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The British Journal of Nutrition Jan 2023Inflammation and infections such as malaria affect estimates of micronutrient status. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane library were searched to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Inflammation and infections such as malaria affect estimates of micronutrient status. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane library were searched to identify studies reporting mean concentrations of ferritin, hepcidin, retinol or retinol binding protein in individuals with asymptomatic or clinical malaria and healthy controls. Study quality was assessed using the US National Institute of Health tool. Random effects meta-analyses were used to generate summary mean differences. In total, forty-four studies were included. Mean ferritin concentrations were elevated by: 28·2 µg/l (95 % CI 15·6, 40·9) in children with asymptomatic malaria; 28·5 µg/l (95 % CI 8·1, 48·8) in adults with asymptomatic malaria; and 366 µg/l (95 % CI 162, 570) in children with clinical malaria compared with individuals without malaria infection. Mean hepcidin concentrations were elevated by 1·52 nmol/l (95 % CI 0·92, 2·11) in children with asymptomatic malaria. Mean retinol concentrations were reduced by: 0·11 µmol/l (95 % CI -0·22, -0·01) in children with asymptomatic malaria; 0·43 µmol/l (95 % CI -0·71, -0·16) in children with clinical malaria and 0·73 µmol/l (95 % CI -1·11, -0·36) in adults with clinical malaria. Most of these results were stable in sensitivity analyses. In children with clinical malaria and pregnant women, difference in ferritin concentrations were greater in areas with higher transmission intensity. We conclude that biomarkers of iron and vitamin A status should be statistically adjusted for malaria and the severity of infection. Several studies analysing asymptomatic infections reported elevated ferritin concentrations without noticeable elevation of inflammation markers, indicating a need to adjust for malaria status in addition to inflammation adjustments.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Iron; Vitamin A; Hepcidins; Vitamin A Deficiency; Nutritional Status; Malaria; Ferritins; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Inflammation
PubMed: 35260210
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114522000757 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021IKAROS and CTLA4 deficiencies are inborn errors of immunity and show similar clinical phenotypes, including hypogammaglobulinemia and autoimmune diseases (ADs). However,...
IKAROS and CTLA4 deficiencies are inborn errors of immunity and show similar clinical phenotypes, including hypogammaglobulinemia and autoimmune diseases (ADs). However, the differences in clinical features and pathogenesis of these are not fully understood. Therefore, we performed systematic literature reviews for IKAROS and CTLA4 deficiencies. The reviews suggested that patients with IKAROS deficiency develop AD earlier than hypogammaglobulinemia. However, no study assessed the detailed changes in clinical manifestations over time; this was likely due to the cross-sectional nature of the studies. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective longitudinal study on IKAROS and CTLA4 deficiencies in our cohort to evaluate the clinical course over time. In patients with IKAROS deficiency, AD and hypogammaglobulinemia often develop in that order, and AD often resolves before the onset of hypogammaglobulinemia; these observations were not found in patients with CTLA4 deficiency. Understanding this difference in the clinical course helps in the clinical management of both. Furthermore, our results suggest B- and T-cell-mediated ADs in patients with IKAROS and CTLA4 deficiencies, respectively.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; CTLA-4 Antigen; Humans; Ikaros Transcription Factor; Longitudinal Studies; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35087518
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.784901 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2021Medulloblastoma is a common fatal pediatric brain tumor. More treatment options are required to prolong survival and decrease disability. mTOR proteins play an essential... (Review)
Review
Medulloblastoma is a common fatal pediatric brain tumor. More treatment options are required to prolong survival and decrease disability. mTOR proteins play an essential role in the disease pathogenesis, and are an essential target for therapy. Three generations of mTOR inhibitors have been developed and are clinically used for immunosuppression and chemotherapy for multiple cancers. Only a few mTOR inhibitors have been investigated for the treatment of medulloblastoma and other pediatric tumors. The first-generation mTOR, sirolimus, temsirolimus, and everolimus, went through phase I clinical trials. The second-generation mTOR, AZD8055 and sapanisertib, suppressed medulloblastoma cell growth; however, limited studies have investigated possible resistance pathways. No clinical trials have been found to treat medulloblastoma using third-generation mTOR inhibitors. This systematic review highlights the mechanisms of resistance of mTOR inhibitors in medulloblastoma and includes IDO1, T cells, Mnk2, and eIF4E, as they prolong malignant cell survival. The findings promote the importance of combination therapy in medulloblastoma due to its highly resistant nature.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Child; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 35008889
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010464 -
Nutrients Nov 2021Several observational studies have examined vitamin D pathway polymorphisms and their association with type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility, with inconclusive results.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Several observational studies have examined vitamin D pathway polymorphisms and their association with type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility, with inconclusive results. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing associations between selected variants affecting 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and T1D risk. We conducted a systematic search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science and OpenGWAS updated in April 2021. The following keywords "vitamin D" and/or "single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)" and "T1D" were selected to identify relevant articles. Seven SNPs (or their proxies) in six genes were analysed: rs10741657, (low frequency) rs117913124, rs12785878, rs3755967, rs17216707, rs10745742 and rs8018720. Seven case-control and three cohort studies were eligible for quantitative synthesis ( = 10). Meta-analysis results suggested no association with T1D (range of pooled ORs for all SNPs: 0.97-1.02; > 0.01). Heterogeneity was found in rs12785878 (I: 64.8%, = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis showed exclusion of any single study did not alter the overall pooled effect. No association with T1D was observed among a Caucasian subgroup. In conclusion, the evidence from the meta-analysis indicates a null association between selected variants affecting serum 25(OH)D concentrations and T1D.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amidohydrolases; Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases with Glutamine as Amide-N-Donor; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase; Cohort Studies; Cytochrome P450 Family 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Receptors, Calcitriol; Vesicular Transport Proteins; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D-Binding Protein; Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase; Young Adult
PubMed: 34959812
DOI: 10.3390/nu13124260 -
EMBO Molecular Medicine Dec 2021The cardinal stages of macroautophagy are driven by core autophagy-related (ATG) proteins, whose ablation largely abolishes intracellular turnover. Disrupting ATG genes... (Review)
Review
The cardinal stages of macroautophagy are driven by core autophagy-related (ATG) proteins, whose ablation largely abolishes intracellular turnover. Disrupting ATG genes is paradigmatic of studying autophagy deficiency, yet emerging data suggest that ATG proteins have extensive biological importance beyond autophagic elimination. An important example is ATG7, an essential autophagy effector enzyme that in concert with other ATG proteins, also regulates immunity, cell death and protein secretion, and independently regulates the cell cycle and apoptosis. Recently, a direct association between ATG7 dysfunction and disease was established in patients with biallelic ATG7 variants and childhood-onset neuropathology. Moreover, a prodigious body of evidence supports a role for ATG7 in protecting against complex disease states in model organisms, although how dysfunctional ATG7 contributes to manifestation of these diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration and infection, in humans remains unclear. Here, we systematically review the biological functions of ATG7, discussing the impact of its impairment on signalling pathways and human pathology. Future studies illuminating the molecular relationship between ATG7 dysfunction and disease will expedite therapies for disorders involving ATG7 deficiency and/or impaired autophagy.
Topics: Apoptosis; Autophagy; Autophagy-Related Protein 7; Child; Humans; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34725936
DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114824 -
Nutrients Sep 2021An association between vitamin D level and muscle-related traits has been frequently reported. Vitamin D level is dependent on various factors such as sunlight exposure...
An association between vitamin D level and muscle-related traits has been frequently reported. Vitamin D level is dependent on various factors such as sunlight exposure and nutrition. But also on genetic factors. We, therefore, hypothesize that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the vitamin D pathway-related genes could contribute to muscle mass and function via an impact on vitamin D level. However, the integration of studies investigating these issues is still missing. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically identify and summarize the available evidence on the association between SNPs within vitamin D pathway-related genes and vitamin D status as well as various muscle traits in healthy adults. The review has been registered on PROSPERO and was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. In total, 77 studies investigating 497 SNPs in 13 different genes were included, with significant associations being reported for 59 different SNPs. Variations in GC, CYP2R1, VDR, and CYP24A1 genes were reported most frequently, whereby especially SNPs in the GC (rs2282679, rs4588, rs1155563, rs7041) and CYP2R1 genes (rs10741657, rs10766197, rs2060793) were confirmed to be associated with vitamin D level in more than 50% of the respective studies. Various muscle traits have been investigated only in relation to four different vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (rs7975232, rs2228570, rs1544410, and rs731236). Interestingly, all of them showed only very low confirmation rates (6-17% of the studies). In conclusion, this systematic review presents one of the most comprehensive updates of the association of SNPs in vitamin D pathway-related genes with vitamin D status and muscle traits in healthy adults. It might be used for selecting candidate SNPs for further studies, but also for personalized strategies in identifying individuals at risk for vitamin D deficiency and eventually for determining a potential response to vitamin D supplementation.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cytochrome P450 Family 2; Cytochrome P450 Family 27; Female; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscles; Nutritional Status; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Receptors, Calcitriol; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D-Binding Protein; Young Adult
PubMed: 34578986
DOI: 10.3390/nu13093109 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Primary immune regulatory disorders (PIRD) are associated with autoimmunity, autoinflammation and/or dysregulation of lymphocyte homeostasis. Autoimmune... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Primary immune regulatory disorders (PIRD) are associated with autoimmunity, autoinflammation and/or dysregulation of lymphocyte homeostasis. Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a PIRD due to an apoptotic defect in Fas-FasL pathway and characterized by benign and chronic lymphoproliferation, autoimmunity and increased risk of lymphoma. Clinical manifestations and typical laboratory biomarkers of ALPS have also been found in patients with a gene defect out of the Fas-FasL pathway (ALPS-like disorders). Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA), we identified more than 600 patients suffering from 24 distinct genetic defects described in the literature with an autoimmune lymphoproliferative phenotype (ALPS-like syndromes) corresponding to phenocopies of primary immunodeficiency (PID) (), susceptibility to EBV (), antibody deficiency ( gain of function (GOF) loss of function (LOF) GOF), regulatory T-cells defects ( GOF), combined immunodeficiencies (), defects in intrinsic and innate immunity and predisposition to infection ( GOF, ) and autoimmunity/autoinflammation (). CTLA4 and LRBA patients correspond around to 50% of total ALPS-like cases. However, only 100% of CTLA4, PRKCD, TET2 and NRAS/KRAS reported patients had an ALPS-like presentation, while the autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation combination resulted rare in other genetic defects. Recurrent infections, skin lesions, enteropathy and malignancy are the most common clinical manifestations. Some approaches available for the immunological study and identification of ALPS-like patients through flow cytometry and ALPS biomarkers are provided in this work. Protein expression assays for NKG2D, XIAP, SAP, CTLA4 and LRBA deficiencies and functional studies of AKT, STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, are showed as useful tests. Patients suspected to suffer from one of these disorders require rapid and correct diagnosis allowing initiation of tailored specific therapeutic strategies and monitoring thereby improving the prognosis and their quality of life.
Topics: Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome; Early Diagnosis; Humans; Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
PubMed: 34447369
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671755 -
International Journal of Clinical... Nov 2021Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the increased severity of numerous viral infections.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the increased severity of numerous viral infections.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether vitamin D supplementation is safe and effective for the treatment of COVID-19.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, LILACS and LOVE for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published up to 2 March evaluating the effects of vitamin D for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Two authors selected the studies and analysed the data evidence following Cochrane Recommendations.
RESULTS
We included three RCTs with a total of 385 participants. We found low certainty evidence indicating that hospitalised patients under calcifediol plus standard care (SC) treatment seem to present a significantly lower risk of being admitted to ICU but no difference in mortality. We found low to very low certainty evidence that the improvement in fibrinogen levels is slightly greater in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 that used cholecalciferol plus SC than in those treated with placebo plus SC (mean difference), and the patients who used cholecalciferol plus SC achieved more SARS-CoV-2 negativity, but not on d-dimer, c-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin compared with the patients in the placebo plus SC group. We also found low to moderate certainty evidence that a single high dose of vitamin D does not seem to be effective for reducing mortality, length of hospital stay, ICU admissions and d-dimer or CRP levels when used in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
CONCLUSIONS
As a practical implication, the use of vitamin D associated with SC seems to provide some benefit to patients with COVID-19. However, the evidence is currently insufficient to support the routine use of vitamin D for the management of COVID-19, as its effectiveness seems to depend on the dosage, on the baseline vitamin D levels, and on the degree of COVID-19 severity.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins
PubMed: 34310814
DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14649 -
Journal of Sport and Health Science May 2023The aim of this study was to review, systematically, evidence concerning the link between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the rates and severity of non-contact injuries... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to review, systematically, evidence concerning the link between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the rates and severity of non-contact injuries and exercise-induced muscle damage in athletes and individuals enrolled in exercise training programs.
METHODS
A computerized literature search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus, from inception until November 2020. All included studies compared the epidemiological characteristics of non-contact injury between the different genotypes of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism.
RESULTS
Our search identified 492 records. After the screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 13 studies examining the association between the ACTN3 genotypes and the rate and severity of non-contact injury were included in the analysis. These studies were performed in 6 different countries (Spain, Japan, Brazil, China, the Republic of Korea, and Italy) and involved a total participant pool of 1093 participants. Of the studies, 2 studies involved only women, 5 studies involved only men, and 6 studies involved both men and women. All the studies included were classified as high-quality studies (≥6 points in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale score). Overall, evidence suggests there is an association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and non-contact injury in 12 investigations. Six studies observed a significant association between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and exercise induced muscle damage: 2 with non-contact ankle injury, 3 with non-contact muscle injury, and 1 with overall non-contact injury.
CONCLUSION
The present findings support the premise that possessing the ACTN3 XX genotype may predispose athletes to a higher probability of some non-contact injuries, such as muscle injury, ankle sprains, and higher levels of exercise-induced muscle damage.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Genotype; Polymorphism, Genetic; Exercise; Spain; Athletes; Actinin
PubMed: 34284153
DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2021.07.003 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Jul 2021LCAT (lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase) deficiency is characterized by two distinct phenotypes, familial LCAT deficiency (FLD) and Fish Eye disease (FED). This is...
BACKGROUND
LCAT (lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase) deficiency is characterized by two distinct phenotypes, familial LCAT deficiency (FLD) and Fish Eye disease (FED). This is the first systematic review evaluating the ethnic distribution of LCAT deficiency, with particular emphasis on Latin America and the discussion of three Mexican-Mestizo probands.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis) Statement in Pubmed and SciELO. Articles which described subjects with LCAT deficiency syndromes and an assessment of the ethnic group to which the subject pertained, were included.
RESULTS
The systematic review revealed 215 cases (154 FLD, 41 FED and 20 unclassified) pertaining to 33 ethnic/racial groups. There was no association between genetic alteration and ethnicity. The mean age of diagnosis was 42 ± 16.5 years, with fish eye disease identified later than familial LCAT deficiency (55 ± 13.8 vs. 41 ± 14.7 years respectively). The prevalence of premature coronary heart disease was significantly greater in FED vs. FLD. In Latin America, 48 cases of LCAT deficiency have been published from six countries (Argentina (1 unclassified), Brazil (38 FLD), Chile (1 FLD), Columbia (1 FLD), Ecuador (1 FLD) and Mexico (4 FLD, 1 FED and 1 unclassified). Of the Mexican probands, one showed a novel LCAT mutation.
CONCLUSIONS
The systematic review shows that LCAT deficiency syndromes are clinically and genetically heterogeneous. No association was confirmed between ethnicity and LCAT mutation. There was a significantly greater risk of premature coronary artery disease in fish eye disease compared to familial LCAT deficiency. In FLD, the emphasis should be in preventing both cardiovascular disease and the progression of renal disease, while in FED, cardiovascular risk management should be the priority. The LCAT mutations discussed in this article are the only ones reported in the Mexican- Amerindian population.
Topics: Ethnicity; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Indians, North American; Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase Deficiency; Mexico; Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase; Racial Groups
PubMed: 34256778
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-021-01498-6