Role of Cytokines in Chemotherapy-related Cognitive Impairment of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is one of the most common problems experienced by patients receiving chemotherapy, and evidence suggests that cytokines might play an important role. Various studies were conducted to evaluate the role of cytokines in chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). However, the association between CRCI due to cytokines is not well-established. Thus, this systematic review aims to assess the role of cytokines in CRCI in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. An intense literature search was carried out for inclusion criteria in major databases, including PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov, in August 2021. Studies assessing cognitive parameters through objective and subjective assessment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were included.

RESULTS

A total of 4052 studies were identified, and 15 studies were included in this systematic review. We found that IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were associated with varying degrees of cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review showed a correlation between various cytokines and chemotherapy- associated cognitive decline in breast cancer patients.

A Systematic Review on Interferon Alpha-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Hepatitis C Patients

OBJECTIVE

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is an important treatment modality for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, treatment with IFN-α is often associated with cognitive difficulties in HCV patients. Thus, this systematic review was performed to assess the effects of IFN-α on cognitive functioning in patients suffering from HCV.

METHODS

Relevant literature was identified by performing a comprehensive literature search in major databases including PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Central using a combination of suitable keywords. We retrieved studies that were published from the start of each database until August 2021.

RESULTS

Out of 210 articles, 73 studies were selected after removing the duplicates. In the first pass, 60 articles were excluded. Out of 13 full-text articles, only 5 articles qualified for qualitative analyses in the second pass. We observed conflicting results concerned with the use of IFN-α and the risk of neurocognitive impairment in HCV patients.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we have observed conflicting results regarding the impact of INF-α treatment on the cognitive functioning of patients suffering from HCV. Thus, there is an urgent need for an extensive study to evaluate the exact association between INF-αtherapy and cognitive functioning in HCV patients.

Zolpidem use and risk of suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Zolpidem is one of the most commonly prescribed nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drugs for insomnia. Published epidemiological studies linked zolpidem with the risk of suicide. However, to date, no meta-analysis investigated this association. Hence, we systematically reviewed and meta-analysed the current evidence from real-world studies reporting the risk of suicide with the use of zolpidem.

METHODS

Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception till June 2021 for real-world evidence studies reporting the risk of suicide with the use of zolpidem. The quality assessment of included studies was assessed using the New-Castle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Random-effect meta-analysis was performed using a generic inverse variance method.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis was based on four studies with 344,753 participants, of which 42,279 were zolpidem users. The methodological quality of all the included studies was of high quality. A significantly increased risk of suicide or suicide attempt was found in zolpidem users compared to non-users, with a pooled relative risk of 1.88 (95% CI: 1.54 - 2.30). Furthermore, an increased risk of suicidal death was observed in zolpidem users compared to non-users, with a pooled relative risk of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.43 - 2.30). Dose-response analysis also revealed a significantly increased risk of suicide in patients receiving ≥ 180cDDD (cumulative defined daily doses) of zolpidem (124 times), followed by 90-179cDDD (113 times) and <90cDDD (93 times) of zolpidem compared to non-users.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, zolpidem use was associated with an increased risk of suicide or suicide attempt and suicidal death. Therefore, careful prescribing practices must be followed by considering the risk-benefit profile.

Neurocognitive Changes in Chronic Hepatitis C patients Receiving Combination Therapy of Interferon and Ribavirin: A Systematic Review

Background:

Approximately 3% of the world’s total population is affected by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The treatment for HCV differ widely across the countries and one of the therapy used is the combination of interferon (INF) and ribavirin (RBV). Few studies have shown that this combination increases the rate of sustained virological response in HCV patients, resulting in beneficial effects on cognition, while other studies reported that it leads to cognitive decline. Thus, this systematic review aims to assess the effects of INF+RBV therapy on neurocognitive changes of HCV patients.

Methods:

Studies reporting the effect of INF+RBV on neurocognitive changes were searched using Scopus, PubMed, Academia, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Cochrane. The studies were retried till August 23, 2021. The quality assessment of the included studies was done using Cochrane’s bias assessment tool.

Results:

A total of 6380 articles were found in the initial search. After removing the duplicates, 619 articles were screened on the basis of titles. Further, after the screening, 54 articles were screened on the basis of abstract and finally 16 articles were included in this study. Nine studies reported decline in cognitive function post INF+RBV therapy while 7 articles reported improvement in cognitive functions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the combination therapy of INF and RBV may result in cognitive decline in HCV patients.

Elevated urinary IL-36α and IL-18 levels are associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory cytokines have been reported to be pathogenic factors for the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Interleukin (IL)-36α is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 cytokine family that has been implicated in animal models of renal impairment. However, little is known about the role of IL-36α in DN in humans. The purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of IL-36α and IL-18 in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) patients with and without DN.

METHODS

Subjects were divided into 3 groups: Control (N.=20), T2DM without DN (N.=30), and T2DM with DN (N.=30). Urinary IL-36α and IL-18 levels were assessed using ELISA. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the association of the IL levels with clinical markers of T2DM and DN.

RESULTS

IL-36α and IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in T2DM patients with DN, when compared to T2DM patients without DN (P<0.0001, P=0.0025, respectively) and controls (P<0.0001, for both). IL-36α levels showed a positive correlation with urinary albumin excretion (r=0.754, P<0.0001), HbA1c (r=0.433, P=0.0168), fasting plasma glucose (r=0.433, P=0.0168) and negative correlation with glomerular filtration rate (r=-0.852 P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlighted the association of IL-36α with DN. However, further extensive studies are suggested for evaluating the association.

Risk Factors for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation-Associated Bone Loss

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including bone marrow transplantation, is the treatment of choice for many hematologic diseases, including hematologic malignancies and different types of anemia. The use of HSCT is increasing annually, mainly because advanced research that has been conducted in this area has exponentially expanded the indications for HSCT and significantly improved transplantation techniques and supportive care practices. Collectively, these improvements have led to an increase in the overall survival of HSCT patients. However, as post-HSCT survival is increasing, awareness of the potential late complications of HSCT is also growing. Unpredictable bone loss is one of the major post-HSCT complications that can cause significant morbidity and impair the quality of life of survivors. Although the exact mechanism of post-HSCT bone loss is not yet known, previous studies have suggested that numerous factors, including destructive preparative regimens (eg, high-dose chemotherapy, total body irradiation), treatment-related complications (eg, graft-versus-host disease), endocrine abnormalities (eg, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal insufficiency), lack of physical activity, and the underlying disease itself are responsible for HSCT-associated bone loss. Sufficient data have been collected to suggest that post-HSCT bone loss can be prevented and treated using the same preventive and treatment modalities as used for the general population. Various guidelines have been formulated to help keep a check on HSCT recipients' deteriorating bone health.

Increased serum interleukin-9 and interleukin-1β are associated with depression in type 2 diabetes patients

BACKGROUND

Co-morbid diabetes and depression are prevalent chronic conditions negatively affecting quality of life (QoL). Inflammation has been considered as an integral mechanism in patients with both diabetes and depression.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate depression and its association with interleukins (IL)-1β and IL-9 in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) and controls. The QoL in diabetic patient was also assessed.

METHODS

Eighty subjects were included, distributed among three groups: Group 1 - Healthy controls; Group 2 - T2DM patients without depression; Group 3 - T2DM patients with depression. Depression and QoL were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and The Audit of Diabetes-Dependent QoL (ADDQoL), respectively. IL-1β and IL-9 were measured in serum samples of all the patients using ELISA kit.

RESULTS

The PHQ score in the Group 3 was significantly higher as compared to Group 1. The ADDQoL scores in the Group 3 were significantly higher as compared to Group 2. Levels of IL-9 and IL-1β were elevated in Group 3, as compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSION

This study showed positive association between depression and IL-1β, IL-9 in T2DM patients. Additionally, the diabetic patients have poorer quality of life, which is further worsened by the presence of depression. Thus, routine assessment for the presence of depression is suggested in T2DM patients.

Study of Awareness and Practice of Informed Consent Process Among Clinical Trial Participants and Their Motives Behind Participation

Process to obtain informed consent is an essential component in research involving human subjects. However, much is not known about the level of awareness participants have about optimal consenting process and the motives that drive their participation in the trials. A cross-sectional study was conducted among volunteers who had been participating in clinical trials in contract research organizations of Delhi. Validated questionnaires were used to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice of informed consent process. Most of the volunteers, 226 (56.5%), had participated in 1 to 3 clinical trials. Majority (54%) were unaware about any informed consent document. None of them were aware of their right of profession competence, privacy and integrity, transparency, nonexploitation, and nonusage of their biological samples. Effective implementation of principles of informed consenting is largely lacking among contract research organizations in Delhi, India. This could potentially cause risk to the participants.

Intranasal pitavastatin attenuates seizures in different experimental models of epilepsy in mice

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of intranasal pitavastatin (PVS) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, increasing current electroshock (ICES) seizures, and status epilepticus in mice. Intranasal PVS, 0.5 and 1.0mg/kg, showed significant increase in latency to PTZ-induced seizures and ICES seizure threshold compared to control; however, the effects were dose-dependent and were more significant at higher dose. Further, intranasal PVS (1.0mg/kg) but not intravenous PVS (50.0mg/kg) showed effective protection against PTZ-induced status epilepticus. No impairment in cognitive functions was observed following intranasal PVS (1.0mg/kg), thus making it a prospective therapeutic approach for acute seizures and status epilepticus.

Association of Vitamin D and Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To assess the association of vitamin D (VD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Method: Literature search was conducted for studies assessing the association of VD and DR. Total 9 studies have a sum total of 1741 patients were included for final analysis.

Results: The concentration of VD in controls ranged from 17.5±3.6 to 31.9±12.9 ng/ml, while for T2DM patients without retinopathy it ranged from 11.94±4.21 to 23.10±6.12 ng/ml. T2DM patients with retinopathy had the lowest concentration, ranging from 10.02±5.61 to 19.25±7.86 ng/ml. Ahigher percentage of T2DM patients without (50.7% to 68.80%) and with (31.2% to 79.63%) retinopathy had VD deficiency (VDD).

Discussion: An inverse association between VD levels and DR was observed. The concentration of VD decreases as the stage of DR advances. VD seems to be an easily modifiable risk factor for DR. Thus, VD supplementation should be encouraged in population at higher risk for diabetic complications.

Effects of agomelatine on pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling, kindling-associated oxidative stress, and behavioral despair in mice and modulation of its actions by luzindole and 1-(m-chlorophenyl) piperazine

In view of well-evidenced antiepileptic effects of melatonin and few reports of anticonvulsant action of agomelatine, the present study investigated whether agomelatine protects against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling in mice and kindling-associated oxidative stress, depression, and impairment of spatial memory. In order to explore whether effects are mediated by melatonergic or serotonergic mechanisms, 1-(m-chlorophenyl) piperazine (mCPP), selective 5HT2c receptor agonist and luzindole, melatonergic receptor antagonist, were taken as pharmacological tools. In view of few hepatotoxic reports on agomelatine, the study evaluated effects on hepatic enzyme levels. Swiss strain albino mice were injected with PTZ (25mg/kg, i.p.) once every two days for 5weeks to induce kindling. The effects of agomelatine (10mg/kg, p.o.) alone and in combination with luzindole (2.5mg/kg, i.p.) or mCPP (7mg/kg, i.p.) on seizure severity during induction and % incidence of animals kindled at the end of 5weeks were recorded. Modified forced swim test was used for studying depression-like behavior while spontaneous alternation behavior was used for studying effects on spatial memory. Serum AST and ALT concentrations, cortical and hippocampal malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione were measured. Agomelatine 10mg/kg, p.o. effectively delayed development of kindling, reduced seizure severity, and decreased % incidence. Luzindole reversed the protective effects of agomelatine while mCPP failed to show such a reversal, indicating melatonergic (and not serotonergic) mechanisms in the observed effects. Agomelatine also showed antioxidant effects that can partially contribute to its anticonvulsant action. In addition, it alleviated PTZ-kindling-associated behavioral despair and favorably modulated liver enzymes. Its effects on improvement of kindling-associated spatial memory could possibly be related to its effects on locomotor activity. Agomelatine, thus, could be explored as an adjunct to antiepileptic drugs for seizure control and for alleviating epilepsy-associated depression.

Alteration of Thyroid Function in Indian HER 2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Thyroid hormones (TH) are regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, development and other aspects of metabolism. It is believed that an active hypothalamic-pituitary axis increases the susceptibility of thyroid dysfunction during systemic chemotherapy. In order to investigate the relation between thyroid function and chemotherapy the present study was designed to investigate TH in breast cancer patients receiving at least three cycles of chemotherapy. The levels of TH were measured at the baseline and before each cycle of chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood samples for estimation of TH levels were collected from 80 (pre-menopausal-40; post-menopausal-40) breast cancer patients just before they were undergoing--1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cycle of chemotherapy. The serum was separated and T3, T4 and TSH levels were determined by chemiluminescence method.

RESULTS

T3 and T4 were found significantly decreased and TSH was found significantly increased after 1st (p<0.001), 2nd (p<0.0001) and 3rd cycle of chemotherapy (p<0.0001). The variation of T3 levels (decreased) and TSH levels (increased) was found more in post-menopausal (p<0.0001) women then in pre-menopausal women after 3rd cycle of chemotherapy as compared to baseline (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TH were remarkably altered after each cycle of chemotherapy leading to decline in thyroid function of breast cancer patients. Further, the results also indicated that post- menopausal women were more prone towards decline in thyroid function then pre-menopausal women. The present study proposes the monitoring of TH after each cycle of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Evaluation of anticonvulsant and nootropic effect of ondansetron in mice

The role of serotonin receptors have been implicated in various types of experimentally induced seizures. Ondansetron is a highly selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist used as antiemetic agent for chemotherapy-, and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of ondansetron on electroshock, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and cognitive functions in mice. Ondansetron was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg (single dose) to observe its effect on the increasing current electroshock seizure (ICES) test and PTZ-induced seizure test. In addition, a chronic study (21 days) was also performed to assess the effects of ondansetron on electroshock-induced convulsions and cognitive functions. The effect on cognition was assessed by elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigms. Phenytoin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as a standard anticonvulsant drug and piracetam (200 mg/kg) was administered as a standard nootropic drug. The results were compared with an acute study, wherein it was found that the administration of ondansetron (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) significantly raised the seizure-threshold current as compared to control group in the ICES test. Similar results were observed after chronic administration of ondansetron. In PTZ test, ondansetron in all the three tested doses failed to show protective effect against PTZ-induced seizure test. Administration of ondansetron for 21 days significantly decreased the transfer latency (TL) and prolonged the step-down latency (SDL). The results of present study suggest the anticonvulsant and memory-enhancing effect of ondansetron in mice.

Takayasu's arteritis with ostial and left main coronary artery stenosis

Takayasu's arteritis with coronary artery involvement is rare, and there is little published information on the subject. Coronary angiographic and histopathologic studies have revealed coronary artery lesions in 9% to 11% of cases. Coronary artery involvement consists mostly of stenosis or occlusion of the coronary ostia. We report the case of a 19-year-old woman who presented with crescendo angina. Upon investigation, we found that our patient had ostial and left main coronary arterial stenosis with left-dominant circulation; therefore, we decided that an arterial Y graft, performed on a beating heart, would provide better perfusion to the compromised myocardium than would a single graft to the left anterior descending artery. In addition, use of the Y graft obviated the need to perform a proximal anastomosis on an inflamed, edematous ascending aorta, and it conferred long-term graft patency of the internal mammary arteries. Timely coronary artery bypass grafting relieved our patient's angina, and in early follow-up she has shown good effort tolerance.

Surgical considerations in management of left hemianomalous pulmonary venous connections

Anomalous pulmonary venous connection of the entire left lung into the left innominate vein is very rare. 5 patients with this anomaly were managed in the authors' institution over the last 12 years. Clinically they were diagnosed as cases of pretricuspid left-to-right shunt at atrial level. Cardiac catheterisation and angiography demonstrated the anomalous drainage of the entire left lung into the left innominate vein. Anastomosis between the vertical vein and the left atrium was established using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia, and cold cardioplegic diastolic arrest of the heart. Postoperative course was uneventful. 4 of the 5 patients presented for follow-up during 1-12 years (mean 6.5 years). All are asymptomatic and have been studied with echocardiography, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The anastomatic site was found to be non obstructive in all the patients.

Biatrial drainage of right superior vena cava with anomalous right pulmonary venous connection

A case of right superior vena cava draining to both atria, predominantly to the left atrium, with anomalous right pulmonary venous connection to the lower right superior vena cava is reported. The haemodynamic significance of these anomalies is discussed, and the technique of surgical repair is described. The literature on this rare but interesting clinical entity is briefly reviewed.

Surgical considerations in the management of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms

Nineteen patients of Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm were operated during a nine year period. All were larger than 10 cm. in size. Four were operated in emergency. Seven underwent patch aortoplasty while eleven required tube inlay aortoplasty with visceral vessel reimplantation. One patient continued to be paraplegic postoperatively. Two (10.52%) had acute renal failure and there were two (10.52%) deaths. A sincere effort to keep the aortic and renal occlusion times to minimum and successful reimplantation of lower intercoastals and visceral branches appear to offer significant help in accomplishing successful repair with justifiable expectancy.

Tetralogy of Fallot with complete atrioventricular canal: a report of successful surgical treatment

A case of successful surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot with complete atrioventricular canal in 4 year old female child is reported. Double patch technique and combined right atrial and right ventricular (RV) approach were used to repair this defect. The ventricular patch was tailored wide and redundant anteriorly in the form of a sail to prevent subaortic obstruction. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was relieved through an infundibular incision with subsequent use of subannular pericardial patch. The relevant literature on the management of this rare anomaly is briefly reviewed.