The global prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection in humans (2010-2023): A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to evaluate global Trichuris infection prevalence, assessing progress towards the WHO's 2030 target. We searched international databases from 2010-2023, categorizing data by regions and socio-economic variables using a random-effects model. Analyzing 757 articles covering 7154,842 individuals from 78 countries, the study found a pooled global prevalence of (6.64-7.57%), with the highest rates in the Caribbean (21.72%; 8.90-38.18%) and South-East Asia (20.95; 15.71-26.71%) regions. Southern Africa (9.58; 2.11-21.46%), Latin America (9.58; 2.11-21.46%), and Middle Africa Middle Africa (8.94; 6.31-11.98%) also exhibited high prevalence. Eastern Europe had the lowest prevalence at 0.16% (0.09-0.24). Approximately 513 (480-547) million people worldwide were estimated to harbor Trichuris. Moreover ∼1.5% of people tested worldwide (2010-2023) had a moderate to heavy intensity of infection. The study emphasizes the persistent global health threat of Trichuris infection, urging tailored strategies for effective control and prevention on a global scale.

The Hepatoprotective Effects of Ginsenoside from Ginseng: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials

Treatment of hepatic diseases presents a significant challenge due to their diverse nature. Ginsenosides, bioactive compounds derived from the root of Panax ginseng and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, offer multifaceted protection to various organs in the body. Their versatile effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and more, make them a promising approach for addressing hepatic disorders. This review explores the intricate molecular mechanisms and properties of ginsenosides in the prevention and treatment of liver ailments, from mild conditions to severe damage and liver fibrosis. Given the increasing prevalence of hepatic disorders, this article sheds light on the significant pharmaceutical potential of ginsenosides in the realm of hepatic disease management.

Hepatitis C infection seroprevalence in pregnant women worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Monitoring progress towards the WHO global target to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, entails reliable prevalence estimates for HCV infection in different populations. Little is known about the global burden of HCV infection in pregnant women. Here, for the first time to our knowledge, we estimated the global and regional seroprevalence of HCV antibody (Ab) and determinants in pregnant women.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and SciELO databases for peer-reviewed observational studies between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2023, without language or geographical restrictions. Pooled global seroprevalence (and 95% confidence interval, CI) were estimated using random-effects meta-analysis and seroprevalences were categorised according to World Health Organization regions and subregions, publishing year, countries' income and human development index (HDI) levels. We used sensitivity analysis to assess the effect of four large sample size studies on pooled global prevalence through the "leave-one-out" method. We also investigated the association of potential risk factors with HCV seropositivity in pregnant women by subgroup and meta-regression analyses. The Protocol was registered in PROSPERO CRD42023423259.

Findings

We included 192 eligible studies (208 datasets), with data for 148,509,760 pregnant women from 53 countries. The global seroprevalence of HCV Ab in pregnant women was 1.80% (95% CI, 1.72-1.89%) and 3.29% (3.01-3.57%) in overall and sensitivity analyses, respectively. The seroprevalence was highest in the Eastern Mediterranean region (6.21%, 4.39-8.29%) and lowest in the Western Pacific region (0.75%, 0.38-1.22%). Subgroup analysis indicated that the seroprevalence of HCV Ab among pregnant women was significantly higher for those with opioid use disorder (51.94%, 95% CI: 37.32-66.39) and HIV infection (4.34%, 95% CI: 2.21-7.06%) than for the general population of pregnant women (1.08%, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15%), as confirmed by multivariable meta-regression (p < 0.001). A significant decreasing trend was observed with increasing human development index levels. Other important risk factors for HCV seropositivity included older age, lower educational levels, poly sexual activity, history of blood transfusion, hospitalization, surgery, abortion and sexual transmitted diseases, having scarification/tattoo or piercing, and testing hepatitis B positive.

Interpretation

This meta-analysis showed relatively high burden of exposure to HCV infection (2.2-5.3 million) in pregnant women globally. However, due to substantial heterogeneity between studies, our estimates might be different than the true seroprevalence. Our findings highlighted the need to expand HCV screening for women of reproductive age or during pregnancy, particularly in countries with high prevalence; as well as for more studies that assess safety of existing therapeutic drugs during pregnancy or potentially support development of drugs for pregnant women.

Funding

There was no funding source for this study.

Macrophage-Based Therapeutic Strategies in Hematologic Malignancies

Macrophages are types of immune cells, with ambivalent functions in tumor growth, which depend on the specific environment in which they reside. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a diverse population of immunosuppressive myeloid cells that play significant roles in several malignancies. TAM infiltration in malignancies has been linked to a poor prognosis and limited response to treatments, including those using checkpoint inhibitors. Understanding the precise mechanisms through which macrophages contribute to tumor growth is an active area of research as targeting these cells may offer potential therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. Numerous investigations have focused on anti-TAM-based methods that try to eliminate, rewire, or target the functional mediators released by these cells. Considering the importance of these strategies in the reversion of tumor resistance to conventional therapies and immune modulatory vaccination could be an appealing approach for the immunosuppressive targeting of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The combination of reprogramming and TAM depletion is a special feature of this approach compared to other clinical strategies. Thus, the present review aims to comprehensively overview the pleiotropic activities of TAMs and their involvement in various stages of cancer development as a potent drug target, with a focus on hematologic tumors.

Trichomonas vaginalis infection and risk of cervical neoplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The evidence in the literature regarding the relationship between Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection and cervical neoplasia is conflicting. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the risk of cervical neoplasia associated with TV infection.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of observational studies, which provided raw data on the association of TV infection with cervical neoplasia, was performed. For this aim, we searched scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, the Web of Sciences, and Embase) from inception to March 15, 2023. A random-effects model was applied by Stata 17.0 to calculate the pooled and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), including subgroup, sensitivity, and cumulative analyses to explore sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Of the 2584 records initially identified, 35 eligible studies contributed data for 67,856 women with cervical neoplasia, and 933,697 healthy controls from 14 countries were included. The pooled (2.15; 1.61-2.87; I2 = 87.7%) and adjusted (2.17; 1.82-2.60; I2 = 31.27%) ORs indicated a significant positive association between TV infection and the development of cervical neoplasia. There was no significant change in pooled and adjusted ORs by applying sensitivity and cumulative analyses, indicating the robustness of our findings. The pooled OR was significant in most sub-group analyses. There was no publication bias in the included studies.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that women with a TV infection are at significantly greater risk of cervical neoplasia. Future research, particularly longitudinal and experimental studies, should be done to better understand the various aspects of this association.

Decreased serum level of soluble-leptin-receptor in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

There is some evidence suggesting that leptin and its negative regulator, soluble-leptinreceptor (SLR) may be able to influence inflammatory and autoimmune processes.

METHODS

In this study, several variables including socio-demographics, health-related habits, depression score, serum molecules and blood parameters besides the SLR level were evaluated in patients with SLE (SLE-patients) and healthy controls.

RESULTS

The patients had significantly lower SLR level and higher depression score than the controls and both of these variables have a significant association with the occurrence of disease in logistic regression model. Moreover, the results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that patients' SLR level was negatively correlated with their weights and BDI scores.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, this study indicated a lower level of SLR in SLE-patients and suggested that lower concentrations of SLR in these patients may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Higher depression score is associated with the level of antinuclear-antibody, soluble-gp130, soluble-leptin-receptor, hookah and cigarette smoking in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction

Depression stands out as an important health issue. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disorder with possible involvement of each body organ and system.

Objectives

to determine prevalence and level of depression and its relationship with autoantibody titers, individual, environmental, laboratory and lifestyle parameters in SLE-patients

Aims

to evaluate the causes or effects of depression in SLE-patients.

Methods

50 variables containing sociodemographics, health-related habits, depression, serum molecules and blood parameters were evaluated in SLE-patients and healthy controls.

Results

Although no significant differences for 4 sociodemographic and 18 health-related lifestyle parameters were found between patients and controls but depression score and its prevalence in SLE-patients was higher. SLE-patients had higher depression score than controls. 94.12% of SLE-patients had no or mild depression, while the rest had mild-moderate or moderate depression. Furthermore, more depressed SLE-patients had higher level of autoantibodies. Between lupus-related-parameters such as autoantibodies, complement level and other hematological parameters, only the correlation of antinuclear-antibody (ANA) titer and depression score remained significant after controlling for variables. Interestingly, depression score was inversely correlated with the level of soluble-leptin-receptor (sLeptinR) and soluble-glyeoprotein-130 (sgp130) after controlling for variables in SLE-patients. Depression of SLE-patients had a direct association with alcohol, cigarette and hookah consumption.

Conclusions

Depression score and its prevalence are higher in SLE-patients than controls. These depression levels are correlated with ANA or some habits like hookah smoking in patient group. Inverse association between depression and some soluble molecules like sgp130 or sLeptinR in SLE-patients also remained to be elucidated.

Higher depression score in recurrent miscarriage patients is associated with the level of anti-double-stranded-DNA-antibody, soluble-gp130, soluble-leptin-receptor and hookah smoking

Introduction

Depression stands out as an important health issue that affects the entire family.

Objectives

to assess the prevalence and level of depression and its relationship with autoantibodies, individual, environmental, laboratory and lifestyle parameters in miscarriage-patients

Aims

to evaluate the causes or effects of depression in recurrent miscarriage-patients.

Methods

50 variables containing sociodemographics, health-related habits, depression, serum molecules and blood parameters were evaluated in recurrent miscarriage-patients and healthy women with natural childbirth.

Results

Although no significant differences for 4 sociodemographic and 18 health-related lifestyle parameters were found between patients and controls but depression score and its prevalence was higher in patients than controls. Depression scores were higher in miscarriage-patients (ranging 3–36, mean = 11.92 ± 1.37) than controls (ranging 0–8, mean = 3.05 ± 0.63) which 80.96% of them had no or mild, 2.38% mild-moderate, 4.76% moderate and 11.9% severe depression. There was also a significant association between anti-double-stranded-DNA-antibody (anti-dsDNA) or rheumatoid-factor (RF) level and depression in miscarriage-patients. Interestingly, depression score was inversely correlated with the level of soluble-leptin-receptor (sLeptinR) and soluble-glyeoprotein-130 (sgp130) after controlling for covariates in patients. Depression of miscarriage-patients was correlated with hookah consumption rate. Surprising that, the association between abortion histories and depression in miscarriage-patients become not significant after controlling for age.

Conclusions

Depression score and its prevalence are higher in miscarriage-patients than controls. The depression levels are correlated with certain autoantibodies such as anti-dsDNA or some habits like hookah smoking in miscarriage-patients. Inverse association between depression and some soluble molecules like sgp130 or sLeptinR in recurrent miscarriage-patients also remained to be elucidated.

Depression along with age, weight, smoking, sunlight exposure and alcohol drinking may affect the titer of autoantibodies in lupus patients

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as a prototypic autoimmune disorder are characterized by autoantibody formation against nuclear antigens.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of depression, age, weight, smoking, sunlight exposure and alcohol drinking on antinuclear (ANA) and anti-double-stranded-DNA-antibody (anti-dsDNA) level in lupus-patients.

Aims

To evaluate the effect of depression and some individual or lifestyle-habits on lupus.

Methods

Comparison of 46 variables along with their intercorrelations was done in ANA-positive patients and ANA-negative healthy subjects.

Results

Depression status and its prevalence in lupus-patients were higher than controls. Furthermore, more depressed patients had higher ANA and anti-dsDNA level which their level had a direct correlation with the age and weight of patients. However, ANA was more correlated with age and anti-dsDNA with weight. Higher ANA titer was also associated with higher consumption of alcohol and permanent hair products which after controlling for age and weight, only the first correlation remained significant. Anti-dsDNA titer was also positively associated with some of lifestyle habits which after controlling for age and weight, only the correlations with hookah consumption and sunlight exposure remained significant. Moreover the percentage of eosinophils was directly correlated with the level of tow aforesaid autoantibodies.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that depression score along with age and weight of ANA-positive lupus-patients as well as some of their health-related habits such as hookah smoking, direct sunlight exposure and alcohol drinking may affect the titer of autoantibodies in these patients. Further studies are required to evaluate the role of these factors in the exacerbations of SLE.

Oxidation and DNA binding of (+)-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene in mouse epidermis in vivo and effects of coadministration of catechol

Using a stereochemical probe as described by Marnett (Carcinogenesis (Lond.), 8: 1365-1373, 1987), we have investigated the mechanism of oxidation of (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene [(+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol] in mouse epidermis in vivo. Groups of mice were topically treated with (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol (60 nmol/mouse) and sacrificed at intervals from 1/2 to 8 h post treatment. (-)-Anti- and (+)-syn-7,8-[3H]dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (BPDE) were formed as metabolites in a ratio of about 4 to 1, respectively, as determined by HPLC analysis of the hydrolysis products. Pretreatment of mice with indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin H synthase, did not alter the ratio of anti- to syn-BPDE-derived hydrolysis products. Pretreatment of mice with the cytochrome P-450 inducer, beta-naphthoflavone, yielded twice the level of syn-[3H]BPDE in mouse skin at the 1/2-h survival point. However, this enhancing effect diminished over time. Coadministration of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) with (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol decreased the formation of (-)-anti-[3H]BPDE and also decreased lipid peroxidation, as measured by the extent of formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material in mouse epidermis. Analysis of mouse epidermal DNA adducts 24 h after topical application (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol indicated that the major adduct is not formed from the major metabolite (-)-anti-BPDE. Acid hydrolysis of the major adduct resulted in the formation of a small amount of r-7,c-9,c-10,t-8-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene and two unidentified products different from 7,8,9,10-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP. Coadministered catechol suppressed the formation of this adduct by 30%. The present observation suggests that a peroxyl radical-mediated epoxidation pathway is involved in the oxidation of (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol in mouse skin in vivo.

Catechol-induced alterations in metabolic activation and binding of enantiomeric and racemic 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrenes to DNA in mouse skin

Catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) is a potent co-carcinogen with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and with (+/-)-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8- dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BaP-7,8-diol) in mouse skin. The effects of catechol on the metabolic activation of (+)- and (-)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diols and on epidermal DNA adduct formation of racemic and enantiomeric [3H]BaP-7,8-diols were examined by applying the tritiated diols to mouse skin. The major metabolite of the (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol was the hydrolysis product of (-)-[3H]-7 alpha, 8 beta-dihydroxy-9 beta, 10 beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (anti-BPDE). This suggests that a peroxyl radical-mediated pathway is predominantly responsible for the epoxidation of this diol. Formation of (-)-anti[3H]BPDE from (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol was greater than that of (+)-anti-BPDE from (-)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol. Co-application of catechol with [3H]BaP-7,8-diols inhibited epoxidation of the (+) enantiomer to a greater extent than that of the (-) enantiomer. Catechol decreased the total DNA-binding and the formation of the major adduct with (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol metabolites but catechol had no significant effect on the binding and formation of (+)-anti-[3H]BPDE-deoxyguanosine, the major DNA adduct derived from (-)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol. Co-administration of catechol with (+/-)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol increased the ratio of (-)- to (+)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol derived major DNA adducts in mouse skin suggesting that catechol selectively inhibits certain pathways of metabolic activation of (+/-)-[3H]BaP-7,8-diol. Thus, catechol modifies the tumorigenic activity of (+/-)-BaP-7,8-diol either by alteration of the relative proportion of various hydrocarbon:DNA adducts or by a totally different as yet unexplored mechanisms.

Metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene and 7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a pyrene in lung and liver of newborn mice

Although the newborn mouse has been extensively used to test the tumorigenic activities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and their diol epoxide metabolites, no information is available on their metabolism in the newborn mouse in vivo. Therefore, we have investigated the metabolism and distribution of [3H]benzo[a]pyrene ([3H]BaP) and (+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-[3H]dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene ([3H]BPDE) in liver and lung of mice given i.p. injections of these compounds on their 1st, 8th and 15th days of life. In lung, identified metabolites of [3H]BaP included diols, quinones, and phenols. Their levels were higher on the 1st day compared to the 8th and 15th days of life. The pattern of organic extractable metabolites detected in mouse liver was different from that in lung, being dominated by unidentified polar metabolites, the levels of which increased with age. Levels of [3H]BPDE in liver and lung were measured by trapping with 2-mercaptoethanol. It was demonstrated that [3H]BPDE rapidly reaches the lung after i.p. injections. The half-lives of [3H]BPDE in lung and liver were similar to those observed in vitro. The results are discussed with respect to the known tumorigenic activities of BaP and BPDE in newborn mice and in mouse skin.

Contrasting disposition and metabolism of topically applied benzo(a)pyrene, trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene, and 7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene in mouse epidermis in vivo

Whereas extensive evidence indicates that 7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE) is a major ultimate carcinogen of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in mouse skin, tumorigenicity studies have consistently shown that anti-BPDE is less active then BaP in this model system. In order to investigate factors responsible for this apparent contradiction, we have compared the disposition, metabolism, and DNA binding of [3H]BaP, (+/-)-trans-7,8-[14C]dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene [(+/-)-[14C]BaP-7,8-diol), and (+/-)-anti-[3H]BPDE in mouse epidermis in vivo. There were remarkable differences in the total radioactivity recovered in epidermis at various times after topical application of BaP, BaP-7,8-diol, and anti-BPDE. BaP and its metabolites were removed from epidermis gradually (t1/2 approximately equal to 2 h). However, 60-65% of anti-BPDE disappeared from mouse epidermis within 3 min of application, while a second slower phase of removal of radioactivity was observed between 8 min and 2 h. The kinetics of removal of BaP-7,8-diol and its metabolites were intermediate between those of BaP and anti-BPDE. The half-life of anti-BPDE in mouse epidermis was measured by trapping it with 2-mercaptoethanol. The initial half-life was about 6 min, similar to that observed in vitro. However, following the initial rapid penetration of anti-BPDE through epidermis most of the remaining material became immobilized in an epidermal binding site in which its half-life was greater than 2 h. Qualitatively, the metabolite patterns of BaP, BaP-7,8-diol, and anti-BPDE were similar to expectations based on in vitro studies. However, the kinetics of metabolite formation from BaP were different from those of BaP-7,8-diol or anti-BPDE. The extents of formation of anti-BPDE-DNA adducts 24 h after application of BaP, BaP-7,8-diol, or anti-BPDE to mouse skin were similar despite the fact that the levels of anti-BPDE present in epidermis were about 50 to 100 times greater after application of BaP-7,8-diol or anti-BPDE than after application of BaP. The results of this study demonstrate that the quantitative aspects of BaP-7,8-diol and anti-BPDE metabolism and disposition in mouse skin are different from those of BaP and indicate that the relatively low tumorigenicity of BaP-7,8-diol and anti-BPDE in mouse skin may be partially attributable to differences between the disposition of these metabolites when topically applied compared to when they are generated intracellularly from BaP.