risk of Bias (Rob) tool.
RESULTS
From 517 studies identified, 6 peer-reviewed studies and one preprint met all inclusion criteria. The sample included 2683 (n = 4) hospitalized COVID-19 survivors and 307,409 (n = 3) non-hospitalized patients. The methodological quality was high in 71% of studies (n = 5/7). Two studies investigating the effects of Nirmaltrevir/Ritonavir and three studies the effect of Remdesivir reported conflicting results on effectiveness for preventing long-COVID. Three studies investigating the effects of other medication such as Dexamethasone (n = 2) or Metformin (n = 1) found positive results of these medications for preventing long-COVID.
CONCLUSION
Available evidence about the effect of medication treatment with antivirals during acute COVID-19 and reduced risk of developing long-COVID is conflicting. Heterogeneous evidence suggests that Remdesivir or Nirmaltrevir/Ritonavir could have a potential protective effect for long-COVID. A limited number of studies demonstrated a potential benefit of other medications such as Dexamethasone or Metformin, but more studies are needed.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Ritonavir; SARS-CoV-2; Antiviral Agents; Dexamethasone; Metformin
PubMed: 38113020
DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02154-0 -
Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Dec 2024Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the common complication seen after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and a pleomorphic syndrome that... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the common complication seen after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and a pleomorphic syndrome that resembles autoimmune and other immunologic disorders, leading to profound immune dysregulation and organ dysfunction. The most common targets of GVHD are skin, gastrointestinal tract and liver. GVHD is classified as acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) if it occurs within the first 100 days after HSCT and chronic graft versus host disease(cGVHD) if it occurs after day 100. The skin is most frequently and earliest affected by aGvHD, followed by the gastrointestinal tract and liver. An ideal biomarker would predict the onset and severity of clinical acute GVHD and help to direct management, and this is an area of active research regarding the use of biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of acute GVHD. Recently, elafin has been identified as a potential plasma biomarker for aGVHD.
METHOD
We searched the databases PubMed, Cochrane library, and medRxiv for all studies investigating the Diagnostic or prognostic role of elafin in GVHD. We set the search strategy incorporating the search terms, 'elafin', 'graft versus host', and 'GVHD', and operated using the Boolean operators 'AND', and 'OR'. Thus, retrieved articles were then exported on an Excel® sheet, and duplicates were removed. The systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After selecting the study based on inclusion criteria, data on study characteristics and biomarker description was extracted on a pre-determined data extraction table on the Microsoft Excel version. The quality assessment of the included studies was determined using the QUIPS tool.
RESULT
The search revealed 547 studies and 6 studies that met the eligibility criteria of this review have been included. The major finding of our study is the significant elevation of elafin in skin aGVHD.
CONCLUSION
Elafin is a significant biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of skin aGVHD and should be assessed within 2 weeks of the onset of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Elafin; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Biomarkers; Graft vs Host Disease; Acute Disease
PubMed: 38112182
DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2023.2293497 -
Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research 2023To compare the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1 RA versus DPP4i and basal insulin in the management of T2DM. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To compare the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1 RA versus DPP4i and basal insulin in the management of T2DM.
METHODS
Data from 22 studies involving over 200,000 participants were pooled using the inverse variance method and random-effects meta-analysis. The review was reported in accordance with PRISMA.
RESULTS
Compared with DPP4i, treatment with GLP-1 RA was associated with a greater benefit on composite cardiovascular outcomes (HR:0.77, 95% CI:0.69-0.87), myocardial infarction (HR:0.82, 95% CI:0.69-0.97), stroke (HR:0.83, 95% CI: 0.74-0.93), cardiovascular mortality (HR:0.76, 95% CI:0.68-0.85) and all-cause mortality (HR:0.65, 95% CI:0.48-0.90). There was no difference in effect on heart failure (HR:0.97, 95% CI:0.82-1.15). Compared with basal insulin, GLP-1 RA was associated with better effects on composite cardiovascular outcomes (HR:0.62, 95% CI:0.48-0.79), heart failure (HR:0.57, 95% CI:0.35-0.92), myocardial infarction (HR:0.70, 95% CI:0.58-0.85), stroke (HR:0.50, 95% CI:0.40-0.63) and all-cause mortality (HR:0.31, 95% CI:0.20-0.48). Evidence from a small number of studies suggests that GLP-1 RA had better effects on composite and individual renal outcomes, such as eGFR, compared with either DPP4i and basal insulin.
CONCLUSION
Available evidence suggests that treating T2DM with GLP-1 RA can yield better benefits on composite and specific cardiorenal outcomes than with DPP4i and basal insulin.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022335504.
Topics: Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists; Heart Failure; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulins; Myocardial Infarction; Stroke
PubMed: 38111352
DOI: 10.1177/14791641231221740