-
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Wound healing is an intricate process involving coordinated interactions among inflammatory cells, skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Successful... (Review)
Review
Wound healing is an intricate process involving coordinated interactions among inflammatory cells, skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Successful tissue repair hinges on controlled inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling facilitated by the exchange of cytokines and growth factors. Comorbid conditions can disrupt this process, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing wound healing, utilizing cells from diverse sources such as endothelial progenitor cells, bone marrow, adipose tissue, dermal, and inducible pluripotent stem cells. In this systematic review, we comprehensively investigated stem cell therapies in chronic wounds, summarizing the clinical, translational, and primary literature. A systematic search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library yielded 22,454 articles, reduced to 44 studies after rigorous screening. Notably, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) emerged as an optimal choice due to their abundant supply, easy isolation, ex vivo proliferative capacities, and pro-angiogenic factor secretion. AD-MSCs have shown efficacy in various conditions, including peripheral arterial disease, diabetic wounds, hypertensive ulcers, bullous diabeticorum, venous ulcers, and post-Mohs micrographic surgery wounds. Delivery methods varied, encompassing topical application, scaffold incorporation, combination with plasma-rich proteins, and atelocollagen administration. Integration with local wound care practices resulted in reduced pain, shorter healing times, and improved cosmesis. Stem cell transplantation represents a potential therapeutic avenue, as transplanted stem cells not only differentiate into diverse skin cell types but also release essential cytokines and growth factors, fostering increased angiogenesis. This approach holds promise for intractable wounds, particularly chronic lower-leg wounds, and as a post-Mohs micrographic surgery intervention for healing defects through secondary intention. The potential reduction in healthcare costs and enhancement of patient quality of life further underscore the attractiveness of stem cell applications in wound care. This systematic review explores the clinical utilization of stem cells and stem cell products, providing valuable insights into their role as ancillary methods in treating chronic wounds.
Topics: Humans; Endothelial Cells; Quality of Life; Wound Healing; Pluripotent Stem Cells; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Cytokines; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 38474251
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053006 -
Hepatology Communications Oct 2023Graft-versus-host disease following liver transplantation is a serious and usually fatal complication. Data identifying the risk factors and specifying the diagnosis and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Graft-versus-host disease following liver transplantation is a serious and usually fatal complication. Data identifying the risk factors and specifying the diagnosis and treatment options of the disease are scarce and contentious. Moreover, recommendations for therapeutic approaches are similarly sparse.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature from 1988 to 2020 on graft-versus-host disease following liver transplantation was performed using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases. Medical subject headings, such as graft-versus-host disease and GvHD were used in combination with solid organ transplant, transplantation, or liver transplant. Following duplicate removal, 9298 articles were screened for suitability. A total of 238 full-text articles were analyzed for eligibility, resulting in 130 eligible articles for meta-analysis. Two hundred twenty-five patients developing graft-versus-host disease following liver transplantation reported herein were mainly published in case reports and case series.
RESULTS
Graft-versus-host disease occurred with an incidence of 1.2%. 85% developed following deceased donor liver transplant and 15% following living-related donor liver transplantation. The median follow-up period following liver transplantation was 84 days (interquartile range, 45-180). The median time from liver transplantation to graft-versus-host disease onset was 30 days (interquartile range, 21-42). The main clinical features included skin rash (59%), fever (43%), diarrhea (36%), and pancytopenia (30%). The overall mortality rate was 71%. Neither univariate (HR = 0.999; 95% CI, 0.493-2.023; p = 1.0) nor multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between adaptation of immunosuppression and survival probability (HR = 1.475; 95% CI, 0.659-3.303; p = 0.3).
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review suggests that an increase in immunosuppressive regimen does not yield any survival benefit in patients suffering from graft-versus-host disease following liver transplantation.
Topics: Humans; Liver Transplantation; Living Donors; Graft vs Host Disease; Immunosuppressive Agents; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37755878
DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000260 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2022A significant part of adult-onset asthma is caused by occupational exposure to both high- and low-molecular-mass agents. Insects are occasionally described to cause... (Review)
Review
A significant part of adult-onset asthma is caused by occupational exposure to both high- and low-molecular-mass agents. Insects are occasionally described to cause occupational allergy in professions including anglers and fishers, laboratory workers, employees of aquaculture companies, farmers, bakers, sericulture workers and pet shop workers. Occupational insect allergies are often respiratory, causing asthma or rhinoconjunctivitis, but can be cutaneous as well. The European Union recently approved three insect species for human consumption, enabling an industry to develop where more employees could be exposed to insect products. This review overviews knowledge on occupational insect allergy risks and the tools used to diagnose employees. Despite the limited availability of commercial occupational insect allergy diagnostics, 60.9% of 164 included reports used skin prick tests and 63.4% of reports used specific IgE tests. In 21.9% of reports, a more elaborate diagnosis of occupational asthma was made by specific inhalation challenges or peak expiratory flow measurements at the workplace. In some work environments, 57% of employees were sensitized, and no less than 60% of employees reported work-related symptoms. Further development and optimization of specific diagnostics, together with strong primary prevention, may be vital to the health conditions of workers in the developing insect industry.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Asthma; Allergens; Occupational Exposure; Skin; Skin Tests
PubMed: 36613529
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010086 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022, a rare, highly virulent filamentous fungus with high rates of intrinsic resistance to antifungals, has been associated with different types of infections in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
, a rare, highly virulent filamentous fungus with high rates of intrinsic resistance to antifungals, has been associated with different types of infections in immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically address all relevant evidence regarding disseminated infections in the literature.
METHODS
We searched Medline via PubMed and Scopus databases through July 2022. We performed a qualitative synthesis of published articles reporting disseminated infections from in humans.
RESULTS
A total of 87 studies describing 142 cases were included in our systematic review. The pathogen was most frequently reported in disseminated infections in Spain (n = 47), Australia (n = 33), the USA (n = 21), and Germany (n = 10). Among 142 reported cases, 48.5% were males. Underlying conditions identified for the majority of patients included malignancy (72.5%), hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (23.2%), solid organ transplantation (16%), and AIDS (2%). Lungs, central nervous system, skin, eyes, heart and bones/joints were the most commonly affected organs. Neutropenia was recorded in 52% of patients. The mortality rate was as high as 87.3%.
CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review conducted on disseminated infections due to this rare microorganism. Physicians should be aware that can cause a diversity of infections with high mortality and primarily affects immunocompromised and neutropenic patients.
PubMed: 36678415
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010067 -
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Jun 2022Male-specific late effects after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) include genital chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction,...
Male-Specific Late Effects in Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients: A Systematic Review from the Late Effects and Quality of Life Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and Transplant Complications Working Party of the European Society...
Male-specific late effects after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) include genital chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and subsequent malignancies, such as prostate, penile, and testicular cancer. These effects may be closely intertwined and cause prolonged morbidity and decreased quality of life after HCT. Here we provide a systematic review of male-specific late effects in a collaboration among transplantation physicians, endocrinologists, urologists, dermatologists, and sexual health professionals through the Late Effects and Quality of Life Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and the Transplant Complications Working Party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. We used a systematic review methodology to summarize incidence, risk factors, screening, prevention, and treatment of these complications and provide consensus evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice and future research. Most of the evidence regarding male GVHD is still based on limited data, precluding strong therapeutic recommendations. Therefore, we recommend systematic screening for male genital GVHD regularly and reporting of cases to large registries to allow for a better understanding. Future research also should address treatment, given the little published evidence currently available. Male-specific endocrine consequences of HCT include hypogonadism, which also may affect bone health. Given the scanty evidence, current recommendations for hormone substitution and/or bone health treatment are based on similar principles as for the general population. Following HCT, sexual health decreases, and this topic should be addressed at regular intervals. Future studies should focus on interventional strategies to address sexual dysfunction. Infertility remains prevalent in patients having undergone myeloablative conditioning, warranting the offer of sperm preservation for all HCT candidates. Most studies on fertility rely on descriptive registry analysis and surveys, underscoring the importance of reporting post-HCT conception data to large registries. Although the quality of evidence is low, the development of cancer in male genital organs does not seem more prevalent in HCT recipients compared with the general population; however, subsequent malignancies in general seem to be more prevalent in males than in females, and special attention should be given to skin and oral mucosa. Male-specific late effects, which likely are more underreported than female-specific complications, should be systematically considered during the regular follow-up visits of male survivors who have undergone HCT. Care of patients with male-specific late effects warrants close collaboration between transplantation physicians and specialists from other involved disciplines. Future research should be directed toward better data collection on male-specific late effects and on studies about the interrelationships among these late effects, to allow the development of evidence-based effective management practices.
Topics: Adult; Bone Marrow; Female; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Hypogonadism; Infertility; Male; Quality of Life; Testicular Neoplasms
PubMed: 34757220
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2021.10.013 -
Head & Neck Jan 2023It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the role of the serratus anterior free flap (SAFF) with its long thoracic nerve (LTN) as composite flap for dynamic facial... (Review)
Review
It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the role of the serratus anterior free flap (SAFF) with its long thoracic nerve (LTN) as composite flap for dynamic facial reanimation. A total of 10 studies, published between 2004 and 2021, met inclusion criteria. Clinical data of 48 patients were used for the systematic review and analysis. One to three slips were used, mainly as one-stage procedures (n = 39; 81.3%), to create different force vectors. Single or double innervated muscle transfers were utilized in 32 (66.7%) and 16 (33.3%) cases with additionally harvested skin paddles in 4 (8.3%) patients. The LTN was mostly anastomosed to the ipsilateral masseteric nerve (45.8%; n = 22) or to remaining facial nerve branches (37.5%; n = 18), while cross-facial-nerve-grafting was rarely used (16.7%; n = 8). The SAFF as composite flap with different force vectors proved to be a good candidate for immediate dynamic facial reanimation after any midface defects.
Topics: Humans; Free Tissue Flaps; Facial Nerve; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Nerve Transfer; Face; Facial Paralysis
PubMed: 36263461
DOI: 10.1002/hed.27219 -
Cell and Tissue Banking Dec 2016The use of skin allografts to temporarily replace lost or damaged skin is practiced worldwide. Naturally occurring contamination can be present on skin or can be... (Review)
Review
The use of skin allografts to temporarily replace lost or damaged skin is practiced worldwide. Naturally occurring contamination can be present on skin or can be introduced at recovery or during processing. This contamination can pose a threat to allograft recipients. Bacterial culture and disinfection of allografts are mandated, but the specific practices and methodologies are not dictated by standards. A systematic review of literature from three databases found 12 research articles that evaluated bioburden reduction processes of skin grafts. The use of broad spectrum antibiotics and antifungal agents was the most frequently identified disinfection method reported demonstrating reductions in contamination rates. It was determined that the greatest reduction in the skin allograft contamination rates utilized 0.1 % peracetic acid or 25 kGy of gamma irradiation at lower temperatures.
Topics: Allografts; Cell Culture Techniques; Disinfection; Humans; Skin; Skin Transplantation; Sterilization; Tissue Banks; Transplantation, Homologous
PubMed: 27522193
DOI: 10.1007/s10561-016-9569-2 -
International Wound Journal Dec 2017Autologous skin grafting is an important method for wound coverage; however, it is an invasive procedure and can cause donor site morbidity. Epidermal grafting (EG)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Autologous skin grafting is an important method for wound coverage; however, it is an invasive procedure and can cause donor site morbidity. Epidermal grafting (EG) enables epidermal transfer to wounds with minimal donor site morbidity. However, data to date have been heterogeneous. This study aims to synthesise the current evidence on EG for wound healing to establish the efficacy of this surgical technique. A comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases was conducted. The endpoints assessed were proportion of wounds healed and mean wound-healing time. This systematic review was conducted and reported according to the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. We identified 1568 articles, of which seven articles were included in this review - a total of 209 wounds in 190 patients. The mean wound duration was 17·06 weeks (95% CI 8·57-25·55). Of these, 71·5% (95% CI 56·7-84·2) of the wounds achieved complete healing. Mean time for complete wound healing was 5·53 weeks (95% CI 3·18-7·88). The mean donor site healing time was 7·48 days (95% CI 4·83-10·13), with no reported donor site morbidity. The current data are small and lack level 1 evidence.
Topics: Epidermis; Humans; Skin Transplantation; Transplantation, Autologous; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 28198101
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.12729 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2017Haematopoetic autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has emerged as a treatment option for patients with refractory, severe autoimmune disease. This is a systematic... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Haematopoetic autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has emerged as a treatment option for patients with refractory, severe autoimmune disease. This is a systematic review of the current literature on ASCT in adult patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
METHODS
Original articles published between 2005 and 2016 that evaluated the use of ASCT in patients with SSc were reviewed with respect to the primary outcomes of overall and transplant related mortality (TRM) rates, and secondary outcomes of changes in modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), forced vital capacity (FVC), progression/event free survival (P/EFS) and quality of life measures. We also focussed on patient characteristics, the ASCT conditioning and mobilisation regimens used, and their relationship to patient outcome in each study.
RESULTS
Of the 155 articles found, only 9 articles were suitable for review. There were 2 placebo-controlled trials (RCTs), ASTIS and ASSIST, and 7 observational and cohort studies. In general, patients undergoing ASCT had diffuse SSc with mRSS >14, and interstitial lung disease. The 2 RCTs showed a benefit in P/EFS (80-81%), FVC and quality of life measures in ASCT compared to monthly cyclophosphamide. All the studies showed an improvement in mRSS. TRM rates varied among studies, from 0 to 23%, with a trend to higher mortality rates in studies using higher doses of cyclophosphamide or myeloablative conditioning regimens.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that ASCT is beneficial in some patients with SSc and that patient selection and conditioning regimens are critical determinants of prognosis and mortality post-ASCT.
Topics: Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Patient Selection; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Scleroderma, Systemic; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Autologous; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 28869416
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Surgery... Feb 2018To compare the clinical outcomes of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) versus conventional therapy on split-thickness skin after grafting surgery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical outcomes of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) versus conventional therapy on split-thickness skin after grafting surgery.
DESIGN
Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used in reconstruction of large skin defects. Conventional therapy causes pain during dressing changing. NPWT is an alternative method to cover the wound bed.
METHODS
The Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies for articles published between 1993 and April 2017 comparing NPWT to conventional wound therapy for split-thickness skin grafts. The rate of graft take was the primary outcome of this meta-analysis. Wound infection and reoperation rate of the wound were secondary outcomes. Data analysis was conducted using the Review Manager 5.3 software.
RESULTS
Five cohort studies and seven RCTs including 653 patients were eligible for inclusion. Patients treated with NPWT had a significantly higher rate of graft take compared to those treated with conventional therapy [MD = 7.02, (95% CI 3.74, 10.31)] (P = .00). NPWT was associated with a reduction in reoperation [RR = 0.28, (95% CI 0.14, 0.55)] (P = .00). The reduction in wound infection was not significant [RR = 0.63, (95% CI 0.31, 1.27)] (P = .20).
CONCLUSION
Compared with conventional therapy, NPWT significantly increases the rate of graft take and reduces the rate of reoperation when applied to cover the wound bed with split-thickness skin graft. No significant impact on wound infection was found in this study.
Topics: Graft Survival; Humans; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; Reoperation; Skin; Skin Transplantation; Surgical Wound Infection; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 29292216
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.12.020