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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Feb 2021Childbearing women have been using various herbs to assist with pregnancy, labour and birth for centuries. One of the most common is raspberry leaf. The evidence base...
BACKGROUND
Childbearing women have been using various herbs to assist with pregnancy, labour and birth for centuries. One of the most common is raspberry leaf. The evidence base for the use of raspberry leaf is however under-developed. It is incumbent on midwives and other maternity care providers to provide women with evidence-based information so they can make informed choices. The aim of this study was to review the research literature to identify the evidence base on the biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf in pregnancy.
METHODS
A systematic, integrative review was undertaken. Six databases were searched to identify empirical research papers published in peer reviewed journals including in vitro, in vivo, human and animal studies. The search included the databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection and AMED. Identified studies were appraised independently by two reviewers using the MMAT appraisal instrument. An integrative approach was taken to analysis.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included. Five were laboratory studies using animal and human tissue, two were experiments using animals, and six were human studies. Included studies were published between 1941 and 2016. Raspberry leaf has been shown to have biophysical effects on animal and human smooth muscle including the uterus. Toxity was demonstrated when high doses were administered intravenously or intaperitoneally in animal studies. Human studies have not shown any harm or benefit though one study demonstrated a clinically meaningful (though non-statistically significant) reduction in length of second stage and augmentation of labour in women taking raspberry leaf.
CONCLUSIONS
Many women use raspberry leaf in pregnancy to facilitate labour and birth. The evidence base supporting the use of raspeberry leaf in pregnancy is weak and further research is needed to address the question of raspberry leaf's effectiveness.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Mice; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Rats; Rubus; Uterine Contraction; Uterus
PubMed: 33563275
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03230-4 -
Kidney International Feb 2022Chronic kidney disease (CKD) triggers the risk of developing uremic cardiomyopathy as characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and functional impairment.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) triggers the risk of developing uremic cardiomyopathy as characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and functional impairment. Traditionally, animal studies are used to reveal the underlying pathological mechanism, although variable CKD models, mouse strains and readouts may reveal diverse results. Here, we systematically reviewed 88 studies and performed meta-analyses of 52 to support finding suitable animal models for future experimental studies on pathological kidney-heart crosstalk during uremic cardiomyopathy. We compared different mouse strains and the direct effect of CKD on cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and cardiac function in "single hit" strategies as well as cardiac effects of kidney injury combined with additional cardiovascular risk factors in "multifactorial hit" strategies. In C57BL/6 mice, CKD was associated with a mild increase in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and marginal systolic dysfunction. Studies revealed high variability in results, especially regarding hypertrophy and systolic function. Cardiac hypertrophy in CKD was more consistently observed in 129/Sv mice, which express two instead of one renin gene and more consistently develop increased blood pressure upon CKD induction. Overall, "multifactorial hit" models more consistently induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis compared to "single hit" kidney injury models. Thus, genetic factors and additional cardiovascular risk factors can "prime" for susceptibility to organ damage, with increased blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and early cardiac fibrosis more consistently observed in 129/Sv compared to C57BL/6 strains.
Topics: Animals; Cardiomyopathies; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrosis; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 34774555
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.10.025 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022To review of the efficacy and safety of pravastatin use for prophylaxis and treatment of preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To review of the efficacy and safety of pravastatin use for prophylaxis and treatment of preeclampsia.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies evaluating pravastatin for treatment and/or prophylaxis of preeclampsia.
DATA COLLECTION
Two independent reviewers systematically searched data from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and clinicaltrials.gov databases, for studies evaluating pravastatin for prevention of pre-eclampsia.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were identified, including 1,570 pregnant women who received either pravastatin or placebo, published between 2003 and 2022. From these studies, 5 studies were identified for inclusion in the meta-analysis to evaluate the role of pravastatin use prior to 20 weeks of gestation, to prevent pre-eclampsia, Pravastatin treatment reduced the incidence of preeclampsia by 61% and premature birth by 45%. Among the newborns, there was a 45% reduction in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in the treated group, as well as a 77% reduction in those receiving neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.
CONCLUSION
Prophylactic treatment with pravastatin appears to reduce risk of developing pre-eclampsia as well as potentially lowering risk of IUGR, preterm birth, and NICU admission in neonates.
PubMed: 36714131
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1076372 -
EMBO Molecular Medicine Dec 2022Spontaneous bleeds are a leading cause of death in the pediatric JAG1-related liver disease Alagille syndrome (ALGS). We asked whether there are sex differences in...
Spontaneous bleeds are a leading cause of death in the pediatric JAG1-related liver disease Alagille syndrome (ALGS). We asked whether there are sex differences in bleeding events in patients, whether Jag1 mice display bleeds or vascular defects, and whether discovered vascular pathology can be confirmed in patients non-invasively. We performed a systematic review of patients with ALGS and vascular events following PRISMA guidelines, in the context of patient sex, and found significantly more girls than boys reported with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. We investigated vascular development, homeostasis, and bleeding in Jag1 mice, using retina as a model. Jag1 mice displayed sporadic brain bleeds, a thin skull, tortuous blood vessels, sparse arterial smooth muscle cell coverage in multiple organs, which could be aggravated by hypertension, and sex-specific venous defects. Importantly, we demonstrated that retinographs from patients display similar characteristics with significantly increased vascular tortuosity. In conclusion, there are clinically important sex differences in vascular disease in ALGS, and retinography allows non-invasive vascular analysis in patients. Finally, Jag1 mice represent a new model for vascular compromise in ALGS.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Mice; Alagille Syndrome; Sex Characteristics; Retina; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36345711
DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202215809 -
One Health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Jun 2022Coronaviruses have been responsible for major epidemic crises in 2003 with SARS-CoV-1, in 2012 with MERS-CoV and in 2019 with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), causing serious... (Review)
Review
Coronaviruses have been responsible for major epidemic crises in 2003 with SARS-CoV-1, in 2012 with MERS-CoV and in 2019 with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), causing serious atypical pneumonia in humans. We intend, with this systematic analysis and meta-analysis, to clarify the prevalence of the various strains of coronavirus in different animal species. For this purpose, we carried out an electronic survey using Pubmed's Veterinary Science search tool to conduct a systematic assessment of published studies reporting the prevalence of different strains of coronavirus in different animal species between 2015 and 2020. We conducted different analysis to assess sensitivity, publication bias, and heterogeneity, using random effect. The final meta-analysis included 42 studies for systematic review and 29 in the meta-analysis. For the geographic regions with a prevalence greater than or equal to 0.20 (Forest plot overall; prevalence = 0.20, < 0.01, Q = 10,476.22 and I2 = 100%), the most commonly detected viruses were: enteric coronavirus (ECoV), pigeon-dominant coronavirus, (PdCoV), Avian coronavirus M41, Avian coronavirus C46, Avian coronavirus A99, Avian coronavirus JMK, MERS-CoV, Bovine coronavirus, Ro-BatCoV GCCDC1, Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Deltacoronavirus, Gamacoronavirus and human coronaviruses (HCoVs). The wide presence of different strains of coronavirus in different animal species on all continents demonstrates the great biodiversity and ubiquity of these viruses. The most recent epidemiological crises caused by coronavirus demonstrates our unpreparedness to anticipate and mitigate emerging risks, as well as the need to implement new epidemiological surveillance programs for viruses. Combined with the need to create advanced training courses in One Health, this is paramount in order to ensure greater effectiveness in fighting the next pandemics.
PubMed: 35399617
DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100383 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022Vascular malformations are frequent in the head and neck region, affecting the nervous system. The wide range of therapeutic approaches demand the correct anatomical,... (Review)
Review
Vascular malformations are frequent in the head and neck region, affecting the nervous system. The wide range of therapeutic approaches demand the correct anatomical, morphological, and functional characterization of these lesions supported by imaging. Using a systematic search protocol in PubMed, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Redalyc, and SciELO, the authors extracted clinical studies, review articles, book chapters, and case reports that provided information about vascular cerebral malformations, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 385,614 articles were grouped; using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, three of the authors independently selected 51 articles about five vascular cerebral malformations: venous malformation, brain capillary telangiectasia, brain cavernous angiomas, arteriovenous malformation, and leptomeningeal angiomatosis as part of Sturge-Weber syndrome. We described the next topics-"definition", "etiology", "pathophysiology", and "treatment"-with a focus on the relationship with the imaging approach. We concluded that the correct anatomical, morphological, and functional characterization of cerebral vascular malformations by means of various imaging studies is highly relevant in determining the therapeutic approach, and that new lines of therapeutic approaches continue to depend on the imaging evaluation of these lesions.
PubMed: 36013378
DOI: 10.3390/life12081199 -
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Jun 2017Scuba diving is a popular recreational and professional activity with inherent risks. Complications related to barotrauma and decompression illness can pose significant... (Review)
Review
Scuba diving is a popular recreational and professional activity with inherent risks. Complications related to barotrauma and decompression illness can pose significant morbidity to a diver's hearing and balance systems. The majority of dive-related injuries affect the head and neck, particularly the outer, middle and inner ear. Given the high incidence of otologic complications from diving, an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of otic pathology is a necessity. We performed a systematic and comprehensive literature review including the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of otologic pathology related to diving. This included inner, middle, and outer ear anatomic subsites, as well as facial nerve complications, mal de debarquement syndrome, sea sickness and fitness to dive recommendations following otologic surgery. Sixty-two papers on diving and otologic pathology were included in the final analysis. We created a set of succinct evidence-based recommendations on each topic that should inform clinical decisions by otolaryngologists, dive medicine specialists and primary care providers when faced with diving-related patient pathology.
Topics: Barotrauma; Biophysical Phenomena; Decompression Sickness; Diving; Ear Diseases; Ear, Inner; Ear, Middle; Exostoses; Humans; Otitis Externa; Postural Balance; Sensation Disorders; Vertigo
PubMed: 28641322
DOI: 10.28920/dhm47.2.97-109 -
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice... Mar 2024Previous systematic reviews have reported on the relationship between eating disorders (EDs) and birth outcomes, but there are no existing meta-analyses on this topic.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Previous systematic reviews have reported on the relationship between eating disorders (EDs) and birth outcomes, but there are no existing meta-analyses on this topic. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the association between lifetime maternal EDs, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED) with low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), and miscarriage. Four databases were systematically searched for quantitative literature on maternal EDs that preceded birth outcomes. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The meta-analyses included 6 studies on miscarriage, 11 on PTB, 4 on LBW, 9 on SGA, and 4 on LGA. The Mantel-Haenszel random effects model was used to test the associations between EDs and birth outcomes. The results showed significant positive associations between AN and LBW (OR 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49, 2.03), AN and SGA (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.17, 1.65), BN and PTB (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04, 1.36), and BED and LGA (OR 1.43 95% CI 1.18, 1.72). EDs were not significantly correlated with miscarriage. These findings reveal the importance of screening for and treating EDs in pregnant women.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Abortion, Spontaneous; Premature Birth; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Small for Gestational Age
PubMed: 38032141
DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2023-019 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2022The use of orthobiologics is gaining increasing interest as a minimally invasive treatment for hip osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the... (Review)
Review
The use of orthobiologics is gaining increasing interest as a minimally invasive treatment for hip osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the evidence about the safety and efficacy of these products. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. The study quality was assessed using the RoB 2.0 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS) for all studies. A total of 20 clinical studies (735 patients) was identified, 12 on PRP injections and eight on cell-based therapies (five from bone marrow, two from adipose tissue, and one from amniotic fluid). The publication trend increased over time, with over 50% of articles published from 2019. The literature analysis showed only six RCTs, all on PRP injections. The mCMS showed an overall fair methodology (mean score 59.4). While the number of studies and their methodology are still limited, the available evidence suggests safety and overall promising results, with the treatment success being inversely proportional to the severity of OA. Further high-level controlled trials are needed before drawing more definitive conclusions on the real potential of orthobiologics for the injective treatment of patients affected by hip OA.
PubMed: 36431138
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226663 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2023Vitiligo is a multifaceted autoimmune depigmenting disorder affecting around 0.5 to 2.0% of individuals globally. Standardizing diagnosis and therapy tracking can be...
UNLABELLED
Vitiligo is a multifaceted autoimmune depigmenting disorder affecting around 0.5 to 2.0% of individuals globally. Standardizing diagnosis and therapy tracking can be arduous, as numerous clinical evaluation methods are subject to interobserver variability and may not be validated. Therefore, there is a need for diagnostic tools that are objective, dependable, and preferably non-invasive.
AIMS
This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the non-invasive objective skin measurement methods that are currently used to evaluate the diagnosis, severity, and progression of vitiligo, as well as the advantages and limitations of each technique.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist was used for the systematic review. Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched for non-invasive imaging and biophysical skin measuring methods to diagnose, evaluate the severity of, or monitor the effects of vitiligo treatment. The risk of bias in included articles was assessed using the QUADAS-2 quality assessment scale.
RESULTS
An extensive literature search resulted in 64 studies for analysis, describing eight imaging techniques (reflectance confocal microscopy, computer-aided imaging analysis, optical coherence tomography, infrared photography, third-harmonic generation microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, ultraviolet light photography, and visible light/digital photograph), and three biophysical approaches (dermoscopy, colorimetry, spectrometry) used in diagnosing and assessing vitiligo. Pertinent information about functionality, mechanisms of action, sensitivity, and specificity was obtained for all studies, and insights into the strengths and limitations of each diagnostic technique were addressed. Methodological study quality was adequate; however, statistical analysis was not achievable because of the variety of methods evaluated and the non-standardized reporting of diagnostic accuracy results.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this systematic review can enhance clinical practice and research by providing a comprehensive overview of the spectrum of non-invasive imaging and biophysical techniques in vitiligo assessment. Studies with larger sample sizes and sound methodology are required to develop verified methods for use in future practice and research.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
(PROSPERO) database, (CRD42023395996).
PubMed: 37575985
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1200963