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Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2023The study used scattered literature to summarize the effects of excess Cd, As, and Pb from contaminated soils on plant secondary metabolites/bioactive compounds...
The study used scattered literature to summarize the effects of excess Cd, As, and Pb from contaminated soils on plant secondary metabolites/bioactive compounds (non-nutrient organic substances). Hence, we provided a systematic overview involving the sources and forms of Cd, As, and Pb in soils, plant uptake, mechanisms governing the interaction of these risk elements during the formation of secondary metabolites, and subsequent effects. The biogeochemical characteristics of soils are directly responsible for the mobility and bioavailability of risk elements, which include pH, redox potential, dissolved organic carbon, clay content, Fe/Mn/Al oxides, and microbial transformations. The radial risk element flow in plant systems is restricted by the apoplastic barrier (e.g., Casparian strip) and chelation (phytochelatins and vacuole sequestration) in roots. However, bioaccumulation is primarily a function of risk element concentration and plant genotype. The translocation of risk elements to the shoot via the xylem and phloem is well-mediated by transporter proteins. Besides the dysfunction of growth, photosynthesis, and respiration, excess Cd, As, and Pb in plants trigger the production of secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties to counteract the toxic effects. Eventually, this affects the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites (including phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenes) and adversely influences their antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, and lipid-lowering properties. The mechanisms governing the translocation of Cd, As, and Pb are vital for regulating risk element accumulation in plants and subsequent effects on secondary metabolites.
Topics: Antioxidants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Cadmium; Lead; Metals, Heavy; Soil; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 36529801
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24776-x -
Biology Nov 2022Chilblains/perniosis is a non-freezing cold injury causing painful inflammatory skin lesions. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood because it is often studied as... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chilblains/perniosis is a non-freezing cold injury causing painful inflammatory skin lesions. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood because it is often studied as secondary to other underlying conditions.
METHODS
We systematically investigated the population characteristics, symptoms, and predisposing factors of chilblains in healthy adults exposed to cool/cold environments. We screened PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, and we adopted PRISMA reporting guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021245307). The risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers (RTI item bank). Random-effects model meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled prevalence of histopathological features. Mixed-effects meta-regressions were used to assess other sources of between-study heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies (477 patients) were included. Chilblains affect more women than men, up to 12% of the body skin surface, and most frequently, the hands and fingers. Meta-analyses of nine studies (303 patients) showed a frequent presence of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate (81%), basal epidermal-cell layer vacuolation (67%), papillary dermal edema (66%), and perieccrine lymphocytic infiltrate (57%). Meta-regressions ( ≤ 0.05) showed that smoking and frequent occupational exposure to water increase the likelihood of histopathological features.
CONCLUSIONS
The population characteristics, symptoms, and predisposing factors of chilblains revealed in this analysis should be incorporated in medical care to improve the condition's diagnosis and management.
PubMed: 36421364
DOI: 10.3390/biology11111651 -
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and... Oct 2022This systematic review purposed to investigate reports of oral lesions in confirmed COVID-19 patients summarizing clinical characteristics, histological findings,...
This systematic review purposed to investigate reports of oral lesions in confirmed COVID-19 patients summarizing clinical characteristics, histological findings, treatment and correlation of oral lesions and COVID-19 severity. Electronic search was conducted on November 2021 using seven databases to identify case reports/series describing lesions in oral mucosa in COVID-19 confirmed cases. A total of 5,179 studies were found, being 39 eligible from 19 countries, totalling 116 cases. It was observed only COVID-19 non-vaccinated cases and no sex or age predilection. The oral lesions presentation was mostly single location (69.8%), commonly in the tongue, lips, and palate, being ulcer the main clinical presentation. According to severity index for COVID-19, the reports were more frequent in patients with mild and moderate symptoms, being 75.8% in acute phase. The oral lesion appearance in post-acute COVID-19 were described after 14 to two months after patient recovery. Histologically, keratinocytes with perinuclear vacuolization, thrombosis and mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate were also described with the presence of the virus in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and minor salivary glands. In conclusion, health care professionals should consider COVID-19 association when patient present ulcerated oral lesions and mild to moderate symptoms for COVID-19 or had acute-COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Endothelial Cells; Humans; Mouth Mucosa
PubMed: 35550190
DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2022.05.005 -
Archives of Oral Biology Apr 2022This living systematic review aims to integrate the morphological and tissue-based molecular characterization of oral lesions occurring in individuals infected by... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This living systematic review aims to integrate the morphological and tissue-based molecular characterization of oral lesions occurring in individuals infected by COVID-19 (OLICs).
MATERIALS AND DESIGN
This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, and LILACS were searched to identify reports on OLICs with morphological and/or tissue-based molecular data.
RESULTS
Four studies reporting five cases were included. Three patients were male, and the mean age of the individuals was 47.6 years. The most reported anatomical location was the palate (n = 4), whereas ulcers were the most frequent clinical presentation (n = 3). Histopathologically, all cases revealed cell vacuolization and exocytosis in the epithelial layer. In the mesenchymal layer, inflammatory cell infiltrate and thrombi/microvascular thrombosis were observed in three cases. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed in two cases. Both cases were negative for HHV-1, HHV-2, and CMV. One case revealed positivity for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. No other molecular tests were found for the characterization of OLIC.
CONCLUSIONS
The pathological characteristics of OLICs are still unspecific. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and well-documented new cases, whether OLICs are due to coinfections or has a primary origin can be determined.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
PubMed: 35180550
DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105374 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... Jan 2022Does existing scientific literature suggest an impact of oocyte dysmorphisms on biological or clinical outcomes of assisted reproduction treatments?
PURPOSE
Does existing scientific literature suggest an impact of oocyte dysmorphisms on biological or clinical outcomes of assisted reproduction treatments?
METHODS
Studies of interest were selected from an initial cohort of 6651 potentially relevant records retrieved. PubMed was systematically searched for peer-reviewed original papers and reviews identified by keywords and medical subject heading (MeSH) terms. The most relevant publications were critically evaluated to identify criteria for oocyte morphological evaluation and IVF outcomes. For each morphological abnormality, we generated an oocyte literature score (OLS) through the following procedure: (a) papers showing a negative, absence of, or positive correlation between a given abnormality and IVF outcome were scored 1, 0, and - 1, respectively; (b) the sum of these scores was expressed as a fraction of all analyzed papers; (c) the obtained fraction was multiplied by 10 and converted into decimal number.
RESULT
We identified eleven different dysmorphisms, of which six were extracytoplasmic (COC, zona pellucida, perivitelline space, polar body 1, shape, giant size) and five intracytoplasmic (vacuoles, refractile bodies, SER clusters, granularity, color). Among the extracytoplasmic dysmorphisms, abnormal morphology of the COC generated an OLS of 8.33, indicating a large prevalence (5/6) of studies associated with a negative outcome. Three intracytoplasmic dysmorphisms (vacuoles, SER clusters, and granularity) produced OLS of 7.14, 7.78, and 6.25, respectively, suggestive of a majority of studies reporting a negative outcome.
CONCLUSION
COC morphology, vacuoles, SER clusters, and granularity produced OLS suggestive of a prevalence of studies reporting a negative outcome.
Topics: Humans; Oocytes; Oogenesis; Zona Pellucida
PubMed: 34993709
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02370-3 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Oct 2022Oocyte morphology assessment is easy to implement in any laboratory with possible quality grading prior to fertilization. At present, comprehensive oocyte morphology... (Review)
Review
Oocyte morphology assessment is easy to implement in any laboratory with possible quality grading prior to fertilization. At present, comprehensive oocyte morphology scoring is not performed as a routine procedure. However, it may augment chances for successful treatment outcomes if a correlation with certain dysmorphisms can be proven. In order to determine a correlation between oocyte morphology and treatment outcome, we performed a systematic search in PubMed and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 52 articles out of 6,755 search results met the inclusion criteria. Dark colour of the cytoplasm (observed with an incidence rate of 7%), homogeneous granularity of the cytoplasm (19%) and ovoid shape of oocytes (7%) appeared to have no influence on treatment outcome. Abnormalities such as refractile bodies (10%), fragmented first polar body (37%), dark zona pellucida (9%), enlarged perivitelline space (18%) and debris in it (21%) are likely to affect the treatment outcome to some extent. Finally, cytoplasmic vacuoles (4%), centrally located cytoplasmic granularity (12%) and clusters of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (4%) negatively impact infertility treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, morphological assessment is informative rather than predictive. Adding oocyte morphology to the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven selection process may improve the precision of the algorithms. Oocyte morphology assessment can be especially useful in oocyte donation cycles, during oocyte freezing for fertility preservation and finally, objective oocyte scoring can be important in cases of very poor treatment outcome as a tool for explanation of results to the patient.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Humans; Infertility; Oocyte Donation; Oocytes; Zona Pellucida
PubMed: 34816375
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00723-y -
Zootaxa Sep 2021The family Ophryoscolecidae (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida) constitutes a diverse and monophyletic group of symbiotic ciliates of herbivorous mammals. The family...
Systematic review of the genus Ostracodinium (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida, Ophryoscolecidae) and notes on the taxonomy of Ostracodinium rugoloricatum Kofoid amp; MacLennan, 1932.
The family Ophryoscolecidae (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida) constitutes a diverse and monophyletic group of symbiotic ciliates of herbivorous mammals. The family includes approximately 200 species, distributed in three subfamilies and sixteen genera. The subfamily Diplodiniinae is the most diverse group in Ophryoscolecidae and comprises the genus Ostracodinium, which includes species with two retractable ciliary zones in the anterior body portion, a broad skeletal plate covering almost all the right surface of the body and a variable number of contractile vacuoles. The genus currently comprises 28 species, classified according to body size and shape, position and shape of the nuclear apparatus, number and position of contractile vacuoles, and number and shape of caudal projections. The present study performs a systematic review of the genus Ostracodinium, based on morphological and molecular data, and provides data about geographic distribution and hosts of each species.
Topics: Animals; Body Size; Ciliophora
PubMed: 34811084
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5039.2.6 -
Artificial Organs Nov 2021We present an updated overview of the literature comparing normothermic with hypothermic machine perfusion in porcine kidneys. We conducted a systematic literature...
We present an updated overview of the literature comparing normothermic with hypothermic machine perfusion in porcine kidneys. We conducted a systematic literature review in Embase, Medline Epub (Ovid), Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and Google Scholar on studies comparing normothermic (NMP) to hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) in porcine kidneys. A meta-analysis was judged inappropriate because of heterogeneity in study design and perfusion methods. The quality of evidence of each included study was assessed. We included 8 studies. One out of 5 studies reported a significant difference in peak renal blood flow in favor of NMP. Oxygen consumption was significantly higher in NMP kidneys in 2 out of 5 studies. Peak creatinine clearance in NMP was significantly higher than that in HMP in 1 out of 6 studies. Two out of 4 studies reported a higher degree of epithelial vacuolation in kidneys receiving NMP over HMP. None of the studies found a significant difference between NMP and HMP in peak serum creatinine or graft survival after autotransplantation. The results need to be interpreted with caution in view of the diversity in perfusion protocols, the low quality of evidence, and the limited sample sizes.
Topics: Animals; Cold Temperature; Kidney; Kidney Transplantation; Organ Preservation; Oxygen Consumption; Perfusion; Swine
PubMed: 34309868
DOI: 10.1111/aor.14039 -
Neuro-Chirurgie Nov 2021Liponeurocytoma is an uncommon tumor of the central nervous system. It is very rare for this tumor to originate within the lateral ventricle. In the context of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Liponeurocytoma is an uncommon tumor of the central nervous system. It is very rare for this tumor to originate within the lateral ventricle. In the context of the rarity of this tumor entity, this review article aims to summarize the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of lateral ventricular liponeurocytoma to facilitate its diagnosis and management.
METHODS
Here, we conduct a systematic literature review using the Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library database for all cases of lateral ventricular liponeurocytoma. A case illustration complements this review.
RESULTS
The described cases from 1997 onward include 14 cases that have been published in full papers in the English literature. Six additional cases are reported in short English abstracts in full non-English papers, and one case was described in a central neurocytoma report. There is a definite male predominance of 70% (14 male) and a mean age of 37 years (range 24-62). Heterogenous enhancement and signals in magnetic resonant images (MRI) are the radiological characteristics. In all reported cases, the presence of lipocytes and fat vacuoles is considered the paramount histopathological feature. Total surgical resection was achieved in 80% (12 out of 15) of the cases. Only two cases (including ours) received radiation therapy. Recurrence was seen in two patients during follow-up that was treated by radiation therapy in one and surgery in the other. The proliferation index is mostly below 5% in all cases, with the Ki-67 range between<1% to 10%.
CONCLUSIONS
Lateral ventricular liponeurocytoma has been treated effectively by surgical resection in a limited number of cases. The decision for radiation therapy is based on a high proliferation index and tumor recurrence.
Topics: Adult; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Humans; Lateral Ventricles; Lipoma; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neurocytoma; Young Adult
PubMed: 33766564
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2021.03.004 -
International Journal of Dermatology Mar 2022Balloon cell melanoma (BCM) is a rare presentation of malignant melanoma characterized by large, foamy melanocytes lacking pigmentation. This is a comprehensive review... (Review)
Review
Balloon cell melanoma (BCM) is a rare presentation of malignant melanoma characterized by large, foamy melanocytes lacking pigmentation. This is a comprehensive review of the clinical, dermoscopic, and histological features among BCM cases reported in the literature. A systematic review of all case reports and series published since 1970 was conducted via MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, using "balloon cell melanoma" and synonymous search terms. Our systematic search identified 76 cases (49% male, 51% female) of BCM in the literature. The mean age at presentation was 57.81 years. Prior skin cancer, particularly melanoma (47%), accounted for 58% of pertinent medical history. Prominent clinical exam findings included raised (46%), ulcerated (73%) lesions larger than 1 cm (68%) in the lower extremities (35%). Median Breslow thickness of primary BCM cases was 2.5 mm. Hairpin vessels (75%) and structureless architecture (75%) were predominant on dermoscopy. Notable histopathology included large (47%), vacuolated (58%) cells with foamy cytoplasm (62%) and conspicuous nucleoli (27%). Positive S-100 immunohistochemistry (73%) was most frequently employed to diagnose BCM. We observed 47% primary and 53% metastatic BCM cases. Of metastatic BCMs, balloon cells in the primary lesion were unknown in 48%, devoid in 33%, and present in 20% of cases. All metastases displayed predominant balloon cell morphology. BCM may represent an advanced phase in the progression of malignant melanoma. Improved awareness of BCM characteristics among clinicians may reduce the risk of misdiagnoses.
Topics: Dermoscopy; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 33645660
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15448