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Transactions of the Royal Society of... Oct 2018Vitamin B12 deficiency is an urgent public health problem that disproportionately affects individuals in low- and middle-income settings, where the burden of neglected...
Vitamin B12 deficiency is an urgent public health problem that disproportionately affects individuals in low- and middle-income settings, where the burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is also unacceptably high. Emerging evidence supports a potential role of micronutrients in modulating the risk and severity of NTDs. However, the role of vitamin B12 in NTD pathogenesis is unknown. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the evidence on the role of vitamin B12 in the etiology of NTDs. Ten studies were included in this review: one study using an in vitro/animal model, eight observational human studies and one ancillary analysis conducted within an intervention trial. Most research to date has focused on vitamin B12 status and helminthic infections. One study examined the effects of vitamin B12 interventions in NTDs in animal and in vitro models. Few prospective studies have been conducted to date to examine the role of vitamin B12 in NTDs. The limited literature in this area constrains our ability to make specific recommendations. Larger prospective human studies are needed to elucidate the role of vitamin B12 in NTD risk and severity in order to inform interventions in at-risk populations.
Topics: Animals; Helminthiasis; Humans; Neglected Diseases; Observational Studies as Topic; Risk Factors; Tropical Medicine; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
PubMed: 30165408
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try078 -
Danish Medical Journal May 2018The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is typically based on the presence of motor symptoms, but in the early phase of the disease, the diagnostic process can be... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is typically based on the presence of motor symptoms, but in the early phase of the disease, the diagnostic process can be challenging. Examination of non-motor symptoms in patients suspected of PD has gained growing attention. Olfactory tests have shown promising results as ancillary diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to investigate how olfactory tests may be used clinically in diagnostic process in PD.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed for relevant literature on 8 March 2017. A total of 358 articles were found. Our screening process left 27 articles, which were included for further analysis.
RESULTS
In all, 20 of the included studies analysed the diagnostic value of olfactory testing by comparing patients with PD to healthy controls. Sensitivities varied from 61% to 95% and specificities from 66% to 99%. Ten studies used olfactory tests to distinguish between PD and diseases that mimic PD. The sensitivities varied from 62% to 92% and the specificities from 65% and 96%.
CONCLUSIONS
Olfactory test can be a valuable ancillary tool in the diagnostic process in PD. In a clinical setting, the identification part from Sniffin' Sticks 16 is the most usable because it may be conducted quickly and independently of disease duration and severity. Before using an olfactory test in a clinical setting, it is necessary to adjust the odours to the patient population, and to establish the optimal specificity-adjusted cut-off.
Topics: Humans; Olfaction Disorders; Olfactory Pathways; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 29726318
DOI: No ID Found -
Radiology Jan 2018The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) standardizes the interpretation, reporting, and data collection for imaging examinations in patients at risk for... (Review)
Review
The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) standardizes the interpretation, reporting, and data collection for imaging examinations in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It assigns category codes reflecting relative probability of HCC to imaging-detected liver observations based on major and ancillary imaging features. LI-RADS also includes imaging features suggesting malignancy other than HCC. Supported and endorsed by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the system has been developed by a committee of radiologists, hepatologists, pathologists, surgeons, lexicon experts, and ACR staff, with input from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Organ Procurement Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing. Development of LI-RADS has been based on literature review, expert opinion, rounds of testing and iteration, and feedback from users. This article summarizes and assesses the quality of evidence supporting each LI-RADS major feature for diagnosis of HCC, as well as of the LI-RADS imaging features suggesting malignancy other than HCC. Based on the evidence, recommendations are provided for or against their continued inclusion in LI-RADS. RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Databases, Factual; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 29166245
DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2017170554 -
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 2017The aim of our scoping review was to summarize the state of the art regarding micronutrients in order to identify which of them might effectively improve health status... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our scoping review was to summarize the state of the art regarding micronutrients in order to identify which of them might effectively improve health status in the areas typically impaired in older people: bone, skeletal muscle, and cognitive function.
DESIGN
Scoping review.
METHODS
The Italian Study Group on Healthy Aging by Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements (HANDS) performed this scoping review, based on the following steps: doing a list of micronutrients related with musculoskeletal or cognitive functions, included in dietary supplements and nutraceuticals commercialized in Italy; planning a research on PubMed, according to an evidence-based approach, in order to the most relevant positive study for each micronutrient into each of the three areas involved (bone, skeletal muscle and cognitive function); identifying the micronutrients effective in maintaining or achieving an adequate health status in older people, specifying the effective and safe daily doses, according to the selected studies.
RESULTS
In literature we found 12 relevant positive studies (1 international society guidelines/recommendations, 1 systematic review, 7 randomized controlled trials, and 3 prospective cohort studies). We showed that only 16 micronutrients resulted to have appropriate scientific evidences in terms of improving musculoskeletal health and/or cognitive function in older people: beta-alanine, calcium, creatine, fluorides, leucine, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K2, and zinc.
CONCLUSION
This scoping review showed that selected micronutrients in adequate doses might have an ancillary role in musculoskeletal health and cognitive functions in older people.
Topics: Aged; Amino Acids; Bone and Bones; Calcium, Dietary; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fluorides; Humans; Italy; Magnesium; Micronutrients; Muscle, Skeletal; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Potassium; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D; Zinc
PubMed: 28448083
DOI: 10.1007/s12603-016-0823-x -
Studies in Family Planning Dec 2016Paying for performance is a strategy to meet the unmet need for family planning in low and middle income countries; however, rigorous evidence on effectiveness is... (Review)
Review
Paying for performance is a strategy to meet the unmet need for family planning in low and middle income countries; however, rigorous evidence on effectiveness is lacking. Scientific databases and grey literature were searched from 1994 to May 2016. Thirteen studies were included. Payments were linked to units of targeted services, usually modified by quality indicators. Ancillary components and payment indicators differed between studies. Results were mixed for family planning outcome measures. Paying for performance was associated with improved modern family planning use in one study, and increased user and coverage rates in two more. Paying for performance with conditional cash transfers increased family planning use in another. One study found increased use in the upper wealth group only. However, eight studies reported no impact on modern family planning use or prevalence. Secondary outcomes of equity, financial risk protection, satisfaction, quality, and service organization were mixed. Available evidence is inconclusive and limited by the scarcity of studies and by variation in intervention, study design, and outcome measures. Further studies are warranted.
Topics: Developing Countries; Family Planning Services; Humans; Quality Improvement; Reimbursement, Incentive
PubMed: 27859313
DOI: 10.1111/sifp.12001 -
BMC Neurology Nov 2016Neurosarcoidosis is a rare variant of sarcoidosis and is only described in small cohort studies. We define clinical features, treatment and outcome of patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Neurosarcoidosis is a rare variant of sarcoidosis and is only described in small cohort studies. We define clinical features, treatment and outcome of patients with neurosarcoidosis over the last 35 years.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on neurosarcoidosis published between 1980 and 2016. Studies were included if they reported at least 5 cases. Studies describing one specific neurological presentation were excluded.
RESULTS
We identified 29 articles describing 1088 patients diagnosed between 1965 and 2015. Neurosarcoidosis occurred in 5% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Mean age at presentation was 43 years and neurological symptoms were the first clinical manifestation of sarcoidosis in 52%. The most commonly reported feature of neurosarcoidosis was cranial neuropathy in 55%, with the facial and optic nerve most commonly affected, followed by headache in 32%. Pleiocytosis and elevated CSF protein were found in 58 and 63%. MRI of the brain showed abnormalities in 70%. Chest X-ray, chest CT, or gallium-67-scintigraphy showed findings consistent with sarcoidosis in 60%, 70% and 69%, respectively. First line therapy with corticosteroids was initiated in 434 of 539 patients (81%). Second and third line therapy was started in 27 and 9%. Outcome consisted of complete remission in 27%, incomplete remission in 32%, stable disease in 24%, deterioration in 6% and death in 5%.
CONCLUSION
Neurosarcoidosis has a heterogeneous clinical presentation and the diagnosis can be difficult because of low sensitivity of ancillary investigations. New treatments have emerged, but nevertheless one third of patients do not respond to treatment. Prospective cohort studies and RCTs on treatment are urgently needed.
Topics: Adult; Central Nervous System Diseases; Humans; Sarcoidosis
PubMed: 27846819
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0741-x -
Annals of Saudi Medicine 2016The Papanicolaou (Pap) test is one screening strategy used to prevent cervical cancer in developed countries. The p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry is a triage test... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The Papanicolaou (Pap) test is one screening strategy used to prevent cervical cancer in developed countries. The p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry is a triage test performed on Pap smears in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to review studies investigating the diagnostic performance of p16/Ki-67 dual stain for triage of women with abnormal Pap tests.
DESIGN
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.
SETTINGS
We followed the protocol of systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We searched PubMed, The Cochrane Library, BioMed Central, and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant studies. We included research that assessed the accuracy of p16/Ki-67 dual stain and high risk human papillomavirus testing for triage of abnormal Pap smears. Review articles and studies that provided insufficient data to construct 2.2 tables were excluded. Data synthesis was conducted using a random-effects model.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS
In seven studies encompassing 2628 patients, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of p16/Ki-67 for triage of abnormal Pap smear results were 0.91 (95% CI, 0.89 to 0.93) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.66), respectively. No study used a case-control design. A subgroup analysis involving liquid-based cytology showed a sensitivity of 0.91 (95%CI, 0.89 to 0.93) and specificity of 0.64 (95%CI, 0.61 to 0.66).
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis of p16/Ki-67 dual stain studies showed that the test achieved high sensitivity and moderate specificity for p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry for high-grade squamous intraepi.thelial lesion and cervical cancer. We suggest that p16/Ki-67 dual stain might be a reliable ancillary method identifying high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in women with abnormal Pap tests.
LIMITATIONS
No study in the meta-analysis examined the accuracy of the p16/Ki-67 dual stain for inter.pretation of glandular neoplasms.
Topics: Atypical Squamous Cells of the Cervix; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Ki-67 Antigen; Papanicolaou Test; Predictive Value of Tests; Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix; Triage; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 27478909
DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2016.245 -
Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology 2015The objective of our study was to review the current knowledge on Age- Related Macular Degeneration, including pathogenesis, ocular manifestations, diagnosis and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The objective of our study was to review the current knowledge on Age- Related Macular Degeneration, including pathogenesis, ocular manifestations, diagnosis and ancillary testing.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW METHODOLOGY
Relevant publications on Age-Related Macular Degeneration that were published until 2014.
CONCLUSIONS
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common macular disease affecting elderly people in the Western world. It is characterized by the appearance of drusen in the macula, accompanied by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or geographic atrophy.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Fluorescein Angiography; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Macular Degeneration; Prevalence; Retinal Drusen; Risk Factors; Romania; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Wet Macular Degeneration
PubMed: 26978865
DOI: No ID Found -
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Mar 2016Transcranial Doppler is a useful ancillary test for brain death confirmation because it is safe, noninvasive, and done at the bedside. Transcranial Doppler confirms... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Transcranial Doppler is a useful ancillary test for brain death confirmation because it is safe, noninvasive, and done at the bedside. Transcranial Doppler confirms brain death by evaluating cerebral circulatory arrest. Case series studies have generally reported good correlations between transcranial Doppler confirmation of cerebral circulatory arrest and clinical confirmation of brain death. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of transcranial Doppler as an ancillary test in brain death confirmation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis to compare the sensitivity and specificity of transcranial Doppler confirmation of cerebral circulatory arrest, by using clinical confirmation of brain death as the criterion standard.
RESULTS
We identified 22 eligible studies (1671 patients total), dating from 1987 to 2014. Pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates from 12 study protocols that reported data for the calculation of both values were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.92) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99), respectively. Between-study differences in the diagnostic performance of transcranial Doppler were found for both sensitivity (I(2) = 76%; P < .001) and specificity (I(2) = 74.3%; P < .001). The threshold effect was not significant (Spearman r = -0.173; P = .612). The area under the curve with the corresponding standard error (SE) was 0.964 ± 0.018, while index Q test ± SE was estimated at 0.910 ± 0.028.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this meta-analysis suggest that transcranial Doppler is a highly accurate ancillary test for brain death confirmation. However, transcranial Doppler evaluates cerebral circulatory arrest rather than brain stem function, and this limitation needs to be taken into account when interpreting the results of this meta-analysis.
Topics: Brain Death; Female; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
PubMed: 26514611
DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A4548 -
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention,... Mar 2015As far as we are aware, no previous systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative/descriptive literature on polypharmacy in anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
As far as we are aware, no previous systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative/descriptive literature on polypharmacy in anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS) users has been published.
METHOD
We systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative/descriptive literature gathered from searches in electronic databases and by inspecting reference lists of relevant literature to investigate AAS users' polypharmacy. We adhered to the recommendations of the UK Economic and Social Research Council's qualitative research synthesis manual and the PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 50 studies published between 1985 and 2014 were included in the analysis. Studies originated from 10 countries although most originated from United States (n=22), followed by Sweden (n=7), England only (n=5), and the United Kingdom (n=4). It was evident that prior to their debut, AAS users often used other licit and illicit substances. The main ancillary/supplementary substances used were alcohol, and cannabis/cannabinoids followed by cocaine, growth hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), amphetamine/meth, clenbuterol, ephedra/ephedrine, insulin, and thyroxine. Other popular substance classes were analgesics/opioids, dietary/nutritional supplements, and diuretics. Our classification of the various substances used by AAS users resulted in 13 main groups. These non-AAS substances were used mainly to enhance the effects of AAS, combat the side effects of AAS, and for recreational or relaxation purposes, as well as sexual enhancement.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings corroborate previous suggestions of associations between AAS use and the use of other licit and illicit substances. Efforts must be intensified to combat the debilitating effects of AAS-associated polypharmacy.
Topics: Anabolic Agents; Androgens; Drug Users; Humans; Polypharmacy; Self Medication
PubMed: 25888931
DOI: 10.1186/s13011-015-0006-5