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Cancers Sep 2022Background: OPG accounts for 3−5% of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors and about 2% of pediatric glial lesions. Methods: Article selection was performed by... (Review)
Review
Background: OPG accounts for 3−5% of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors and about 2% of pediatric glial lesions. Methods: Article selection was performed by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Results: The pooled mortality rate was 0.12 (95%CI 0.09−0.14). Due to the unrepresentative data, improved and not changed outcomes were classified as favorable outcomes and worsened as unfavorable. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the rate of clinical and radiological favorable outcomes. In terms of visual assessment, the pooled rate of a favorable outcome in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery was 0.74, 0.81, and 0.65, respectively, and the overall pooled rate of the favorable outcome was 0.75 (95%CI 0.70−0.80). In terms of radiological assessment, the rate of a favorable outcome following chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery was 0.71, 0.74, and 0.67, respectively, and the overall pooled rate of the favorable outcome is 0.71 (95%CI 0.65−0.77). The subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in the rate of clinical and radiological favorable outcomes between the different treatment modalities (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our analyses showed that each therapeutic modality represents viable treatment options to achieve remission for these patients.
PubMed: 36230704
DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194781 -
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2022Non-invasive brain stimulation methods have been widely utilized in research settings to manipulate and understand the functioning of the human brain. In the last two...
BACKGROUND
Non-invasive brain stimulation methods have been widely utilized in research settings to manipulate and understand the functioning of the human brain. In the last two decades, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has opened new doors for treating impairments caused by various neurological disorders. However, tES studies have shown inconsistent results in post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation, and there is no consensus on the effectiveness of tES devices in improving cognitive skills after the onset of stroke.
OBJECTIVES
We aim to systematically investigate the efficacy of tES in improving post-stroke global cognition, attention, working memory, executive functions, visual neglect, and verbal fluency. Furthermore, we aim to provide a pathway to an effective use of stimulation paradigms in future studies.
METHODS
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically searched in four different databases, including Medline, Embase, Pubmed, and PsychInfo. Studies utilizing any tES methods published in English were considered for inclusion. Standardized mean difference (SMD) for each cognitive domain was used as the primary outcome measure.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis includes 19 studies assessing at least one of the six cognitive domains. Five RCTs studying global cognition, three assessing visual neglect, five evaluating working memory, three assessing attention, and nine studies focusing on aphasia were included for meta-analysis. As informed by the quantitative analysis of the included studies, the results favor the efficacy of tES in acute improvement in aphasic deficits (SMD = 0.34, CI = 0.02-0.67, = 0.04) and attention deficits (SMD = 0.59, CI = -0.05-1.22, = 0.07), however, no improvement was observed in any other cognitive domains.
CONCLUSION
The results favor the efficacy of tES in an improvement in aphasia and attentive deficits in stroke patients in acute, subacute, and chronic stages. However, the outcome of tES cannot be generalized across cognitive domains. The difference in the stimulation montages and parameters, diverse cognitive batteries, and variable number of training sessions may have contributed to the inconsistency in the outcome. We suggest that in future studies, experimental designs should be further refined, and standardized stimulation protocols should be utilized to better understand the therapeutic effect of stimulation.
PubMed: 36188889
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.795737 -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2022Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disorder with many complex pathways feeding into its pathogenesis and progression. Vitamin C, an essential...
PURPOSE
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disorder with many complex pathways feeding into its pathogenesis and progression. Vitamin C, an essential dietary antioxidant, is vital for proper neurological development and maintenance. This meta-analysis and systematic review attempted to define the relationship between vitamin C plasma levels and AD while highlighting the importance and involvement of vitamin C in the pathogenesis of AD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PRISMA guidelines were used to obtain studies quantifying the plasma levels of vitamin C in AD and control subjects. The literature was searched in the online databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. A total of 12 studies were included ( = 1,100) and analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0.
RESULTS
The results show that there is a significant decrease in the plasma vitamin C levels of AD patients as compared to healthy controls (pooled SMD with random-effect model: -1.164, with 95%CI: -1.720 to -0.608, = -4.102, = 0.00) with significant heterogeneity ( = 93.218). The sensitivity analysis showed directionally similar results. Egger's regression test ( = 0.11) and visual inspection of the funnel plot showed no publication bias.
CONCLUSION
Based on these studies, it can be deduced that the deficiency of vitamin C is involved in disease progression and supplementation is a plausible preventive and treatment strategy. However, clinical studies are warranted to elucidate its exact mechanistic role in AD pathophysiology and prevention.
PubMed: 36158537
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.970263 -
Ophthalmology Feb 2023To define the effect of symptom duration on outcomes in people undergoing surgery for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (iFTMHs) by means of an individual... (Review)
Review
TOPIC
To define the effect of symptom duration on outcomes in people undergoing surgery for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (iFTMHs) by means of an individual participant data (IPD) study of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The outcomes assessed were primary iFTMH closure and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Idiopathic full-thickness macular holes are visually disabling with a prevalence of up to 0.5%. Untreated BCVA is typically reduced to 20/200. Surgery can close holes and improve vision. Symptom duration is thought to affect outcomes with surgery, but the effect is unclear.
METHODS
A systematic review identified eligible RCTs that included adults with iFTMH undergoing vitrectomy with gas tamponade in which symptom duration, primary iFTMH closure, and postoperative BCVA were recorded. Bibliographic databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2020. Individual participant data were requested from eligible studies.
RESULTS
Twenty eligible RCTs were identified. Data were requested from all studies and obtained from 12, representing 940 eyes in total. Median symptom duration was 6 months (interquartile range, 3-10). Primary closure was achieved in 81.5% of eyes. There was a linear relationship between predicted probability of closure and symptom duration. Multilevel logistic regression showed each additional month of duration was associated with 0.965 times lower odds of closure (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.935-0.996, P = 0.026). Internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, ILM flap use, better preoperative BCVA, face-down positioning, and smaller iFTMH size were associated with increased odds of primary closure. Median postoperative BCVA in eyes achieving primary closure was 0.48 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (20/60). Multilevel logistic regression showed for eyes achieving primary iFTMH closure, each additional month of symptom duration was associated with worsening BCVA by 0.008 logMAR units (95% CI, 0.005-0.011, P < 0.001) (i.e., ∼1 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter loss per 2 months). ILM flaps, intraocular tamponade using long-acting gas, better preoperative BCVA, smaller iFTMH size, and phakic status were also associated with improved postoperative BCVA.
CONCLUSIONS
Symptom duration was independently associated with both anatomic and visual outcomes in persons undergoing surgery for iFTMH. Time to surgery should be minimized and care pathways designed to enable this.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Retinal Perforations; Visual Acuity; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retina; Vitrectomy; Retrospective Studies; Basement Membrane; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36058348
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.08.028 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Feb 2023To review the literature on the application of bioinformatics and artificial intelligence (AI) for analysis of biofluid biomarkers in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To review the literature on the application of bioinformatics and artificial intelligence (AI) for analysis of biofluid biomarkers in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and their potential utility in clinical decision-making.
METHODS
We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for articles reporting on AI or bioinformatics in RVO involving biofluids from inception to August 2021. Simple AI was categorized as logistics regressions of any type. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools.
RESULTS
Among 10,264 studies screened, 14 eligible articles, encompassing 578 RVO patients, met the inclusion criteria. The use and reporting of AI and bioinformatics was heterogenous. Four articles performed proteomic analyses, two of which integrated AI tools such as discriminant analysis, probabilistic clustering, and string pathway analysis. A metabolomic study used AI tools for clustering, classification, and predictive modeling such as orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. However, most studies used simple AI (n = 9). Vitreous humor sample levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and aqueous humor levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and IL-8 were implicated in the pathogenesis of branch RVO with macular edema. IL-6 and VEGF may predict visual acuity after intravitreal injections or vitrectomy, respectively. Metabolomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis identified the metabolic signature of central RVO to be related to lower aqueous humor concentration of carbohydrates and amino acids. Risk of bias was low or moderate for included studies.
CONCLUSION
Bioinformatics has applications for analysis of proteomics and metabolomics present in biofluids in RVO with AI for clinical decision-making and advancing the future of RVO precision medicine. However, multiple limitations such as simple AI use, small sample volume, inconsistent feasibility of office-based sampling, lack of longitudinal follow-up, lack of sampling before and after RVO, and lack of healthy controls must be addressed in future studies.
Topics: Humans; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Artificial Intelligence; Computational Biology; Interleukin-6; Intravitreal Injections; Proteomics; Retinal Diseases; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
PubMed: 35925451
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05769-5 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2022It is widely known that exercise improves inhibitory control; however, the mechanisms behind the cognitive improvement remain unclear. This study analyzes the extant...
It is widely known that exercise improves inhibitory control; however, the mechanisms behind the cognitive improvement remain unclear. This study analyzes the extant literature on the neuronal effects of exercise on inhibitory control functions. We searched four online databases (Pubmed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) for relevant peer-reviewed studies to identify eligible studies published before September 1, 2021. Among the 4,090 candidate studies identified, 14 meet the inclusion criteria, and the results of 397 participants in these 14 studies are subsequently analyzed. We quantify the neural effects on the entire brain by using GingerALE software and identify 10 clusters of exercise-induced neuronal with either increases/decreases in the superior temporal gyrus (BA 22), precuneus (BA 7), superior frontal gyrus (BA 10), cuneus (BA 19), precuneus (BA 19), caudate, posterior cingulate (BA 19), middle temporal gyrus (B 37), parahippocampal gyrus (BA 30), precentral gyrus (BA 6). Meta-analytic coactivation map (MACM) showed that multiple functional networks overlap with brain regions with activation likelihood estimation (ALE) results. We propose the effect of exercise on neural activity is related to inhibitory control in the extended frontoparietal, default mode network (DMN), visual network, and other pathways. These results provide preliminary evidence of the neural effects of exercise on inhibitory control.
PubMed: 35814955
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.891095 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2022This study was to explore the research status and research hotspots of ferritinophagy in the past eight years.
OBJECTIVE
This study was to explore the research status and research hotspots of ferritinophagy in the past eight years.
METHODS
Relevant papers on ferritinophagy from 2014 to 2021 was retrieved from the science citation extended database of the Web of Science. Through the application of bibliometrics research methods and bibliometrics analysis software VOSviewer to extract, analyze and visualize journals, authors, research institutions and keywords, to clarify the hot spots and development history of peritoneal dialysis research.
RESULTS
A total of 134 studies were screened and included in this study. Overall, the output of ferritinophagy research had fluctuated in the past 8 years. China's research on ferritinophagy had the largest number of published articles. The United States still maintained a leading position in research in this field, and its citation frequency, H-index and funding output are all at the forefront. Among them, international cooperation with relevant institutions was also more frequent. Ferritinophagy was currently mainly focused on cell biology. Tumor research might be the next major clinical research direction in this field. The related research on oxidative stress pathways, cell death methods, and nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4) in the field of ferritinophagy were current research hotspots.
CONCLUSIONS
It could be understanding the research status and hotspots of ferritinophagy in the world more clearly and intuitively by using the bibliometric method.
Topics: Bibliometrics; Publications; United States
PubMed: 35748269
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2706193 -
EClinicalMedicine Jul 2022Glaucoma and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prevalent and debilitating conditions, with common pathogenic pathways like oxidative stress and fluid dysregulation. We...
BACKGROUND
Glaucoma and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prevalent and debilitating conditions, with common pathogenic pathways like oxidative stress and fluid dysregulation. We evaluated if there is a bidirectional association between them, as previous studies have yielded conflicting results.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception until 15 June 2021, including full-length English articles published in peer-reviewed journals reporting on glaucoma and CKD as either exposure or outcome, among participants aged ≥18 years. We pooled overall summary estimates of odds ratios using random-effect meta-analysis and conducted subgroup meta-analyses and univariate meta regression. We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and quality of evidence using the GRADE framework. Our article is PROSPERO-registered and adherent to both PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021262846).
FINDINGS
We identified 14 articles comprising of 3 retrospective cohort studies and 12 cross-sectional studies from 2,428 records, including 1,978,254 participants. Risk of bias was low to moderate. Participants with CKD at baseline had higher pooled odds of glaucoma (odds ratio[OR]=1.18, 95% confidence interval[CI]=1.04-1.33, I=66%, N=12) compared to participants without CKD. The association remained significant in subgroups of longitudinal studies, participants with diabetes, East Asian studies and primary open-angle glaucoma. In the reverse direction, participants with glaucoma at baseline had over three-fold higher odds of incident CKD compared to participants without glaucoma after 10-15 years of follow-up in longitudinal studies (OR=3.67, 95% CI=2.16-6.24, I=75%, N=2). All studies adjusted for age and sex, while most studies adjusted for comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Meta-regression identified ethnicity (East Asians vs Non-East Asians) as a significant effect moderator. Associations were robust to trim-and-fill adjustment for publication bias, single-study influence and cumulative meta-analyses.
INTERPRETATION
Our meta-analysis suggests a bidirectional relationship between glaucoma and CKD, particularly among East Asians. Further studies are required to elucidate underlying mechanisms and account for differential association by ethnicity.
FUNDING
Ching-Yu Cheng is supported by Clinician Scientist Award (NMRC/CSA-SI/0012/2017) of the Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council.
PubMed: 35747173
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101498 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2022Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is suggested that primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma, may be associated with...
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is suggested that primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma, may be associated with significant metabolic alternations, but the systemic literature review and meta-analysis in the area have been missing. Altered metabolomic profiles in the aqueous humor and plasma may serve as possible biomarkers for early detection or treatment targets. In this article, we performed a systematic meta-analysis of the current literature surrounding the metabolomics of patients with POAG and metabolites associated with the disease. Results suggest several metabolites found to be specifically altered in patients with POAG, suggesting broad generalizability and pathways for future research.
PubMed: 35645711
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.835736 -
Pediatric Neurosurgery 2022Novel targeted and tailored therapies can substantially improve the prognosis for optic pathway glioma (OPG), especially when implemented in a timely manner. However,...
INTRODUCTION
Novel targeted and tailored therapies can substantially improve the prognosis for optic pathway glioma (OPG), especially when implemented in a timely manner. However, their tremendous potential remains underestimated. Therefore, in this study, we provide an updated overview of the clinical trials, current trends, and future perspectives for OPG's novel therapeutic strategies.
METHODS
We completed an extensive literature review using the PubMed, MEDLINE, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. We analyzed and reported the data following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
RESULTS
Thioguanine, procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine/vinblastine, as well as cisplatin-etoposide, provided excellent results in advanced-phase trials. Selumetinib and trametinib, two oral MEK inhibitors, have been approved for recurrent or refractory OPGs in association with the angiogenetic inhibitor bevacizumab. Among the mTOR inhibitors, everolimus and sirolimus showed the best results. Stereotactic radiosurgery and proton beam radiation therapy have advantages over conventional radiotherapy regimens. Timely treatment is imperative for acute visual symptoms with evidence of tumor progression. This latest evidence can help define a novel "T-Dimension" for pediatric OPG therapies.
CONCLUSION
The novel "T-Dimension" for pediatric OPGs is based on recent evidence-based treatments, including combination chemotherapy regimens, molecular targeted therapies, stereotactic radiosurgery, and proton beam radiation therapy. Additional clinical trials are essential for validating each of these new therapies.
Topics: Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Glioma; Humans; Lomustine; Radiosurgery; Vincristine
PubMed: 35588700
DOI: 10.1159/000524873