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Reproductive Biomedicine Online Jun 2021Recent meta-analyses have shown that a hysterosalpingography (HSG) with oil-based contrast increases pregnancy rates in subfertile women. However, the frequency of...
Recent meta-analyses have shown that a hysterosalpingography (HSG) with oil-based contrast increases pregnancy rates in subfertile women. However, the frequency of complications during or after an HSG with oil-based contrast in subfertile women and/or their offspring is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis, without restrictions on language, publication date or study design, was performed to fill this knowledge gap. The results show that the most frequently reported complication was intravasation of contrast, which occurred in 2.7% with the use of oil-based contrast (31 cohort studies and randomized controlled trials [RCT], 95% CI 1.7-3.8, absolute event rate 664/19,339), compared with 2.0% with the use of water-based contrast (8 cohort studies and RCT, 95% CI 1.2-3.0, absolute event rate 18/1006). In the cohort studies and RCT there were 18 women with an oil embolism (18/19,339 HSG), all without serious lasting consequences. Four cases with serious consequences of an oil embolism were described (retinal oil embolism [n = 1] and cerebral complaints [n = 3]); these reports did not describe the use of adequate fluoroscopy guidance during HSG. In conclusion, the most frequently reported complication after an HSG with oil-based contrast is intravasation occurring in 2.7%. In total four cases with serious consequences of oil embolisms in subfertile women were published.
Topics: Contrast Media; Embolism; Humans; Hysterosalpingography; Iodized Oil; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 33931367
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.03.014 -
Medicine Mar 2021This systematic review investigated the clinical effects of inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of sleep problems such as insomnia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This systematic review investigated the clinical effects of inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of sleep problems such as insomnia.
METHODS
Studies on sleep problems and inhalation aromatherapy, published in Korean and international journals, were included in the meta-analysis. Five domestic and international databases, respectively each, were used for the literature search. Keywords included sleep disorder, sleep problems, insomnia, and aroma inhalation, and the related literature was further searched. After the screening, selected articles were assessed for their quality and conducted the risk of bias using RevMan 5.0, a systematic literature review was then conducted. A meta-analysis comparing the averages was conducted on studies that reported numerical values. Additionally, meta-analysis of variance and meta-regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis of the 34 studies using the random-effects model revealed that the use of aromatherapy was highly effective in improving sleep problems such as insomnia, including quantitative and qualitative sleep effects (95% confidence interval [CI], effect sizes = 0.6491). Subgroup analysis revealed that the secondary outcomes including stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue were significantly effective. The single aroma inhalation method was more effective than the mixed aroma inhalation method. Among the single inhalation methods, the lavender inhalation effect was the greatest.
CONCLUSION
Inhalation aromatherapy is effective in improving sleep problems such as insomnia. Therefore, it is essential to develop specific guidelines for the efficient inhalation of aromatherapy.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval is not required because individual patient data are not included. The findings of this systematic review were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020142120.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adult; Aromatherapy; Female; Humans; Lavandula; Male; Middle Aged; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33655928
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024652 -
Nutrients Feb 2021Olive oil, which is commonly used in the Mediterranean diet, is known for its health benefits related to the reduction of the risks of cancer, coronary heart disease,...
Olive oil, which is commonly used in the Mediterranean diet, is known for its health benefits related to the reduction of the risks of cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and neurodegenerative disease. These unique properties are attributed to the phytochemicals with potent antioxidant activities in olive oil. Olive leaf also harbours similar bioactive compounds. Several studies have reported the effects of olive phenolics, olive oil, and leaf extract in the modulation of thyroid activities. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the effects of olive derivatives on thyroid function. A comprehensive search was conducted in October 2020 using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Cellular, animal, and human studies reporting the effects of olive derivatives, including olive phenolics, olive oil, and leaf extracts on thyroid function were considered. The literature search found 445 articles on this topic, but only nine articles were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All included articles were animal studies involving the administration of olive oil, olive leaf extract, or olive pomace residues orally. These olive derivatives were consistently demonstrated to have thyroid-stimulating activities in euthyroid or hypothyroid animals, but their mechanisms of action are unknown. Despite the positive results, validation of the beneficial health effects of olive derivatives in the human population is lacking. In conclusion, olive derivatives, especially olive oil and leaf extract, could stimulate thyroid function. Olive pomace residue is not suitable for pharmaceutical or health supplementation purposes. Therapeutic applications of olive oil and leaf extract, especially in individuals with hypothyroidism, require further validation through human studies.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Diet, Mediterranean; Olea; Olive Oil; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Polyphenols; Thyroid Diseases; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 33561976
DOI: 10.3390/nu13020529 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021Many studies demonstrated that olive oil (especially extra virgin olive oil: EVOO) phenolic compounds are bioactive molecules with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Many studies demonstrated that olive oil (especially extra virgin olive oil: EVOO) phenolic compounds are bioactive molecules with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and neuroprotective activities. These effects have been recently attributed to the ability of these compounds to induce epigenetics modifications such as miRNAs expression, DNA methylation and histone modifications. In this study, we systematically review and discuss, following the PRISMA statements, the epigenetic modifications induced by EVOO and its phenols in different experimental systems. At the end of literature search through "PubMed", "Web of Science" and "Scopus", 43 studies were selected.Among them, 22 studies reported data on miRNAs, 15 on DNA methylation and 13 on histone modification. Most of the "epigenomic" changes observed in response to olive oil phenols' exposure were mechanistically associated with the cancer preventive and anti-inflammatory effects. In many cases, the epigenetics effects regarding the DNA methylation were demonstrated for olive oil but without any indication regarding the presence or not of phenols. Overall, the findings of the present systematic review may have important implications for understanding the epigenetic mechanisms behind the health effects of olive oil. However, generally no direct evidence was provided for the causal relationships between epigenetics modification and EVOO health related effects. Further studies are necessary to demonstrate the real physiological consequences of the epigenetics modification induced by EVOO and its phenolic compounds.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Histones; Humans; MicroRNAs; Olea; Olive Oil; Phenols
PubMed: 33430487
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020273 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020Herbicides are natural or synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds). To avoid the harmful effects of synthetic herbicides, considerable effort has been... (Review)
Review
Herbicides are natural or synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds). To avoid the harmful effects of synthetic herbicides, considerable effort has been devoted to finding alternative products derived from natural sources. Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants are auspicious source of bioherbicides. This review discusses phytotoxic EOs and their chemical compositions as reported from 1972 to 2020. Using chemometric analysis, we attempt to build a structure-activity relationship between phytotoxicity and EO chemical composition. Data analysis reveals that oxygenated terpenes, and mono- and sesquiterpenes, in particular, play principal roles in the phytotoxicity of EOs. Pinene, 1,8 cineole, linalool, and carvacrol are the most effective monoterpenes, with significant phytotoxicity evident in the EOs of many plants. Caryophyllene and its derivatives, including germacrene, spathulenol, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, are the most effective sesquiterpenes. EOs rich in iridoids (non-terpene compounds) also exhibit allelopathic activity. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of these compounds in pure forms, determine their activity in the field, evaluate their safety, and assess their modes of action.
PubMed: 33375618
DOI: 10.3390/plants10010036 -
PloS One 2020Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic helminthiasis caused by different species of the genus Echinococcus, and is a major economic and public health concern...
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic helminthiasis caused by different species of the genus Echinococcus, and is a major economic and public health concern worldwide. Synthetic anthelmintics are most commonly used to control CE, however, prolonged use of these drugs may result in many adverse effects. This study aims to discuss the in vitro/in vivo scolicidal efficacy of different medicinal plants and their components used against Echinococcus granulosus. Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Scopus were used to retrieve the published literature from 2000-2020. A total of 62 published articles met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 22 families have been reported to be evaluated as scolicidal agents against E. granulosus worldwide. Most extensively used medicinal plants against E. granulosus belong to the family Lamiaceae (25.0%) followed by Apiaceae (11.3%). Among various plant parts, leaves (36.0%) were most commonly used. Essential oils of Zataria multiflora and Ferula asafetida at a concentration of 0.02, and 0.06 mg/ml showed 100% in vitro scolicidal activity after 10 min post application, respectively. Z. multiflora also depicted high in vivo efficacy by decreasing weight and size while also causing extensive damage to the germinal layer of the cysts. Plant-based compounds like berberine, thymol, and thymoquinone have shown high efficacy against E. granulosus. These plant species and compounds could be potentially used for the development of an effective drug against E. granulosus, if further investigated for in vivo efficacy, toxicity, and mechanism of drug action in future research.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus granulosus; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 33048959
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240456 -
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical... 2020Current guidelines recommend reducing intake of diets rich in saturated fats and replacing it with diets rich in unsaturated fats. Palm oil contains a high amount of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Current guidelines recommend reducing intake of diets rich in saturated fats and replacing it with diets rich in unsaturated fats. Palm oil contains a high amount of saturated fatty acids, but its effect on serum lipid levels is unclear. The study aimed to compare the effects of palm oil consumption with other edible oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on serum lipid profiles.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN
We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials and CINAHL. Clinical trials were eligible if they compared palm oil-rich diets with diets rich in MUFAs or PUFAs. We pooled results of included studies using a random effects model and assessed the quality of the evidence and certainty of conclusions using the GRADE approach.
RESULTS
Intake of palm oil intake compared to oils rich in MUFA was associated with increased levels of total cholesterol (TC) [mean difference (MD)=0.27 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.45], LDL-C (MD=0.20 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.37) and HDL-C (MD=0.06 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.10). Similarly, for comparison with oils rich in PUFAs, palm oil showed increased in TC (MD=0.38 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.62), LDL-C (MD= 0.44 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.88) and HDL-C (MD=0.08 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.13). For both comparisons, there were no significant effects on triglycerides.
CONCLUSIONS
Even though palm oil increases marginally the level of serum lipids, the evidence is mostly of low to moderate quality.
Topics: Diet; Dietary Fats; Humans; Lipids; Palm Oil
PubMed: 32990612
DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202009_29(3).0011 -
Journal of Oleo Science Oct 2020To present a systematic review of published studies in databases such as PUBMED, REDALYC, SCIELO, DIALNET, SCOPUS, EBSCO and CONRICYT related to the role-played by the...
To present a systematic review of published studies in databases such as PUBMED, REDALYC, SCIELO, DIALNET, SCOPUS, EBSCO and CONRICYT related to the role-played by the components present in the vegetable oil of grape seed (Vitis vinífera) and the prevention or delay in the onset or progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The analysis of the research revealed that neurodegenerative diseases causes alterations in consciousness or in the nervous system leading to severe damage in neuronal cells, these pathologies are considered gradual and progressive. Various syndromes manifest the degenerative diseases of the nervous system; in some of them the predominant symptom is the progressive dementia. Among the components of the diet that in numerous epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association are vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, the latter being the ones addressed in this document. There is an important evidence that a nutritional support based on polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants can be applied to subjects with a history of neurodegenerative conditions in order to act as neuroprotectors. This requires the determination of the nutritional benefits of these nutrients or of nutraceuticals for the health of this group of patients.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Complementary Therapies; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Grape Seed Extract; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuroprotective Agents; Plant Oils; Rats; Vitis
PubMed: 32908097
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess20109 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2020Medications licensed for the treatment of dementia have limited efficacy against cognitive impairment or against the distressed behaviours (behavioural and psychological... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Medications licensed for the treatment of dementia have limited efficacy against cognitive impairment or against the distressed behaviours (behavioural and psychological symptoms, or behaviour that challenges) which are also often the most distressing aspect of the disorder for caregivers. Complementary therapies, including aromatherapy, are attractive to patients, practitioners and families, because they are perceived as being unlikely to cause adverse effects. Therefore there is interest in whether aromatherapy might offer a safe means of alleviating distressed behaviours in dementia.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and safety of aromatherapy for people with dementia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Specialized Register, on 5 May 2020 using the terms: aromatherapy, lemon, lavender, rose, aroma, alternative therapies, complementary therapies, essential oils. In addition, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO (all via Ovid SP), Web of Science Core Collection (via Thompson Web of Science), LILACS (via BIREME), CENTRAL (via the Cochrane Library), ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) trials portal (ICTRP) on 5 May 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials which compared fragrance from plants in an intervention defined as aromatherapy for people with dementia with placebo aromatherapy or with treatment as usual. All doses, frequencies and fragrances of aromatherapy were considered. Participants in the included studies had a diagnosis of dementia of any subtype and severity.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias in included studies, involving other authors to reach consensus decisions where necessary. We did not perform any meta-analyses because of heterogeneity between studies, but presented a narrative synthesis of results from the included trials. Because of the heterogeneity of analysis methods and inadequate or absent reporting of data from some trials, we used statistical significance (P ≤ or > 0.5) as a summary metric when synthesising results across studies. As far as possible, we used GRADE methods to assess our confidence in the results of the trials, downgrading for risk of bias and imprecision.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 13 studies with 708 participants. All participants had dementia and in the 12 trials which described the setting, all were resident in institutional care facilities. Nine trials recruited participants because they had significant agitation or other behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) at baseline. The fragrances used were lavender (eight studies); lemon balm (four studies); lavender and lemon balm, lavender and orange, and cedar extracts (one study each). For six trials, assessment of risk of bias and extraction of results was hampered by poor reporting. Four of the other seven trials were at low risk of bias in all domains, but all were small (range 18 to 186 participants; median 66), reducing our confidence in the results. Our primary outcomes were agitation, overall behavioural and psychological symptoms, and adverse effects. Ten trials assessed agitation using various scales. Among the five trials for which our confidence in the results was moderate or low, four trials reported no significant effect on agitation and one trial reported a significant benefit of aromatherapy. The other five trials either reported no useable data or our confidence in the results was very low. Eight trials assessed overall BPSD using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and we had moderate or low confidence in the results of five of them. Of these, four reported significant benefit from aromatherapy and one reported no significant effect. Adverse events were poorly reported or not reported at all in most trials. No more than two trials assessed each of our secondary outcomes of quality of life, mood, sleep, activities of daily living, caregiver burden. We did not find evidence of benefit on these outcomes. Three trials assessed cognition: one did not report any data and the other two trials reported no significant effect of aromatherapy on cognition. Our confidence in the results of these studies was low.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We have not found any convincing evidence that aromatherapy (or exposure to fragrant plant oils) is beneficial for people with dementia although there are many limitations to the data. Conduct or reporting problems in half of the included studies meant that they could not contribute to the conclusions. Results from the other studies were inconsistent. Harms were very poorly reported in the included studies. In order for clear conclusions to be drawn, better design and reporting and consistency of outcome measurement in future trials would be needed.
Topics: Aromatherapy; Behavioral Symptoms; Bias; Dementia; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Psychomotor Agitation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 32813272
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003150.pub3 -
Parasitology Dec 2020Various treatments are found to be moderately effective in managing Demodex-related diseases except tea tree oil (TTO) and terpinen-4-ol (T4O), which showed superior... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Various treatments are found to be moderately effective in managing Demodex-related diseases except tea tree oil (TTO) and terpinen-4-ol (T4O), which showed superior miticidal and anti-inflammatory effects in numerous clinical studies. Their possible effects include lowering mite counts, relieving Demodex-related symptoms, and modulating the immune system. This review summarizes the current clinical topical and oral treatments in human demodicosis, their possible mechanisms of action, side-effects and resistance in treating this condition. TTO (especially T4O) is found to be the most effective followed by metronidazole, ivermectin and permethrin in managing the disease. This is because TTO has anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. Furthermore, nanoTTO can even release its contents into fungus and Pseudomonas biofilms. Combinations of different treatments are occasionally needed for refractory cases, especially for individuals with underlying genetic predisposal or are immuno-compromised. Although the current treatments show efficacy in controlling the Demodex mite population and the related symptoms, further research needs to be focused on the efficacy and drug delivery technology in order to develop alternative treatments with better side-effects profiles, less toxicity, lower risk of resistance and are more cost-effective.
Topics: Acaricides; Humans; Mite Infestations; Tea Tree Oil
PubMed: 32772960
DOI: 10.1017/S003118202000150X