Diabetes mellitus and risk of incident dementia in APOE ɛ4 carriers: an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diabetes raises the risk of dementia, mortality, and cognitive decline in the elderly, potentially because of hereditary variables such as APOE. In this study, we aim to evaluate Diabetes mellitus and the risk of incident dementia in APOE ɛ4 carriers. METHOD: We thoroughly searched PubMed (Medline), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for related articles up to September 2023. The titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles were reviewed; data were extracted and analyzed. RESULT: This meta-analysis included nine cohorts and seven cross-sectional articles with a total of 42,390 population. The study found that APOE ɛ4 carriers with type 2 diabetes (T2D) had a 48% higher risk of developing dementia compared to non-diabetic carriers (Hazard Ratio;1.48, 95%CI1.36-1.60). The frequency of dementia was 3 in 10 people (frequency: 0.3; 95%CI (0.15-0.48). No significant heterogeneity was observed. Egger's test, which we performed, revealed no indication of publication bias among the included articles (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: Overall, diabetes increases the risk of dementia, but further large-scale studies are still required to support the results of current research.

Lipid variability and risk of microvascular complications in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The current systematic review aimed to elucidate the effects of lipid variability on microvascular complication risk in diabetic patients. The lipid components studied were as follows: High-density lipoprotein (HDL), High-density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), and Remnant Cholesterol (RC). METHOD: We carried out a systematic search in multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS, up to October 2nd, 2023. After omitting the duplicates, we screened the title and abstract of the studies. Next, we retrieved and reviewed the full text of the remaining articles and included the ones that met our inclusion criteria in the study. RESULT: In this research, we examined seven studies, comprising six cohort studies and one cross-sectional study. This research was conducted in Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, Finland, and Italy. The publication years of these articles ranged from 2012 to 2022, and the duration of each study ranged from 5 to 14.3 years. The study group consisted of patients with type 2 diabetes aged between 45 and 84 years, with a diabetes history of 7 to 12 years. These studies have demonstrated that higher levels of LDL, HDL, and TG variability can have adverse effects on microvascular complications, especially nephropathy and neuropathic complications. TG and LDL variability were associated with the development of albuminuria and GFR decline. Additionally, reducing HDL levels showed a protective effect against microalbuminuria. However, other studies did not reveal an apparent relationship between lipid variations and microvascular complications, such as retinopathy. Current research lacks geographic and demographic diversity. Increased HDL, TG, and RC variability have been associated with several microvascular difficulties. Still, the pathogenic mechanism is not entirely known, and understanding how lipid variability affects microvascular disorders may lead to novel treatments. Furthermore, the current body of this research is restricted in its coverage. This field's lack of thorough investigations required a more extensive study and comprehensive effort. CONCLUSION: The relationship between lipid variation (LDL, HDL, and TG) (adverse effects) on microvascular complications, especially nephropathy and neuropathic (and maybe not retinopathy), is proven. Physicians and health policymakers should be highly vigilant to lipid variation in a general population.

Impact of ligation versus repair of isolated popliteal vein injuries on Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism incidence in trauma patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries affecting the veins in the lower extremities have been correlated with both mortality and severe complications. Venous injuries are recognized as a contributing factor to the development of venous thromboembolism, commonly treated through procedures involving either vein ligation or repair. Despite previous efforts, substantial uncertainty remains when it comes to choosing between the execution of ligation versus various reparative techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results of surgically treating traumatic venous injuries through repair compared to ligation, specifically examining the resulting impacts on trauma patients in relation to DVT and PE occurrences. METHOD: A comprehensive search strategy was employed until August 10, 2023, to systematically explore Scopus and PubMed databases. Following the removal of duplicates, two researchers independently assessed the titles and abstracts of the identified studies. Only studies meeting the project's requirements and inclusion criteria, as evaluated through their full texts, were included in our investigation. Our study exclusively focused on original articles, specifically those involving human trauma patients with isolated popliteal vein injuries. Excluded from consideration were review articles, meta-analyses, cellular and molecular research, animal studies, case reports, case series, letters to the editor, posters, duplicates, and publications in languages other than English. The implementation of this systematic review and meta-analysis conformed to the standards delineated in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULT: Conducting a thorough search, the inquiry identified 248 records. The assessment of titles and abstracts led to 51 studies that had the potential for eligibility. After reviewing the full texts of the chosen studies, 4 studies involving 1521 patients constituted the ultimate findings. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the ligation procedure had a higher incidence of pulmonary embolism compared to the repair of vein injuries, while the repair procedure had a higher incidence of deep vein thrombosis than ligation. Additional large-scale randomized controlled trials are still necessary to further support the findings of this meta-analysis.

Predictors of central and general obesity in Iranian preschool children: which anthropometric indices can be used as screening tools?

AIM: To compare the ability of anthropometric indices [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), neck-to-height ratio (NHR), conicity index (CI), body adiposity index (BAI), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and body mass index (BMI)] and,measuerments like neck(NC), hip(HC) and waist circumferences to predict overweight and obesity in Iranian preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 498 Iranian preschool children were included in this case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected using the stratified random sampling procedure based on gender and school. Using sex-based receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, we compared the area under the curve and defined the cut-off points for detecting central and general obesity for each index in order to identify the most suitable tools in predicting obesity. RESULTS: Boys had significantly higher values for NC, WC, WHR, NHR, CI, TMI and BMI as compared to girls, whereas BAI and HC were higher in girls. The area under the curve was calculated for all the possible predictors of central obesity, i.e., NC (0.841-0.860), WC (0.70-0.679), HC (0.785-0.697), WHR (0.446-0.639) and CI (0.773-0.653) in boys and girls, respectively. And according to the ROC curve analysis, BMI (0.959-0.948), TMI (0.988-0.981), WHtR (0.667-0.553) and NHR (0.785-0.769) were predictors of general obesity and NC (0.841-0.860) as predictor of central obesity in boys and girls, respectively. The optimal cut-off points for TMI (13.80-15.83), NC (28.68-27.5) and for other anthropometric indices were estimated in both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: TMI and NC seem to predict general and central obesity in Iranian preschool children.

The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Biofeedback Therapy on the Quality of Life, Anxiety, Depression and Somatic Symptoms in Patients with Dyssynergic Defecation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Dyssynergic defecation (DD) is a major cause of chronic functional constipation. Patients with DD have greater psychological distress and impaired health-related quality of life compared with the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with biofeedback therapy (BFT) on the quality of life, anxiety, depression and physical symptoms in patients with DD. Methods: This randomized controlled trial (IRCT20141115019957N2) was conducted on 45DD patients who were referred to the Rehabilitation Clinic of Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The convenience sampling method was used to select the participants and then they were randomly allocated into three equal groups using RANDBETWEEN function in Excel. The first group received a combination of BFT&CBT and also standard-of-care therapy (SoCT). The second group was treated with BFT and SoCT, and the third group received only SoCT. The patients were assessed by digital rectal examination and the Short Form-36, Spielberger Anxiety, Beck Depression and Constipation Scoring System questionnaires before and after the treatment.The data were analyzed by SPSS-22, ANOVA, ANCOVA and Chi-Square tests. Results: Patients who received both CBT&BFT had significant improvement in symptoms of constipation, depression, and anxiety.Furthermore, BFT and CBT&BFT groups are valued equivalent only on the mental component of SF36 and the total SF36 questionnaire. But the physical component was significantly different, favoring CBT&BFT (p< 0.001). In CBT&BFT group,67%of patients reached the relaxed stage. In contrast, no patient reached the relaxed neither in BFT nor in SoCT. Conclusion: According to our study, patients with unfavorable responses to BFT may become better if CBT is added to their treatment plan.

Impact of oral administration of calcitriol to prevent symptomatic hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common complications of total thyroidectomy is post-operative transient or persistent hypoparathyroidism that can cause symptomatic hypocalcaemia. To prevent this complication, shorten the period of hospitalization and reduce morbidity, routine supplementation of oral vitamin D and calcium has been suggested. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to critically assess the association between pre-operative calcitriol supplementation and post-operative hypocalcaemia. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial studies were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to 30 March 2023. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles were performed, and data were extracted for a meta-analysis. RESULTS: This meta-analysis includes data from nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 1259 patients but with significant heterogeneity. The results demonstrate that calcium levels were higher in patients who had pre-operative calcitriol supplementation, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) 0.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.00, 0.37). Pre-operative calcitriol supplementation did not lead to significant changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, with WMD -0.49 (95% CI: -1.91, 0.94). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative calcitriol supplementation leads to higher calcium levels, but the high heterogeneity of the included studies (79% to 98.7%) could affect the results.

Neuroprotective effects of flavonoids: endoplasmic reticulum as the target.

The incidence of neurological disorders, particularly age-related neurodegenerative pathologies, exhibits an alarming upward trend, while current pharmacological interventions seldom achieve curative outcomes. Despite their diverse clinical presentations, neurological diseases often share a common pathological thread: the aberrant accumulation of misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This phenomenon, known as ER stress, arises when the cell's intrinsic quality control mechanisms fail to cope with the protein-folding burden. Consequently, misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER lumen, triggering a cascade of cellular stress responses. Recognizing this challenge, researchers have intensified their efforts over the past two decades to explore natural compounds that could potentially slow or even reverse these devastating pathologies. Flavonoids constitute a vast and heterogeneous class of plant polyphenols, with over 10,000 identified from diverse natural sources such as wines, vegetables, medicinal plants, and organic products. Flavonoids are generally divided into six different subclasses: anthocyanidins, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, and flavonols. The diverse family of flavonoids, featuring a common phenolic ring backbone adorned with varying hydroxyl groups and additional modifications, exerts its antioxidant activity by inhibiting the formation of ROS, as evidenced by research. Also, studies suggest that polyphenols such as flavonoids can regulate ER stress through apoptosis and autophagy. By understanding these mechanisms, we can unlock the potential of flavonoids as novel therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, this review critically examines the literature exploring the modulatory effects of flavonoids on various steps of the ER stress in neurological disorders.

Efficacy of preladenant in improving motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopamine depletion and severe motor impairments. Preladenant, an adenosine A2 receptor antagonist, is an investigational treatment for PD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to critically evaluate the efficacy of Preladenant in improving motor symptoms in patients with PD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Preladenant with placebo in PD patients were included. The primary outcome was the change in daily ON time without troublesome dyskinesia. Secondary outcomes included the change in daily OFF time and adverse events. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: Four RCTs with a total of 2097 PD patients were included. Pooled analysis showed that Preladenant could generally increase daily ON time (pooled effect 0.15 and 95 % CI: -0.19-0.48) and reduce daily OFF time (pooled effect -0.04 and 95 % CI: -0.43-0.36) compared to placebo, however it was not significant. The included studies had moderate to high heterogeneity. No significant differences in adverse events were observed between Preladenant and placebo. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that Preladenant may improve motor fluctuations in PD patients by increasing ON time and reducing OFF time. However, the high heterogeneity among studies warrants further large-scale, high-quality RCTs to confirm these findings and establish the long-term safety and efficacy of Preladenant in PD management.

A randomized controlled trial of the effects of hydrochlorothiazide on overactive bladder and idiopathic hypercalciuria.

Overactive bladder is a stressful condition which affects around 15%-20% of 5- year-old and up to 2% of young adults. One of the most common causes of overactive bladder is hypercalciuria. Our study investigated the effect of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on overactive bladder and hypercalciuria. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 88 patients with overactive bladder and idiopathic hypercalciuria. They were randomly divided into the intervention group receiving 1 mg/kg/day of HCTZ for 3 months, and the control group receiving training without any intervention. Treatment compliance and response were reviewed monthly in each patient using a 30-day bedwetting diary. In the 1st month, the mean of bedwetting was 14.47 ± 7.06 and 12.61 ± 7.57 in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.23). In the 2nd month, it was 10.04 ± 6.32 and 10.79 ± 7.83 in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.62); and in the 3rd month, it was 6.49 ± 7.13 and 7.64 ± 7.95 in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.59). There was no significant difference between the two groups. Thus, use of HCTZ was not found to be better than urine retention control training. Therefore, one may conclude that treating hypercalciuria with HCTZ had no demonstrable effect on overactive bladder.

Zinc Supplementation in Treatment of Children With Urinary Tract Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is very common in children. Precocious diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important because of the permanent disease complications. Zinc increases the response to treatment in many infections. In this study, we explored the effect of zinc in treating UTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred children with UTI were divided into 2 groups of 100 who were comparable in terms of age, sex, urine laboratory profiles, and clinical signs and symptoms. The control group received a standard treatment protocol for UTI and the intervention group received oral zinc sulfate syrup plus routine treatment of UTI. RESULTS: A faster recovery was observed in the patients receiving zinc, but abdominal pain was exacerbated by zinc and lasted longer. Three months after the treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the time of fever stop and negative urine culture. CONCLUSIONS: In children with UTI, zinc supplementation has a positive effect in ameliorating severe dysuria and urinary frequency while the use of this medication is not recommended in the presence of abdominal pain.

Comparison of Relation between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children with and without Simple Febrile Seizure Admitted in Arak Central Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Febrile seizure is one of the most prevalent childhood convulsions with the most common age of onset at 14-18 mo old. Fever decreases the brain threshold for seizure. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is also a neurologic-behavioral problem defined by attention deficit and hyperactivity according to DSM-IV criteria in which the child must have these signs in two different environments. There is controversy on the possible relation between febrile seizure and ADHD; while some studies approve a strong relation, some exclude any relation and some attribute ADHD to the side effects of other reasons. MATERIALS & METHODS: This descriptive-analytic study enrolled all children of 3-12 yr old with febrile seizure (according to Nelson Pediatrics Textbook diagnosed by the pediatrician in charge) referring to Amir Kabir Hospital, Arak, central Iran in 2010-2011. Overall, 103 of them with no corporeal or psychological disorder (like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other CNS maternal disease) were compared to 103 children of the same age and gender admitted due to disease other than febrile seizure utilizing DSM IV criteria for ADHD. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. RESULTS: The hyperactivity disorder in the control and case group was 34.3% and 16.7%, respectively, denoted a significant relation between simple febrile seizure and hyperactivity. CONCLUSION: Hyperactivity has a significant relation with febrile seizure in male gender, making further investigation in these children prudent for early diagnosis and management.

The correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by nephritic-range proteinuria and the triad of clinical findings associated with large urinary losses of protein, hypoalbuminemia, edema and hyperlipidemia. More than 80% of children below 13 years of age with primary NS have steroid-responsive forms. There is no identifiable cause of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is likely that the symptoms of ADHD represent a final common pathway of diverse causes, including genetic, organic and environmental etiologies. This case-control study was performed on 130 children aged between 5 and 13 years who were followed-up for two years. Sixty-five children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) as the case group and 65 healthy children as the control group were included in the study. Patients with minimal change NS were treated with prednisolone for at least six months. Conner's Parent Rating Scale - 48 (CPRS-48) was completed by the parents and the children were identified with any form of ADHD. Then, children were referred to an expert psychiatrist. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS software. The result showed that there was no significant relationship between different types of ADHD in both groups. Thus, based on current study, one may conclude that there are no significant differences between prevalence of ADHD in children with SDNS and the control group.

Effect of movement and developmental factors in growth and evolution in children with vesicoureteral reflux.

INTRODUCTION: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a backward flow of urine from bladder to ureter or kidney. Potential reflux is harmful because of kidney being faced with the hemodynamic high-pressure during urination. This project was carried out for high prevalence of VUR and delay in growth of children with chronic diseases. In case of growth disorder in children with this disease and its difference with healthy person, treatment can be tried by treating the growth disorder. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is survey of children with VUR about growth and developmental impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who performed voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)because of UTI, divided into 2 groups, healthy and sick. History and checklist filled, patients' height and weight measured in a standard way and ASQ questionnaires adjusted to age, used for the studying development effect. The height and weight of children measured by standard meter and scale and used the curves adjusted to age and sex. Control group entered the study with the same characteristics of case group without VUR, however, their height and weight were recorded. The way of evolution studied according to Nelsons evolution table and ASQ questionnaire. RESULTS: The both groups (total of 150 studied children) in the area of development of fine motor, gross motor and indicators of mean and percentile of height and weight and parents' literacy, had a significant difference (P< 0.05). It is can be due to better assessment and follow, higher education levels and better socioeconomic situation. CONCLUSION: Children with VUR, in terms of height and weight growth and index of gross and fine movements and communicate were better than normal children.