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Journal of Personalized Medicine Dec 2023Mental disorders that are comorbid with chronic infectious diseases may worsen clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. We hypothesized that depression and/or... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mental disorders that are comorbid with chronic infectious diseases may worsen clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. We hypothesized that depression and/or anxiety syndromes or symptoms comorbid with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection might stem from shared biological mechanisms.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review applying the PRISMA statement by searching into the PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus databases. We examined the literature on HIV/HBV infection comorbid with depression and/or anxiety in adults ≥18 years.
RESULTS
Thirty-one studies on HIV and three on HBV were analyzed. The Tat protein contributed to HIV-associated mood disorders due to the protein's ability to cause neurodegeneration and induce hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in response to natural stressors. The decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels also emerged as a mechanism involved in HIV neuropathogenesis and the associated mood symptoms. Neuroinflammation was implicated in depression and/or anxiety onset in patients with HIV/HBV infections. Microglial activation and release of cytokines, in particular, appeared as potential pathogenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, an altered balance between quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid production emerged in HIV patients with comorbid depression, indicating a glutamatergic dysfunction. Inflammatory cytokine production and the downregulation of cellular immune responses contributed to persisting inflammation, delayed healing, and functional decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. A shift in type 1-type 2 cytokine balance might be implicated in HBV-related immune pathogenesis, and depression and anxiety might be considered immunomodulatory factors. Cytokines also caused HPA axis hyperactivity, frequently observed in HIV/HBV patients with comorbid depression/anxiety.
CONCLUSIONS
The present systematic review showed, for the first time, that HIV/HBV and depression and/or anxiety might have several biological mechanisms as common denominators. The longitudinal course of the highlighted biological mechanisms should be explored to establish the causative interrelationship among the involved mechanisms. In addition, future research should investigate the possibility that a patient's clinical outcome might improve using pharmacological treatments acting on the biological mechanisms we described as common denominators of chronic inflammatory infective diseases and depression/anxiety.
PubMed: 38138916
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121689 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Active-duty military personnel are subjected to sustained periods of energy deficit during combat and training, leaving them susceptible to detrimental reductions in... (Review)
Review
Active-duty military personnel are subjected to sustained periods of energy deficit during combat and training, leaving them susceptible to detrimental reductions in body weight. The importance of adequate dietary protein intake during periods of intense physical training is well established, where previous research has primarily focused on muscle protein synthesis, muscle recovery, and physical performance. Research on how protein intake may influence body weight regulation in this population is lacking; therefore, the objective of this review was to evaluate the role of dietary protein in body weight regulation among active-duty military during an energy deficit. A literature search based on fixed inclusion and exclusion criteria was performed. English language peer-reviewed journal articles from inception to 3 June 2023 were selected for extraction and quality assessment. Eight studies were identified with outcomes described narratively. The study duration ranged from eight days to six months. Protein was directly provided to participants in all studies except for one. Three studies supplied additional protein via supplementation. The Downs and Black Checklist was used to assess study quality. Five studies were classified as good, two as fair, and one as excellent. All studies reported mean weight loss following energy deficit: the most severe was 4.0 kg. Protein dose during energy deficit varied from 0.5 g/kg/day to 2.4 g/kg/day. Six studies reported mean reductions in fat mass, with the largest being 4.5 kg. Four studies reported mean reductions in fat-free mass, while two studies reported an increase. Results support the recommendation that greater than 0.8 g/kg/day is necessary to mitigate the impact of energy deficit on a decline in lean body mass, while intakes up to 1.6 g/kg/day may be preferred. However, exact recommendations cannot be inferred as the severity and duration of energy deficit varied across studies. Longer and larger investigations are needed to elucidate protein's role during energy deficit in active-duty military.
Topics: Humans; Energy Intake; Military Personnel; Dietary Proteins; Exercise; Body Weight
PubMed: 37764730
DOI: 10.3390/nu15183948 -
Research and Practice in Thrombosis and... Aug 2023Various inherited traits contribute to the overall risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In addition, the epidemiology of thrombophilia in the East-Asian VTE population...
BACKGROUND
Various inherited traits contribute to the overall risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In addition, the epidemiology of thrombophilia in the East-Asian VTE population remains unclear; thus, we aimed to assess the proportion of hereditary thrombophilia via a meta-analysis.
METHODS
Publications from PubMed, EMBASE, web of science, and Cochrane before December 30, 2022, were searched. Studies from Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia were included. Congenital thrombophilia was described as diseases including protein C (PC) deficiency, protein S (PS) deficiency, antithrombin (AT) deficiency, factor (F)V Leiden (FVL), and prothrombin G20210A mutations. Studies were selected by 2 reviewers for methodological quality analysis. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis, assuming that estimated effects in the different studies are not identical.
RESULTS
Forty-four studies involving 6453 patients from 7 counties/regions were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of PC, PS, and AT deficiencies were 7.1%, 8.3%, and 3.8%, respectively. Among 2924 patients from 22 studies, 5 patients were carriers of FVL mutation. Among 2196 patients from 10 studies, 2 patients were carriers of prothrombin G20210A mutation in a Thailand study.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of PC, PS, and AT deficiencies was relatively high, while a much lower prevalence of FVL and prothrombin G20210A mutations were identified in East-Asian patients with VTE. Our data stress the relative higher prevalence of PC, PS, and AT deficiencies for thrombophilia in the East-Asian VTE population.
PubMed: 37674867
DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.102157 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Through a process termed , platelets cause thrombi to shrink and become more stable. After platelets are activated via inside-out signaling, glycoprotein αIIbβIII...
Through a process termed , platelets cause thrombi to shrink and become more stable. After platelets are activated via inside-out signaling, glycoprotein αIIbβIII binds to fibrinogen and initiates a cascade of intracellular signaling that ends in actin remodeling, which causes the platelet to change its shape. Clot retraction is also important for wound healing. Although the detailed molecular biology of clot retraction is only partially understood, various substances and physiological conditions modulate clot retraction. In this review, we describe some of the current literature pertaining to clot retraction modulators. In addition, we discuss compounds from , , and that diminish clot retraction and have numerous other health benefits. Caffeic acid and diindolylmethane, both common in plants and vegetables, likewise reduce clot retraction, as do all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A derivative), two MAP4K inhibitors, and the chemotherapeutic drug Dasatinib. Conversely, the endogenous anticoagulant Protein S (PS) and the matricellular protein secreted modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC1) both enhance clot retraction. Most studies aiming to identify mechanisms of clot retraction modulators have focused on the increased phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor I and the decreased phosphorylation of various phospholipases (e.g., phospholipase A2 (PLA) and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ), c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and (PI3Ks). One study focused on the decreased phosphorylation of Sarcoma Family Kinases (SFK), and others have focused on increased cAMP levels and the downregulation of inflammatory markers such as thromboxanes, including thromboxane A2 (TXA) and thromboxane B2 (TXB); prostaglandin A2 (PGE2); reactive oxygen species (ROS); and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme activity. Additionally, pregnancy, fibrinolysis, and the autoimmune condition systemic lupus erythematosus all seem to affect, or at least have some relation with, clot retraction. All the clot retraction modulators need in-depth study to explain these effects.
Topics: Blood Platelets; Clot Retraction; Phosphorylation; Platelet Aggregation; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 37445780
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310602 -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Oct 2023Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can develop multiple complications and even be life-threatening. The aim of this study is to summarize... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can develop multiple complications and even be life-threatening. The aim of this study is to summarize current evidence of C-reactive protein's (CRP) predictive value for disease severity and survival of COVID-19 patients, focusing on curing patients and reducing the risk of death. We systematically searched related studies from four large databases: Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database, all published between December 2019 and June 2021. Then, we implemented meta-analysis using random-effects models through STATA 15.1 and Review Manager 5.3. We also implemented sensitivity analysis and used funnel plots to check publication bias. From the systematic search of the four databases, we were able to identify 18 studies containing a total of 3052 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that 1) CRP levels were lower in non-severe patients than in severe patients (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = - 0.87 mg/L, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = [ - 1.27, - 0.47], p < 0.001); 2) CRP levels were lower in non-intensive care unit (ICU) patients than in ICU patients (SMD = - 1.39 mg/L, 95% CI = [- 1.68, - 1.11], p < 0.001), and 3) CRP levels were lower in survivors than in non-survivors (SMD =- 1.32 mg/L, 95% CI = [- 1.95, - 0.69], p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed these results were stable. Funnel plots indicated no publication bias. The CRP level may timely reflect disease severity and predict survival of COVID-19 patients and may be worthy of further popularization and application in clinic practice.
Topics: Humans; C-Reactive Protein; COVID-19; Patient Acuity
PubMed: 36418669
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00948-4 -
Caries Research 2022Salivary proteins play an important role in repairing mechanisms of damaged tissues and the maintenance of oral health. However, there is a dearth of information in the...
Salivary proteins play an important role in repairing mechanisms of damaged tissues and the maintenance of oral health. However, there is a dearth of information in the literature regarding the concentrations of salivary proteins in caries-free (CF) and caries-active (CA) subjects. Hence, this systematic review was conducted to update our previous systematic review published in 2013 that aimed to assess the association between caries and salivary proteins by comparing CF and CA individuals. Thereby, evaluating the possibility of whether salivary proteins can be regarded as biomarkers for caries. An extensive search of studies was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, and Elsevier's Scopus between July 2012 and January 2022, without any language restriction. Manual searching in Google Scholar and evaluation of bibliographies of the included studies were also undertaken. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias (RoB) within the included studies. Of 22 included studies, 1,551 human subjects (range: 30-213 participants) were recruited, of which 848 individuals (54.7%) were CA and 703 (45.3%) were CF. Regarding the utilization of DMFT as the caries index, high variability was observed across different articles. A statistically significant increase in the salivary levels of alpha-amylase, acidic proline-rich protein-1, histatin-5, lactoperoxidase, and mucin-1 was found in CA patients, while the salivary levels of carbonic anhydrase 6, proteinase-3, and statherin were observed to be significantly increased in CF subjects. Conflicting results were found regarding the salivary levels of immunoglobulin A and total proteins among CA and CF subjects. The included studies were categorized as low RoB (n = 15), medium RoB (n = 4), and high RoB (n = 3). Due to significant heterogeneity among the included studies, no meta-analysis could be performed. In conclusion, the salivary levels of protein(s) might be a useful biomarker for caries diagnosis, especially alpha-amylase, acidic proline-rich protein-1, histatin-5, lactoperoxidase, mucin-1, carbonic anhydrase 6, proteinase-3, and statherin. However, their diagnostic value must be verified by large-scale prospective studies.
Topics: Humans; Mucin-1; Dental Caries; Histatins; Lactoperoxidase; Prospective Studies; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Biomarkers; Proline; alpha-Amylases; Peptide Hydrolases
PubMed: 36116431
DOI: 10.1159/000526942 -
Turkish Neurosurgery 2022To evaluate all serum biomarkers in sports-related concussion injury (SRC) to determine diagnostic validity, changes with symptom severity, and return to play, as well...
AIM
To evaluate all serum biomarkers in sports-related concussion injury (SRC) to determine diagnostic validity, changes with symptom severity, and return to play, as well as detect early changes in serum concentration.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Studies were searched in various electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane databases) from their commencement to May 2021. Studies were included if athletes aged 12 years and older were diagnosed with a concussion injury and evaluated using serum biomarkers. Studies including athletes with injuries other than concussion injuries were excluded. Articles with fewer than 20 concussed athletes were excluded. There were 1782 articles identified.
RESULTS
After exclusion a total of 17 articles qualified for systematic review. S100 calcium binding protein ? (S-100?) and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) showed promising results in distinguishing concussed athletes from contact sports and non-athlete controls. Most of the serum biomarkers increased within 6 hours of SRC. Serum neurofilament light protein (NFL) positively correlated with the severity of post-concussion symptoms. NFL, tau and Interleukins (IL-1 Ra and IL-6) have the potential to determine return to play.
CONCLUSION
Serum biomarker measurement is an objective tool that aids in early diagnosis and predicts the severity and prognosis of injury.
Topics: Athletic Injuries; Biomarkers; Brain Concussion; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Humans; Hydrolases; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-6; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14; Ubiquitins
PubMed: 35929029
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.35745-21.3 -
Journal of Cellular and Molecular... Feb 2022Fracture non-union represents a common complication, seen in 5%-10% of all acute fractures. Despite the enhancement in scientific understanding and treatment methods,... (Review)
Review
Fracture non-union represents a common complication, seen in 5%-10% of all acute fractures. Despite the enhancement in scientific understanding and treatment methods, rates of fracture non-union remain largely unchanged over the years. This systematic review investigates the biological, molecular and genetic profiles of both (i) non-union tissue and (ii) non-union-related tissues, and the genetic predisposition to fracture non-union. This is crucially important as it could facilitate earlier identification and targeted treatment of high-risk patients, along with improving our understanding on pathophysiology of fracture non-union. Since this is an update on our previous systematic review, we searched the literature indexed in PubMed Medline; Ovid Medline; Embase; Scopus; Google Scholar; and the Cochrane Library using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) or Title/Abstract words (non-union(s), non-union(s), human, tissue, bone morphogenic protein(s) (BMPs) and MSCs) from August 2014 (date of our previous publication) to 2 October 2021 for non-union tissue studies, whereas no date restrictions imposed on non-union-related tissue studies. Inclusion criteria of this systematic review are human studies investigating the characteristics and properties of non-union tissue and non-union-related tissues, available in full-text English language. Limitations of this systematic review are exclusion of animal studies, the heterogeneity in the definition of non-union and timing of tissue harvest seen in the included studies, and the search term MSC which may result in the exclusion of studies using historical terms such as 'osteoprogenitors' and 'skeletal stem cells'. A total of 24 studies (non-union tissue: n = 10; non-union-related tissues: n = 14) met the inclusion criteria. Soft tissue interposition, bony sclerosis of fracture ends and complete obliteration of medullary canal are commonest macroscopic appearances of non-unions. Non-union tissue colour and surrounding fluid are two important characteristics that could be used clinically to distinguish between septic and aseptic non-unions. Atrophic non-unions had a predominance of endochondral bone formation and lower cellular density, when compared against hypertrophic non-unions. Vascular tissues were present in both atrophic and hypertrophic non-unions, with no difference in vessel density between the two. Studies have found non-union tissue to contain biologically active MSCs with potential for osteoblastic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Proliferative capacity of non-union tissue MSCs was comparable to that of bone marrow MSCs. Rates of cell senescence of non-union tissue remain inconclusive and require further investigation. There was a lower BMP expression in non-union site and absent in the extracellular matrix, with no difference observed between atrophic and hypertrophic non-unions. The reduced BMP-7 gene expression and elevated levels of its inhibitors (Chordin, Noggin and Gremlin) could potentially explain impaired bone healing observed in non-union MSCs. Expression of Dkk-1 in osteogenic medium was higher in non-union MSCs. Numerous genetic polymorphisms associated with fracture non-union have been identified, with some involving the BMP and MMP pathways. Further research is required on determining the sensitivity and specificity of molecular and genetic profiling of relevant tissues as a potential screening biomarker for fracture non-unions.
Topics: Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Fracture Healing; Fractures, Bone; Fractures, Ununited; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Osteogenesis
PubMed: 34984803
DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17096 -
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience 2021Women are more affected by stroke than men. This might, in part, be explained by sex differences in stroke pathophysiology. The hemostasis system is influenced by sex... (Review)
Review
Women are more affected by stroke than men. This might, in part, be explained by sex differences in stroke pathophysiology. The hemostasis system is influenced by sex hormones and associated with female risk factors for stroke, such as migraine. To systematically review possible sex differences in hemostatic related factors in patients with ischemic stroke in general, and the influence of migraine on these factors in women with ischemic stroke. We included 24 studies with data on sex differences of hemostatic factors in 7247 patients with ischemic stroke (mean age 57-72 years, 27-57% women) and 25 hemostatic related factors. Levels of several factors were higher in women compared with men; FVII:C (116% ± 30% vs. 104% ± 30%), FXI (0.14 UI/mL higher in women), PAI-1 (125.35 ± 49.37 vs. 96.67 ± 38.90 ng/mL), D-dimer (1.25 ± 0.31 vs. 0.95 ± 0.24 μg/mL), and aPS (18.7% vs. 12.0% positive). In contrast, protein-S (86.2% ± 23.0% vs. 104.7% ± 19.8% antigen) and P-selectin (48.9 ± 14.4 vs. 79.1 ± 66.7 pg/mL) were higher in men. Most factors were investigated in single studies, at different time points after stroke, and in different stroke subtypes. Only one small study reported data on migraine and hemostatic factors in women with ischemic stroke. No differences in fibrinogen, D-dimer, t-PA, and PAI-1 levels were found between women with and without migraine. Our systematic review suggests that sex differences exist in the activation of the hemostatic system in ischemic stroke. Women seem to lean more toward increased levels of procoagulant factors whereas men exhibit increased levels of coagulation inhibitors. To obtain better insight in sex-related differences in hemostatic factors, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings with special attention for different stroke phases, stroke subtypes, and not in the least women specific risk factors, such as migraine.
PubMed: 34858141
DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.711604 -
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford,... Jan 2022Patients with cancer are considered a priority group for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination given their high risk of contracting... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Immunogenicity and risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Patients with cancer are considered a priority group for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination given their high risk of contracting severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, limited data exist regarding the efficacy of immunisation in this population. In this study, we assess the immunologic response after COVID-19 vaccination of cancer versus non-cancer population.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science databases were searched from 01st March 2020 through 12th August 12 2021. Primary end-points were anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroconversion rates, T-cell response, and documented SARS-CoV-2 infection after COVID-19 immunisation. Data were extracted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Overall effects were pooled using random-effects models.
RESULTS
This systematic review and meta-analysis included 35 original studies. Overall, 51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41-62) and 73% (95% CI, 64-81) of patients with cancer developed anti-S IgG above the threshold level after partial and complete immunisation, respectively. Patients with haematologic malignancies had a significantly lower seroconversion rate than those with solid tumours after complete immunisation (65% vs 94%; P < 0.0001). Compared with non-cancer controls, oncological patients were less likely to attain seroconversion after incomplete (risk ratio [RR] 0.45 [95% CI 0.35-0.58]) and complete (RR 0.69 [95% CI 0.56-0.84]) COVID-19 immunisation schemes. Patients with cancer had a higher likelihood of having a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection after partial (RR 3.21; 95% CI 0.35-29.04) and complete (RR 2.04; 95% CI 0.38-11.10) immunisation.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with cancer have an impaired immune response to COVID-19 vaccination compared with controls. Strategies that endorse the completion of vaccination schemes are warranted. Future studies should aim to evaluate different approaches that enhance oncological patients' immune response.
Topics: Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Neoplasms; SARS-CoV-2; Seroconversion; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; T-Lymphocytes; Vaccination; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 34794855
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.10.014