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Frontiers in Physiology 2024This systematic review investigates the interplay between oxytocin and exercise; in terms of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, pro-regenerative, and cardioprotective...
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review investigates the interplay between oxytocin and exercise; in terms of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, pro-regenerative, and cardioprotective effects. Furthermore, by analyzing measurement methods, we aim to improve measurement validity and reliability.
METHODS
Utilizing PRISMA, GRADE, and MECIR protocols, we examined five databases with a modified SPIDER search. Including studies on healthy participants, published within the last 20 years, based on keywords "oxytocin," "exercise" and "measurement," 690 studies were retrieved initially (455 unique records). After excluding studies of clinically identifiable diseases, and unpublished and reproduction-focused studies, 175 studies qualified for the narrative cross-thematic and structural analysis.
RESULTS
The analysis resulted in five categories showing the reciprocal impact of oxytocin and exercise: Exercise (50), Physiology (63), Environment (27), Social Context (65), and Stress (49). Exercise-induced oxytocin could promote tissue regeneration, with 32 studies showing its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, while 14 studies discussed memory and cognition. Furthermore, empathy-associated rs53576 polymorphism might influence team sports performance. Since dietary habits and substance abuse can impact oxytocin secretion too, combining self-report tests and repeated salivary measurements may help achieve precision.
DISCUSSION
Oxytocin's effect on fear extinction and social cognition might generate strategies for mental training, and technical, and tactical development in sports. Exercise-induced oxytocin can affect the amount of stress experienced by athletes, and their response to it. However, oxytocin levels could depend on the type of sport in means of contact level, exercise intensity, and duration. The influence of oxytocin on athletes' performance and recovery could have been exploited due to its short half-life. Examining oxytocin's complex interactions with exercise paves the way for future research and application in sports science, psychology, and medical disciplines.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=512184, identifier CRD42024512184.
PubMed: 38915776
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1393497 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Osteoking (OK) is prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine to accelerate fracture healing. Although some studies suggest the potential efficacy of OK for fracture...
BACKGROUND
Osteoking (OK) is prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine to accelerate fracture healing. Although some studies suggest the potential efficacy of OK for fracture healing, the evidence remains inconclusive.
AIM
To systematically evaluate the safety of OK and its effect on fracture healing.
METHODS
Relevant authoritative databases were searched until 25 August 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with fractures treated with Osteoking were included. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane tool and performed a meta-analysis using the Review Manager 5.4 software package.
RESULTS
13 studies involving 1123 participants were included. This meta-analysis showed that compared with observations in the control group, the OK group showed a shortened fracture healing time, increased fracture healing rate, reduced swelling regression time and ecchymosis regression time, and improved bone metabolism. In addition, the included studies did not report any serious side effects associated with the use of OK, and the mild side effects resolved without treatment.
CONCLUSION
OK therapy is beneficial and safe for accelerating fracture healing, reducing swelling, eliminating ecchymosis, and improving bone metabolism. However, the meta-analysis results do not support OK treatment for improving the fracture healing rate at all fracture sites and reducing pain across all fracture sites. Further original, high-quality studies are needed to validate these findings.
UNLABELLED
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=452430, identifier CRD42023452430.
PubMed: 38915474
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1363421 -
Insights Into Imaging Jun 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the stroke detection performance of artificial intelligence (AI) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the stroke detection performance of artificial intelligence (AI) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and additionally to identify reporting insufficiencies.
METHODS
PRISMA guidelines were followed. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, and IEEE Xplore were searched for studies utilising MRI and AI for stroke detection. The protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021289748). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were the primary outcomes. Only studies using MRI in adults were included. The intervention was AI for stroke detection with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in separate categories. Any manual labelling was used as a comparator. A modified QUADAS-2 tool was used for bias assessment. The minimum information about clinical artificial intelligence modelling (MI-CLAIM) checklist was used to assess reporting insufficiencies. Meta-analyses were performed for sensitivity, specificity, and hierarchical summary ROC (HSROC) on low risk of bias studies.
RESULTS
Thirty-three studies were eligible for inclusion. Fifteen studies had a low risk of bias. Low-risk studies were better for reporting MI-CLAIM items. Only one study examined a CE-approved AI algorithm. Forest plots revealed detection sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 93% with identical performance in the HSROC analysis and positive and negative likelihood ratios of 12.6 and 0.079.
CONCLUSION
Current AI technology can detect ischaemic stroke in MRI. There is a need for further validation of haemorrhagic detection. The clinical usability of AI stroke detection in MRI is yet to be investigated.
CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
This first meta-analysis concludes that AI, utilising diffusion-weighted MRI sequences, can accurately aid the detection of ischaemic brain lesions and its clinical utility is ready to be uncovered in clinical trials.
KEY POINTS
There is a growing interest in AI solutions for detection aid. The performance is unknown for MRI stroke assessment. AI detection sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 93% for ischaemic lesions. There is limited evidence for the detection of patients with haemorrhagic lesions. AI can accurately detect patients with ischaemic stroke in MRI.
PubMed: 38913106
DOI: 10.1186/s13244-024-01723-7 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024The prognostic relevance of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in gastric cancer (GC) patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment remains...
OBJECTIVES
The prognostic relevance of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in gastric cancer (GC) patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the prognostic impact of PLR in this specific patient cohort.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and EMBASE databases, including literature published up to September 2023, to investigate the prognostic implications of PLR in patients with gastric cancer undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Outcome measures encompassed overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rates (DCR).
RESULTS
Nine studies from seven articles comprising 948 eligible patients were selected. The results revealed a significant correlation between elevated PLR and poorer OS and progression-free survival (PFS) (OS: HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.39-2.00, p < 0.001; PFS: HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.29-1.76, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses were performed to validate the robustness of the results. Moreover, a meta-analysis of four studies investigating the correlation between the PLR in gastric cancer (GC) patients and the objective response rate/disease control rate (ORR/DCR), showed no significant association between the PLR and ORR/DCR (ORR: RR = 1.01, p = 0.960; DCR: RR = 0.96, p = 0.319).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis indicates that elevated PLR in GC patients undergoing ICI treatment is significantly linked to worse OS and PFS. Therefore, PLR can serve as a prognostic indicator of post-treatment outcomes in patients with GC receiving ICIs. Further prospective studies are required to assess the reliability of these findings.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY2023120103.
PubMed: 38912061
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1367990 -
New Microbes and New Infections 2024Avian influenza A H5N1 is a significant global public health threat. Although relevant, systematic reviews about its prevalence in animals are lacking. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Avian influenza A H5N1 is a significant global public health threat. Although relevant, systematic reviews about its prevalence in animals are lacking.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review in bibliographic databases to assess the prevalence of H5N1 in animals. A meta-analysis with a random-effects model was performed to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95 % confidence intervals (95%CI). In addition, measures of heterogeneity (Cochran's Q statistic and I test) were reported.
RESULTS
The literature search yielded 1359 articles, of which 33 studies were fully valid for analysis, including 96,909 animals. The pooled prevalence for H5N1 in birds (n = 90,045, 24 studies) was 5.0 % (95%CI: 4.0-6.0 %; I = 99.21); in pigs (n = 3,178, 4 studies) was 1.0 % (95%CI: 0.0-1.0 %); in cats (n = 2,911, 4 studies) was 0.0 % (95%CI: 0.0-1.0 %); and in dogs (n = 479, 3 studies) was 0.0 % (95%CI: 0.0-2.0 %).
CONCLUSIONS
While the occurrence of H5N1 in animals might be comparatively limited compared to other influenza viruses, its impact on public health can be substantial when it transmits to humans. This virus can potentially induce severe illness and has been linked to previous outbreaks. Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor and comprehend the factors influencing the prevalence of H5N1 in both avian and human populations to develop effective disease control and prevention strategies.
PubMed: 38911488
DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101439 -
Current Status and Role of Artificial Intelligence in Anorectal Diseases and Pelvic Floor Disorders.JSLS : Journal of the Society of... 2024Anorectal diseases and pelvic floor disorders are prevalent among the general population. Patients may present with overlapping symptoms, delaying diagnosis, and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anorectal diseases and pelvic floor disorders are prevalent among the general population. Patients may present with overlapping symptoms, delaying diagnosis, and lowering quality of life. Treating physicians encounter numerous challenges attributed to the complex nature of pelvic anatomy, limitations of diagnostic techniques, and lack of available resources. This article is an overview of the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) in tackling the difficulties of managing benign anorectal disorders and pelvic floor disorders.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed database to identify all potentially relevant studies published from January 2000 to August 2023. Search queries were built using the following terms: AI, machine learning, deep learning, benign anorectal disease, pelvic floor disorder, fecal incontinence, obstructive defecation, anal fistula, rectal prolapse, and anorectal manometry. Malignant anorectal articles and abstracts were excluded. Data from selected articles were analyzed.
RESULTS
139 articles were found, 15 of which met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most common AI module was convolutional neural network. researchers were able to develop AI modules to optimize imaging studies for pelvis, fistula, and abscess anatomy, facilitated anorectal manometry interpretation, and improved high-definition anoscope use. None of the modules were validated in an external cohort.
CONCLUSION
There is potential for AI to enhance the management of pelvic floor and benign anorectal diseases. Ongoing research necessitates the use of multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration between physicians and AI programmers to tackle pressing challenges.
Topics: Humans; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Artificial Intelligence; Rectal Diseases; Anus Diseases; Manometry; Fecal Incontinence
PubMed: 38910957
DOI: 10.4293/JSLS.2024.00007 -
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical... 2024Endometriosis presents a significant challenge in gynecological endocrinology, affecting approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Abdominal wall endometriosis... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis presents a significant challenge in gynecological endocrinology, affecting approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) and rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) pose unique clinical complexities. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has emerged as a novel alternative for treating these conditions, offering a noninvasive option with potential therapeutic benefits.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to investigate the safety and efficacy of HIFU therapy for AWE and rectosigmoid DIE. The literature search encompassed databases from inception to January 20, 2024. Eligible studies included observational studies, case reports, and clinical trials evaluating HIFU treatment for endometriosis. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed following established protocols.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included, comprising 330 patients with AWE and 28 patients with rectosigmoid DIE. HIFU treatment demonstrated significant efficacy, with many patients experiencing complete remission, and clinical effectiveness. Reductions in lesion volume posttreatment were consistent across studies. However, safety concerns were noted, including pain at the treatment site, hematuria, and skin burns. Adverse effects underscored the importance of careful patient selection and monitoring during HIFU therapy.
CONCLUSION
HIFU therapy shows promise as a noninvasive approach for managing AWE and rectosigmoid DIE. While efficacy outcomes are encouraging, safety considerations warrant attention. Further research, particularly randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, is needed to validate findings and optimize treatment protocols.
PubMed: 38910796
DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2024.2352290 -
Cureus May 2024Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's immune response to infection becomes unregulated, causing organ dysfunction and a heightened risk of... (Review)
Review
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's immune response to infection becomes unregulated, causing organ dysfunction and a heightened risk of mortality. Despite increased awareness campaigns, its prevalence escalates, annually afflicting over 1.7 million adults in the United States. This research explores the potential of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in septic shock management, aiming to highlight its capacity to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, our comprehensive search across 51,534 studies, using keywords such as plasmapheresis, plasma exchange therapy, therapeutic plasma exchange, septic shock, and reduction in mortality integrated with medical subject headings terms, led to the meticulous selection of six pivotal studies. Through rigorous evaluation with tools such as the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and Assessment of Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews, we extracted strong evidence supporting TPE's significant impact on decreasing mortality in septic shock patients compared to standard care, as demonstrated in three randomized controlled trials and one cohort study, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.43 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-0.72). Additionally, two meta-analyses further validate TPE's effectiveness, showing a mortality reduction with an OR of 0.30 (95% CI = 0.20-0.46). This advantage also extends to critically ill COVID-19 patients, underscoring TPE's crucial role in modulating the coagulation cascade, decreasing sepsis-related complications, and reducing the risk of bleeding and organ failure. Nevertheless, the benefits of TPE must be carefully balanced against potential risks such as hypocalcemia, hypotension, and citrate toxicity, especially in patients with underlying renal or liver issues, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making. While TPE emerges as a promising therapy, its formal integration into standard care protocols awaits further confirmation, highlighting the critical need for more in-depth research to conclusively determine its efficacy and safety in septic shock management.
PubMed: 38910774
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60947 -
Cell Transplantation 2024Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one of the hopeful treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI). Most current studies are in animals, and less in humans,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one of the hopeful treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI). Most current studies are in animals, and less in humans, and the optimal transplantation strategy for MSCs is still controversial. In this article, we explore the optimal transplantation strategy of MSCs through a network meta-analysis of the effects of MSCs on SCI in animal models. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) databases were searched by computer for randomized controlled studies on MSCs for SCI. Two investigators independently completed the literature screening and data extraction based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RevMan 5.4 software was used to assess the quality of the included literature. Stata 16.0 software was used for standard meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used for continuous variables to combine the statistics and calculate 95% confidence interval (95% CI). < 0.05 was considered a statistically significant difference. Cochrane's test and the value were used to indicate the magnitude of heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used if > 50% and < 0.10 indicated significant heterogeneity between studies, and conversely, a fixed-effects model was used. Evidence network diagrams were drawn based on direct comparisons between various interventions. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve area (SUCRA) was used to predict the ranking of the treatment effects of each intervention. A total of 32 animal studies were included in this article for analysis. The results of the standard meta-analysis showed that MSCs improved motor ability after SCI. The network meta-analysis showed that the best treatment effect was achieved for adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADMSCs) in terms of cell source and intrathecal (IT) in terms of transplantation modality. For transplantation timing, the best treatment effect was achieved when transplantation was performed in the subacute phase. The available literature suggests that IT transplantation using ADMSCs in the subacute phase may be the best transplantation strategy to improve functional impairment after SCI. Future high-quality studies are still needed to further validate the results of this study to ensure the reliability of the results.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Rats; Disease Models, Animal; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Network Meta-Analysis; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 38910431
DOI: 10.1177/09636897241262992 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Jun 2024Protocols surrounding opioid reduction have become commonplace in plastic surgery to improve peri-operative outcomes. Within such protocols, opioid requirement is a... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Protocols surrounding opioid reduction have become commonplace in plastic surgery to improve peri-operative outcomes. Within such protocols, opioid requirement is a frequently analyzed outcome. Though often examined, there is no literature standard conversion for morphine milligram equivalents (MME) at present, leading to questionable external validity. We hypothesized significant heterogeneity in MME reporting would exist within plastic surgery literature.
METHODS
Following the PRISMA guidelines, the authors conducted a systematic review of 16 journals. Clinical studies focused on opioid reduction within plastic surgery were identified. Primary outcomes included reporting of morphine equivalents (ME) delivery (IV/oral), operative ME, inpatient ME, outpatient ME, timeline, and method of calculation.
RESULTS
Among the 101 studies analyzed, 73% reported opioid requirements in the form of ME. Among those that used ME, 3% reported IV ME, 41% reported oral, 32% reported both, and 25% gave no indication of either. Operative ME were reported in 19% of studies. Furthermore, 54% of studies reported inpatient ME whereas 32% of studies reported outpatient ME. Only 19% reported the number of days opioids were consumed postoperatively. Moreover, 27% of the studies reported the actual method of ME conversion, with 17 unique methods described. Only 8 studies (8%) reported using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for ME conversion.
CONCLUSION
There is significant variability among the reported ME conversion methodology within plastic surgery literature. Highlighting these discrepancies is an essential step in creating and implementing a single, standard method to mitigate opioid morbidity in plastic surgery and to optimize enhanced recovery protocols.
PubMed: 38909598
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.06.001