European review for medical and pharmacological sciences最新文献

Objective: Tobacco smoking is recognized as one of the biggest threats to public health globally. Clinical trials conducted to date on cytisine have demonstrated its good efficacy in promoting smoking cessation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of cytisine as monotherapy in the treatment of moderate or severe tobacco use disorder in a real-world setting in Italy.

Materials and methods: A monocentric, retrospective, observational study was conducted on 159 adult patients (≥18 years) treated with oral cytisine who were referred to the Rome Anti-Smoking Center of IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute for the first time from March 2023 to November 2023. The study used both clinical [objective examination, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) test, Fagerström test, and Mondor test] and instrumental evaluations (spirometry and measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide). Categorical data were summarized using absolute frequencies and percentage values, while continuous variables were summarized using median values and relative range. Comparisons between categorical variables were performed by using Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact F-test. Comparisons between continuous variables were carried out using the Mann-Whitney test or the Student's t-test. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare carbon monoxide values between the first visit and the first follow-up visit.

Results: 93 (58.5%) patients were males with a median age of 64 years, while 66 (42%) were females with a median age of 63 years. The median age of cigarette smoking initiation was 16 years, and the median number of packs per year was 40. After 3 months, 44 patients out of 65 (67.7%) patients who received therapy were adherent, while 21 (32.3%) patients did not follow the prescription and dropped out of the treatment. 75% (33/44) of patients who adhered to therapy successfully quit smoking, compared to just 25% (11/44) of those who did not adhere to treatment and did not stop smoking (p=0.011). No significant safety issues were identified.

Conclusions: Cytisine therapy administered in the real-life setting of a specialized anti-smoking center significantly promotes smoking abstinence. However, it has a poor therapeutic adherence profile, requiring further research on therapeutic adherence and long-term outcomes in order to optimize treatment strategies.

The Editor in Chief and the Publisher are issuing an expression of concern regarding the following article: Gerli S, Mignosa M, Di Renzo GC. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2003; 7(6): 151-159-PMID: 15206484. This Expression of Concern is issued following a whistleblower's report regarding errors in the study protocol and results, as well as ethical concerns. The authors have informed the journal that the original data are no longer available due to the 22 years that have elapsed since the article's publication. In the absence of these data, we are issuing this Expression of Concern to alert readers that concerns have been raised about this article. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/94.

Biologically active medical products (biopharmaceuticals) are substances related to the natural molecules present in the organism that affect the process regulation. These drugs can exert effects imitating the functions of natural proteins, as well as by affecting cellular receptors or interacting with the natural, biologically active molecules in the organism, most frequently participating in signal transduction. Due to the structure and targeted activity mechanisms, they are characterized by high therapeutic specificity. This article presents biopharmaceuticals that influence the modulation of the Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcriptional signaling pathways, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, neoplastic, hematological, skin, and rheumatic diseases. It is assumed that disturbed cellular signals within these pathways may also be significant for the development of oral cavity diseases, including periodontitis. A thorough understanding of the ways of transmission and activation of the subsequent signaling pathways involved in protein synthesis will allow for a more accurate and in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms behind the onset and development of numerous diseases. It will facilitate the development and implementation of targeted therapies that directly inhibit the JAK-STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways, which initiate inflammatory reactions in the cell. In combination with the therapeutic methods used so far, modification of the host's response at the molecular level may offer promising therapeutic benefits.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-Abstract-29-scaled.jpg.

The article "Effect of miR-363 on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of laryngeal cancer by targeting Mcl-1" by W.-T. Feng, R. Yao, L.-J. Xu, X.-M. Zhong, H. Liu, Y. Sun, L.-L. Zhou published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (14): 4564-4572-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201807_15512-PMID: 30058689 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer, the Journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The journal's investigation confirmed figure duplication, specifically within panel A of Figure 4. The authors were contacted, informed of the ongoing investigation, and requested to provide the original data supporting the manuscript, but they remained unresponsive. As a result, the Journal has decided to retract this article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/15512.

OBJECTIVE: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) poses a critical health risk, especially among the elderly. This study aims to enhance the specificity of DVT diagnosis by integrating novel inflammatory ratios and hematological markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Kaplan Medical Center, analyzing data from 310 patients aged 65 and older, following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Hematological and biochemical parameters, including D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and various inflammatory markers, were evaluated. Statistical analyses involved logistic regression, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm for missing data imputation, ensuring robust results for DVT diagnostics. RESULTS: Out of 500 patients aged 65 and older evaluated for DVT admitted to the Emergency room at Kaplan Medical Center between January 1, 2020, and January 30, 2023, 310 were included in the analysis, with 23.23% positive for DVT. The DVT group's mean age was significantly higher (78.6 ± 9.1 years) than the non-DVT group (76.4 ± 4.65 years, p < 0.01). Significant predictors of DVT included D-dimer (p < 0.01, OR 1.33) and the D-dimer to activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ratio (p < 0.01, OR 1.07). While achieving 100% sensitivity for both markers comes with low specificity, D-dimer and the Dd:aPTT ratio demonstrated strong potential in identifying DVT. CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer to aPTT ratio is a promising diagnostic tool for DVT, warranting further investigation.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-Abstract-30.jpg.

The article "MiR-411-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer through targeting PUM1" by L.-H. Xia, Q.-H. Yan, Q.-D. Sun, Y.-P. Gao published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (17): 5546-5553-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201809_15816-PMID: 30229827 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer, the Journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The journal's investigation confirmed several instances of Figure duplication with previously published articles, specifically in Figures 3 and 4. The authors were contacted, informed of the ongoing investigation, and requested to provide the original data supporting the manuscript, but they remained unresponsive. As a result, the Journal has decided to retract this article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/15816.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease characterized by inflammation, lesions, demyelination, and axonal damage. Approximately 2.8 million people globally have MS. Many pharmacological agents can reduce relapsing-remitting episodes, but are ineffective on secondary progressive MS, causing symptoms to worsen over time. MS patients have significant impairment in neurophysiological factors such as demyelination and the balance between inhibitory and excitatory synaptic interactions. These impairments disrupt normal communication between neurons in the cerebral cortex, which contributes to the symptoms and disease progression. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can identify and measure such neurophysiological parameters, including cortical excitability, linked with progression and the severity of disease. Thus, TMS could serve as a potential surrogate marker to monitor MS activity and severity. The review highlights the potential of TMS in managing MS, including enhanced cognitive functions, reduced fatigue, and improved spasticity, balance, and gait. In addition, TMS contributes to reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress while promoting neuronal repair and remyelination. However, further research is required for a better understanding of the stimulation- and site-specific effects of TMS in MS.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/graphical-abstract-25.jpg.

The article "Boswellia serrata and Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts reduce DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice by TGF-beta1 downregulation" by R. Sferra, A. Vetuschi, V. Catitti, S. Ammanniti, S. Pompili, D. Melideo, G. Frieri, E. Gaudio, G. Latella published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2012; 16 (11): 1484-1498-PMID: 23111960 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer, the Journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure and data manipulation. The authors were contacted and informed of the ongoing investigation. The authors stated that "due to an inadvertent error that occurred during the preparation of the manuscript, some images and data were mistakenly selected from an incorrect file, resulting in the inclusion of material previously published in Liver International (2009)". The article has been, therefore, retracted according to COPE guidelines. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/1806.

OBJECTIVE: Timely response and identification of risk factors are critical components of suicide prevention, enabling appropriate intervention. By applying machine learning to clinical data analysis, predictive models can be developed to classify patients into high- and low-risk groups, which can help prevent loss of life. This study aims to develop a machine learning model to categorize patients based on their risk of suicide attempts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 301 respondents hospitalized at the Clinic of Psychiatry for either suicidal behavior or non-suicidal reasons. They were divided into two groups according to the presence of suicidal behavior. By using machine learning methods, we analyzed the influence of 18 observed features on the development of suicidal behavior. A predictive model was developed to classify individuals into two risk categories - high and low - for the observed population. The k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) algorithm was used to train the model. RESULTS: The kNN-based model achieved a classification accuracy of 87%, with sensitivity at 87%, precision at 90% and an F-score of 85% for the tested sample. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of risk factors for suicidal behavior remains the most effective strategy for prevention. Classification models may serve as valuable clinical tools for assessing suicide risk, potentially contributing to a reduction in suicide rates in Vojvodina. Expanding the database could improve the functions of the obtained classifier and enable its introduction into medical practice.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-Abstract-27.jpg.