Association of serum omentin levels with microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aims: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition associated with various microvascular complications, including neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between serum omentin levels and the risk of developing microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. However, the existing evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between serum omentin levels and microvascular complications in T2DM patients. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to retrieve relevant articles published up to May 2023. Observational studies investigating omentin levels association with microvascular complications in T2DM patients were included. Data was extracted and hence analyzed. Results: A total of seven cross-sectional articles met the inclusion criteria, with a total population of 1587 participants. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between serum omentin levels and microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. Serum omentin levels were lower in patients with microvascular complications than in those without complications (Mean difference, 95% confidence interval: -1.31 [-2.50, -0.13], I2 = 99.62%). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence supporting an association between serum omentin levels and microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. The findings suggest that Omentin may be lower in T2DM patients with microvascular complications. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the clinical implications of these findings. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01359-2.

Associations of variability in body mass index with cardiovascular outcomes in the general population: A systematic review.

In today's world, high variability of body mass index (BMI) is known as a significant global health problem that can lead to many negative impacts on the cardiovascular system, including atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary heart disease. The current systematic review aims to elucidate the effect of variability in BMI on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Four databases, including PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL, were searched. All related articles up to 10 June 2022, were obtained. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were reviewed. After screening abstracts and full texts, four articles were included in our study. In these four cohort studies, 7,038,873 participants from the USA and South Korea were involved. These articles generally considered the BMI and outcomes including cardiovascular disease, AF, and coronary heart disease. All these articles reported an association between the variability of BMI and increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Due to the negative impact of the high variability of BMI on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes, health policymakers and practitioners should pay more attention to the significant role of BMI in health problems and physicians might better check the variability of BMI visits to visit.

Insights into the interplay between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS): A state-of-the-art review and implications for vaccine development.

Background and Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS results from an inflammatory process leading to the loss of neural tissue and increased disability over time. The role of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), as one of the most common global viruses, in MS development has been the subject of several studies. However, many related questions are still unanswered. This study aimed to review the connection between MS and EBV and provide a quick outline of MS prevention using EBV vaccination. Methods: For this narrative review, an extensive literature search using specific terms was conducted across online databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to identify pertinent studies. Results: Several studies proved that almost 100% of people with MS showed a history of EBV infection, and there was an association between high titers of EBV antibodies and an increased risk of MS development. Various hypotheses are proposed for how EBV may contribute to MS directly and indirectly: (1) Molecular Mimicry, (2) Mistaken Self, (3) Bystander Damage, and (4) Autoreactive B cells infected with EBV. Conclusion: Given the infectious nature of EBV and its ability to elude the immune system, EBV emerges as a strong candidate for being the underlying cause of MS. The development of an EBV vaccine holds promise for preventing MS; however, overcoming the challenge of creating a safe and efficacious vaccine presents a significant obstacle.

A five-day-old child with lipid hemihypertrophy: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Lipid hemihypertrophy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal asymmetry. Early recognition and further evaluation for associated disorders are important for appropriate management and surveillance of potential complications. Abstract: We present the case of a 5-day-old female neonate who presented with a visibly enlarged right thigh, right labia majora, and below the right mandible. This case report highlights the importance of early identification, comprehensive evaluation, and multidisciplinary management in neonates with lipid hemihypertrophy to optimize their long-term outcomes and quality of life.

Shedding light on the side effects of immunotherapies used for leukemia: an updated review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Leukemia is an abnormal clonal development of leukemic cells originating from the bone marrow, which is widely known for its significant prevalence and mortality rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and combination therapies have been its routine therapeutic methods; however, the advent of cancer immunotherapy is known as revolutionary for its higher efficacy and lesser toxicity. AREAS COVERED: Immunotherapy boosts the body's immune system by using components from other living organisms. Although immunotherapy seems to be safer than chemotherapy, many studies have noticed different immune-related side effects in various body systems (e.g. cardiovascular, neurologic) which we have reviewed in this investigation as the main goal. We tried to describe immunotherapy-related side effects in human body systems in detail. EXPERT OPINION: Being aware of these side effects leads to better clinical decision-making for each individual, and a one-step-ahead management in case of occurrence. We also briefly discussed the role of immunotherapy in treating leukemia as one of the most prevalent cancers in children and tried to emphasize that it is crucial to monitor adverse events as they may remain obscure until adolescence.

Advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, augmented and virtual reality in neurosurgery.

Neurosurgical practitioners undergo extensive and prolonged training to acquire diverse technical proficiencies, while neurosurgical procedures necessitate a substantial amount of pre-, post-, and intraoperative clinical data acquisition, making decisions, attention, and convalescence. The past decade witnessed an appreciable escalation in the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in neurosurgery. AI holds significant potential in neurosurgery as it supplements the abilities of neurosurgeons to offer optimal interventional and non-interventional care to patients by improving prognostic and diagnostic outcomes in clinical therapy and assisting neurosurgeons in making decisions while surgical interventions to enhance patient outcomes. Other technologies including augmented reality, robotics, and virtual reality can assist and promote neurosurgical methods as well. Moreover, they play a significant role in generating, processing, as well as storing experimental and clinical data. Also, the usage of these technologies in neurosurgery is able to curtail the number of costs linked with surgical care and extend high-quality health care to a wider populace. This narrative review aims to integrate the results of articles that elucidate the role of the aforementioned technologies in neurosurgery.

Anti-GBM disease with positive serum anti-GBM antibodies but negative IgG deposition: A case report.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies are significantly specific for detecting anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. These antibodies are typically targeted against the non-collagenous (NC1) domain of the alpha 3 chain of type IV collagen and, to a lesser extent, the α4(IV) or α5(IV) chains, which create a triple-helical structure in the glomerular basement membrane. The modification of the hexameric structure of NC1 (α3(IV)) results in the exposure of new epitopes, leading to an immune reaction and the subsequent deposition of linear antibodies along the glomerular basement membrane, culminating in crescentic glomerulonephritis. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies that are positive are believed to be pathogenic and capable of binding to the glomerular basement membrane in vivo, particularly in the context of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Herein, we present a patient with positive serum anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies but negative IgG deposition. The current findings are significant for raising physicians' awareness of the probable errors in detecting anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease as a possible cause of irreversible kidney failure.

Efficacy and safety of rituximab in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to synthesize all available observational studies and clinical trials of rituximab to estimate the safety and efficacy of this monoclonal antibody in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The four databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched in April 2022. We defined PICO as follows. Problem or study population (P): patients with MS; intervention (I): Rituximab; comparison (C): none; outcome (O): efficacy and safety. RESULTS: After two-step screening, a total of 27 studies entered into our qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Our analysis showed a significant decrease in EDSS score in all patients with MS after treatment (SMD: - 0.44, 95% CI - 0.85, - 0.03). In addition, the ARR was reduced after using rituximab compared to the pre-treatment period (SMD: - 0.65, 95% CI - 1.55, 0.24) but it was not significant. The most common side effect after rituximab with a pooled prevalence of 28.63% (95% CI 16.61%, 42.33%). Furthermore, the pooled prevalence of infection was 24% in patients with MS (95% CI 13%, 36%). In the end, the pooled prevalence of malignancies after rituximab treatment was 0.39% (95% CI 0.02%, 1.03%). CONCLUSION: Our findings illustrated an acceptable safety for this treatment. However, further studies with randomized design, long follow-up, and large sample sizes are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of rituximab in patients with MS.

Multiple sclerosis relapse after COVID-19 vaccination: A case report-based systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Concerns about vaccination increased among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) regarding side effects, efficacy, and disease exacerbation. Recently there were reports of MS relapses after the COVID-19 vaccination, which emerged the safety concerns. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review of case reports and case series studies to investigate the MS relapses after COVID-19 vaccination with most details. METHODS: We systematically searched three databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, in February 2022. Case reports and case series which reported relapse after COVID-19 vaccination in MS patients were eligible to include in our study. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in our systematic review after the abstract and full-text screening with a total of 29 cases. The mean duration between COVID-19 vaccination and relapse appearance was 9.48 ± 7.29 days. Among patients, 22 cases experienced relapse after their first dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine, one after the second dose, and five after the booster dose. The type of vaccine was unknown for one patient. The most common symptoms of relapses were sensory deficits (paresthesia, numbness, dysesthesia, and hypoesthesia) and weakness. CONCLUSION: Overall, the COVID-19 vaccination may trigger relapses in some MS patients, but as the infection itself can stimulate relapse, the benefit of vaccination outweighs its risk in this population, and mass vaccination against COVID-19, especially in MS patients, should be continued and encouraged.