European review for medical and pharmacological sciences最新文献

OBJECTIVE: Degenerative meniscal lesions consist of an alteration of the meniscal structure, eventually leading to pain and dysfunction. In the absence of mechanical symptoms, meniscectomy should be considered the last resort. Polynucleotides represent a novel treatment option which have shown promising results in different fields, including knee osteoarthritis. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a cycle of intra- and peri-meniscal polynucleotide injections for the treatment of degenerative meniscus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 30 patients aged 25-65 with degenerative meniscal tears confirmed by MRI. Eligible patients were treated with three intra- and peri-meniscal injections of polynucleotides, administered with a two-week time interval under ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome was improvement in the overall Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) by at least 10 points from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and the Tegner Activity Scale. Safety was assessed through the monitoring of adverse events. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients completed the 12-month follow-up. KOOS scores showed a statistically significant improvement from a mean of 61.99 at baseline to 84.32 at 12 months [95% CI: (79.25, 89.4); p<0.001]. VAS mm scores also decreased significantly, from 62.68 at baseline to 20.63 at 12 months [95% CI, (12.84, 28.41), p<0.001]. Improvements in IKDC and Tegner scores were observed but plateaued after 6 months. No adverse events were reported throughout the entire study period. CONCLUSIONS: A cycle of three intra- and peri-meniscal poly-nucleotides injections is able to provide statistically significant improvements in clinical scores up to 1 year of follow-up in patients affected by symptomatic degenerative meniscus of the knee.

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Prediabetes is an intermediary metabolic state marked by impaired glucose control, often preceding the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Early detection of prediabetes and intervention are critical to prevent the progression to T2D and its associated complications. This review examines the effects of nutraceuticals on regulating metabolism, with a focus on glucose control, specifically chromium picolinate (CrP) and banaba leaf extract. CrP has been extensively studied, and its role in regulating metabolism has been officially recognized. Preclinical research demonstrates its ability to improve glucose control by enhancing insulin sensitivity. These effects explain the reductions in fasting plasma glucose, elevated hemoglobin A1c, and insulin levels observed in clinical studies, particularly in patients with T2D. Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) leaf extract, rich in corosolic acid and ellagitannins, has also shown promising results in improving glycemic control. As observed in preclinical studies, both banaba extract and corosolic acid exert insulin-sensitizing, glucose-lowering, and lipid-lowering properties. Clinical trials have confirmed these effects in individuals with T2D and prediabetes. Based on this evidence, combining CrP and banaba leaf extract may offer synergistic benefits in managing dysglycemia and delaying the onset of T2D in individuals with prediabetes. Only one study has evaluated the effects of the CrP and banaba extract combination, showing positive outcomes in individuals with prediabetes. Further research is needed to corroborate these preliminary findings. In conclusion, nutraceuticals like CrP and banaba leaf extract hold promise as complementary therapies to be used alongside lifestyle modifications for individuals with prediabetes.

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OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Conventional prognostic tools may not fully capture disease outcomes. MicroRNA (miR) expression has emerged as a potential prognostic factor, though findings remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the prognostic role of miR-190, miR-221, and miR-381 in predicting overall survival (OS) among breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus identified relevant studies. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the relationship between miR expression and OS. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Four studies on miR-221, four on miR-190, and three on miR-381 met inclusion criteria. High miR-190 expression was significantly associated with improved OS (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.47-0.84), as was miR-381 (HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.52-0.79). No significant association was found between miR-221 expression and OS (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.86-1.46). Subgroup analysis reinforced these findings, and Newcastle-Ottawa scale assessment indicated low publication bias in 10 out of 11. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated miR-190 and miR-381 levels are associated with improved OS in breast cancer, whereas the prognostic role of miR-221 remains unclear. These findings underscore the potential of miR-190 and miR-381 as prognostic biomarkers.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-Abstract-18-scaled.jpg.

OBJECTIVE: The neurophysiological and neuroanatomical alterations underlying brain morphology in adult males who stutter remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to determine whether individuals who stutter exhibit structural differences in frontal brain regions associated with somatosensory and motor systems critical for speech production. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of King Saud University (KSU). A total of 54 adult male participants [27 stutterers (ST) and 27 non-stutterers (NST)], aged 18-55 years, were enrolled. A certified speech-language pathologist assessed all participants using the validated Stuttering Severity Instrument-4 (SSI-4). High-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (SAG T1 3D MP-RAGE sequence) were acquired using a Siemens Skyra 3.0T scanner at the Department of Medical Imaging, KSU Medical City, Riyadh. RESULTS: Compared to NST participants, individuals in the ST group showed significant volumetric alterations in the left precentral gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, and right middle frontal gyrus. Additional significant differences were observed in the left middle frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis, left inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis, left inferior frontal gyrus, left precuneus, left pole of the superior temporal white matter, and left insular cortex. These regions demonstrated consistent structural differences between ST and NST participants, suggesting a robust association between stuttering and abnormal morphology in frontal and related cortical areas. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence of structural abnormalities in frontal brain regions implicated in the regulation of somatosensory and motor processes essential for speech production. This supports the hypothesis that stuttering is associated with disrupted neuroanatomical organization in key speech-related cortical networks.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-Abstract-17.jpg.

The article "Effect of exosome-carried miR-30a on myocardial apoptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats through regulating autophagy" by Y.-Q. Xu, Y. Xu, S.-H. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (16): 7066-7072-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18748-PMID: 31486507 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised by a third party regarding possible overlaps and duplication in the Figures, the journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the concerns, as well as a possible Figure manipulation. The journal's investigation revealed a duplication between panels Model and miR-30a inhibitor of Figure 1. Therefore, the manuscript is retracted due to figure duplication. The journal has contacted the authors to inform them of the ongoing investigation and to request the original data supporting the manuscript; however, the authors have not responded to these communications. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18748.

OBJECTIVE: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have reshaped heart failure (HF) management. However, evidence regarding their effects on cardiac structure, particularly for dapagliflozin, remains inconsistent. This study evaluates dapagliflozin's impact on echocardiographic parameters and its concordance with clinical response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized controlled study included HF patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, divided into dapagliflozin-treated and dapagliflozin-naïve groups. Echocardiography and speckle-tracking strain analysis were conducted at baseline and six months. The primary outcome was the change in indexed LV mass. Secondary outcomes included LV function, volumes, dimensions, functional mitral regurgitation, global longitudinal strain (GLS), diastolic function, right ventricular (RV) function, and clinical response assessed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score. RESULTS: Among 240 participants, 160 received dapagliflozin in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy, while 80 were dapagliflozin-naïve. Adjusted regression analysis showed significant improvements in LV mass index (-43.51 g/m², 95% CI: -59.4 to -27.5, p < 0.0001), end-systolic volume (-29.45 mL, 95% CI: -43.9 to -14.9, p < 0.0001), and end-diastolic volume (-29.44 mL, 95% CI: -47.9 to -10.9, p = 0.0021). Improvements were also observed in LV ejection fraction (5.15%, 95% CI: 2.84 to 7.45, p < 0.0001), GLS (-1.99%, 95% CI: -2.87 to -1.11, p < 0.0001), E/A ratio (-0.56, 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.10, p = 0.016), effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) (-0.18 cm², 95% CI: -0.28 to -0.081, p = 0.0006), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (0.38 cm, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.62, p = 0.0024), and composite clinical outcome (HR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43-0.98, p = 0.043). LVEF, GLS, E/A ratio, TAPSE, inferior vena cava diameter, and left atrial area correlated with clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin emerges as a potential therapy for patients with left ventricular dysfunction, enhancing LV systolic function and diastolic performance, alongside a favorable clinical response. Future studies with more extensive assessment of right ventricular function and longer follow-up are warranted.

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

The article "LncRNA EBIC promoted proliferation, metastasis and cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells and predicted poor survival in ovarian cancer patients" by Q.-F. Xu, Y.-X. Tang, X. Wang published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (14): 4440-4447-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201807_15495-PMID: 30058681 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/4756B8806339A2FA95E3A77A3FB451), the journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The journal's investigation identified a discrepancy between the data described in the text and the content presented in Figure 1, raising concerns about the originality and accuracy of the data. Additionally, detailed information regarding Ethics Approval was missing. The authors have been notified about the ongoing investigation and were asked to provide the original data, however, they have not responded to these communications. As a result, due to unresolved concerns regarding data integrity, lack of ethical approval documentation, and the authors' failure to respond to repeated requests for clarification, the article has been retracted. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/15495.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to describe an inadvertent sub-macular triamcinolone acetonide (TA) deposition following a TA-assisted pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling. CASE REPORT: In this interventional case report, a 75-year-old female with ERM-induced visual distortion underwent TA-assisted 25-gauge three-port PPV, endolaser photocoagulation, and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas (8%) endo tamponade to treat ERM in the left eye. Significant TA deposition was observed intraoperatively in the submacular region, which remained after ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal. One month after PPV, the retina appeared flat, with no significant vitreoretinal interface defects or macular ultrastructural abnormalities. Vision improved from 0.40 to 0.2 logMAR, and there was no evidence of any ophthalmoscopic damage. CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent sub-macular TA deposition following ERM peeling did not cause any significant surgical sequelae.

Graphical abstract: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-Abstract-13.jpg.

The article "MiR-195 alleviates ulcerative colitis in rats via MAPK signaling pathway" by X.-S. Bai, G. Bai, L.-D. Tang, Y. Li, Y. Huan, H. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (5): 2640-2646-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202003_20533-PMID: 32196614 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised by a third party regarding possible overlaps and duplication in Figure 2, the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the concerns, as well as a possible Figure manipulation. The journal's investigation revealed overlaps between panels "Model" and "miR-195 agomir" and between "Control" and "Model" of Figure 2. The authors have been notified about the ongoing investigation and were asked to provide the original data, however, they have not responded to these communications. Therefore, the manuscript is retracted for figure duplication and manipulation. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20533.