Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for Alzheimer’s disease: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

ObjectiveAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition that significantly impacts both individuals and society. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for AD by summarizing the evidence from systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs).MethodsSRs/MAs of rTMS for AD were collected by searching Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, VIP, Sino-Med, and Wanfang databases. The search was conducted from database creation to January 23, 2024. Methodological quality, reporting quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Assessing Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). In addition, the quality of evidence for outcome measures was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).ResultsEight SRs/MAs included in this study met the inclusion criteria. Based on the AMSTAR-2, 4 of the SRs/MA were classified as low quality, while the remaining 4 were deemed to be of very low quality. The PRISMA analysis revealed that out of the 27 items reporting, 16 achieved full reporting (100%). However, there were still some deficiencies in reporting, particularly related to protocol and registration, search strategy, risk of bias, and additional analysis. The ROBIS tool indicated that only 3 SRs/MAs had a low risk of bias. The GRADE assessment indicated that 6 outcomes were of moderate quality (18.75%), 16 were of low quality (50%), and 10 were classified as very low quality (31.25%).ConclusionBased on the evidence collected, rTMS appears to be effective in improving cognitive function in AD patients, although the methodological quality of the SRs/MAs reduces the reliability of the conclusions and the overall quality is low. However, based on the available results, we still support the value of rTMS as an intervention to improve cognitive function in AD. In future studies, it is necessary to confirm the efficacy of rTMS in AD patients and provide more reliable and scientific data to contribute to evidence-based medicine

The efficacy of acupuncture for trigeminal neuralgia: an overview of systematic reviews

BackgroundMany systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MAs) have reported the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN), but the quality of evidence is unknown and therefore needs to be evaluated comprehensively.MethodsEight electronic databases were searched from their inception until January 5, 2024. The methodological quality, reporting quality, and risk of bias of the included SRs were assessed by the assessment of multiple systematic reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The quality of evidence for outcome measures was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).ResultsWe identified 13 SRs/MAs met inclusion criteria. According to the results of the AMSTAR-2, six were rated as critically low quality and seven as low quality. According to ROBIS assessment, 8 SRs/MAs were classified as low risk, and 5 SRs/MAs were found to be high risk. The PRISMA report still has some reporting deficiencies in aspects such as protocol and registration, search strategy, risk of bias, additional analyzes and funding. According to the GRADE system, no high-quality evidence was found, 1 was of moderate quality, 4 were of low quality, and 8 were of critical low quality.ConclusionBased on the evidence collected, acupuncture shows promise as a treatment for PTN patients. However, it is important to note that the included SRs/MAs generally have low methodological quality and evidence quality. Therefore, caution must be exercised when interpreting this conclusion. To enhance future research in this area, it is recommended to adequately report methodological details and adhere to guidelines for conducting SRs/MAs.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024499280

Klinička primjena RT-PCR u otkrivanju DNK tuberkuloze u kombinaciji s TB-IGRA u dijagnostici plućne tuberkuloze s negativnim nalazom sputuma

The aim was to investigate detection of pulmonary alveolar lavage fluid tuberculosis DNA by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with clinical application of the sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis with TB interferon-γ release assay (TB-IGRA). From October 2014 to October 2015, 632 outpatients and inpatients treated in our hospital were randomly selected, of which 459 patients as the research group managed with RT-PCR detection combined with TB-IGRA and 173 patients as the control group undergoing electronic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage fluid detection, with detection results statistically evaluated. The positive rate in the research group was 96.51%, i.e. significantly higher than that in the control group (66.47%), yielding a statistically significant difference (χ2=109.68, p=0.00). The true positive rate was 97.7% in the research group and 67.92% in the control group; the true positive rate was significantly higher in the research group patients as compared with the control group, yielding a statistically significant difference (χ2=112.04, p=0.00). The sensitivity and specificity, as well as Youden index were significantly higher in the research group as compared with the control group. In conclusion, TB DNA detection by RT-PCR combined with TB-IGRA is a very good method of diagnosing tuberculosis, and it can be implemented in clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati otkrivanje DNK tuberkuloze u plućnom alveolarnom ispirku pomoću lančane reakcije polimeraze u stvarnom vremenu s fluorescentnim bojama (RT-PCR) u kombinaciji s kliničkom primjenom dijagnostike plućne tuberkuloze s negativnim nalazom sputuma pomoću testa otpuštanja TB interferona-γ (TB-IGRA). Od listopada 2014. do listopada 2015. godine nasumce su odabrane 632 osobe bolnički i izvanbolnički liječene u našoj bolnici, od kojih je 459 uključeno u ispitnu skupinu podvrgnutu otkrivanju pomoću RT-PCR u kombinaciji s testom TB-IGRA, a 173 u kontrolnu skupinu podvrgnutu elektroničkom otkrivanju u bronhoskopskom alveolarnom ispirku; rezultati su statistički obrađeni. Stopa pozitivnih nalaza bila je 96,51% u ispitnoj skupini, odnosno značajno viša od one u kontrolnoj skupini (66,47%), uz statistički značajnu razliku (χ2=109,68; p=0,00). Stopa stvarno pozitivnih nalaza bila je 97,7% u ispitnoj skupini i 67,92% u kontrolnoj skupini, dakle značajno viša kod bolesnika ispitne skupine u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom, uz statistički značajnu razliku (χ2=112,04; p=0,00). Osjetljivost i specifičnost, kao i Youdenov indeks bili su značajno viši u ispitnoj skupini u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. U zaključku, otkrivanje TB DNK pomoću RT-PCR u kombinaciji s TB-IGRA vrlo je dobra metoda za dijagnosticiranje tuberkuloze, koja se može primjenjivati u kliničkoj dijagnostici plućne tuberkuloze

Evaluation of human enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus A16 specific immunoglobulin M antibodies for diagnosis of hand-foot-and-mouth disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is caused mainly by the human enterovirus type 71 (HEV71) and the Coxsackievirus A group type 16 (CVA16). Large outbreaks of disease have occurred frequently in the Asia-Pacific region. Reliable methods are needed for diagnosis of HFMD in childen. IgM-capture ELISA, with its notable advantages of convenience and low cost, provides a potentially frontline assay. We aimed to evaluate the newly developed IgM-capture ELISAs for HEV71 and CVA16 in the diagnosis of HFMD, and to measure the kinetics of IgM over the course of HEV71 or CVA16 infections.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We mapped, for the first time, the kinetics of IgM in HEV71 and CVA16 infection. HEV71- and CVA16-IgM were both detectable in some patients on day 1 of illness, and in 100% of patients by day 5 (HEV71) and day 8 (CVA16) respectively; both IgMs persisted for several weeks. The IgM detection rates were 90.2% (138 of 153 sera) and 68.0% (66 of 97 sera) for HEV71 and CVA16 infections, respectively, during the first 7 days of diseases. During the first 90 days after onset these values were 93.6% (233 of 249 sera) and 72.8% (91 of 125 sera) for HEV71 and CVA16 infections, respectively. Some cross-reactivity was observed between HEV71- and CVA16-IgM ELISAs. HEV71-IgM was positive in 38 of 122 (31.1%) CVA16 infections, 14 of 49 (28.6%) other enteroviral infections and 2 of 105 (1.9%) for other respiratory virus infected sera. Similarly, CVA16-IgM was apparently positive in 58 of 211 (27.5%) HEV71 infections, 16 of 48 (33.3%) other enterovirus infections and 3 of 105 (2.9%) other respiratory virus infected sera. Nevertheless, the ELISA yielded the higher OD₄₅₀value of main antibody than that of cross-reaction antibody, successfully identifying the enteroviral infection in 96.6% (HEV71) and 91.7% (CVA16) cases. When blood and rectal swabs were collected on the same day, the data showed that the agreement between IgM-capture ELISA and real-time RT-PCR in HEV71 was high (Kappa value = 0.729) while CVA16 somewhat lower (Kappa value = 0.300).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HEV71- and CVA16-IgM ELISAs can be deployed successfully as a convenient and cost-effective diagnostic tool for HFMD in clinical laboratories.</p

A Novel Nanobody Specific for Respiratory Surfactant Protein A has Potential for Lung Targeting

Lung-targeting drugs are thought to be potential therapies of refractory lung diseases by maximizing local drug concentrations in the lung to avoid systemic circulation. However, a major limitation in developing lung-targeted drugs is the acquirement of lung-specific ligands. Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SPA) is predominantly synthesized by type II alveolar epithelial cells, and may serve as a potential lung-targeting ligand. Here, we generated recombinant rat pulmonary SPA (rSPA) as an antigen and immunized an alpaca to produce two nanobodies (the smallest naturally occurring antibodies) specific for rSPA, designated Nb6 and Nb17. To assess these nanobodies\u27 potential for lung targeting, we evaluated their specificity to lung tissue and toxicity in mice. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that these anti-rSPA nanobodies selectively bound to rat lungs with high affinity. Furthermore, we intravenously injected fluorescein isothiocyanate-Nb17 in nude mice and observed its preferential accumulation in the lung to other tissues, suggesting high affinity of the nanobody for the lung. Studying acute and chronic toxicity of Nb17 revealed its safety in rats without causing apparent histological alterations. Collectively, we have generated and characterized lung-specific nanobodies, which may be applicable for lung drug delivery

Effects of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) on ovarian function and embryo quality in mice

Abstract(#br)Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) has an adverse effect on reproductive function, in particular causing reduced male reproductive function, but relatively few studies have directly targeted its effects on female reproduction. To investigate the effects of PM 2.5 exposure on female reproduction, we exposed female mice to PM 2.5 by intratracheal instillation for 28 days, and evaluated apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes and the quality embryos after insemination. Our results showed increased numbers of apoptotic granulosa cells and oocytes after exposure to elevated concentrations of PM 2.5 , which had adverse effects on female fertility via compromising embryo development and quality. We conclude that PM 2.5 induced apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes leading to disrupted embryo development and female fertility in mice

Effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on ovarian function and embryo quality in mice.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has an adverse effect on reproductive function, in particular causing reduced male reproductive function, but relatively few studies have directly targeted its effects on female reproduction. To investigate the effects of PM2.5 exposure on female reproduction, we exposed female mice to PM2.5 by intratracheal instillation for 28 days, and evaluated apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes and the quality embryos after insemination. Our results showed increased numbers of apoptotic granulosa cells and oocytes after exposure to elevated concentrations of PM2.5, which had adverse effects on female fertility via compromising embryo development and quality. We conclude that PM2.5 induced apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes leading to disrupted embryo development and female fertility in mice

Improving myopia awareness via school-based myopia prevention health education among Chinese students

AIM: To investigate the myopia awareness level, knowledge, attitude, and skills at baseline and to implement and evaluate the efficacy of myopia prevention health education among Chinese students. METHODS: A total of 1000 middle school students from 2 middle schools were invited to participate in the study, and myopia prevention health education was conducted. The students were assessed at baseline, followed by a survey. The efficacy of health education was evaluated using the self-comparison method pre- and post-health education. RESULTS: The study included 957 and 850 pre- and post-health education participants, respectively. The baseline knowledge of all respondents on myopic symptoms (87.5%), myopia is a risk of eyes (72.9%), myopia prevention (91.3%), myopia increases with age (86.7%), performing periodic eye examinations (92.8%), and one first, one foot, and one inch (84.8%) significantly increased after health education (P&#x003C;0.001 for all). However, the percentage of students who still did not think it necessary to take breaks after 30-40min of continuous near work was 27.0%. The opinion that “myopia can be cured” was still present in 38.3%. CONCLUSION: Implementing school-based myopia prevention health education improves knowledge, attitudes, and skills regarding myopia among Chinese middle school students

Genomic and oncogenic preference of HBV integration in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can integrate into the human genome, contributing to genomic instability and hepatocarcinogenesis. Here by conducting high-throughput viral integration detection and RNA sequencing, we identify 4,225 HBV integration events in tumour and adjacent non-tumour samples from 426 patients with HCC. We show that HBV is prone to integrate into rare fragile sites and functional genomic regions including CpG islands. We observe a distinct pattern in the preferential sites of HBV integration between tumour and non-tumour tissues. HBV insertional sites are significantly enriched in the proximity of telomeres in tumours. Recurrent HBV target genes are identified with few that overlap. The overall HBV integration frequency is much higher in tumour genomes of males than in females, with a significant enrichment of integration into chromosome 17. Furthermore, a cirrhosis-dependent HBV integration pattern is observed, affecting distinct targeted genes. Our data suggest that HBV integration has a high potential to drive oncogenic transformation

The Future of the Correlated Electron Problem

The understanding of material systems with strong electron-electron interactions is the central problem in modern condensed matter physics. Despite this, the essential physics of many of these materials is still not understood and we have no overall perspective on their properties. Moreover, we have very little ability to make predictions in this class of systems. In this manuscript we share our personal views of what the major open problems are in correlated electron systems and we discuss some possible routes to make progress in this rich and fascinating field. This manuscript is the result of the vigorous discussions and deliberations that took place at Johns Hopkins University during a three-day workshop January 27, 28, and 29, 2020 that brought together six senior scientists and 46 more junior scientists. Our hope, is that the topics we have presented will provide inspiration for others working in this field and motivation for the idea that significant progress can be made on very hard problems if we focus our collective energies.Comment: 55 pages, 19 figure