scholarly journals A Comprehensive Review of Hass Avocado Clinical Trials, Observational Studies, and Biological Mechanisms

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4376
Author(s):  
Mark L. Dreher ◽  
Feon W. Cheng ◽  
Nikki A. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Water Emulsion ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Ldl Particles ◽  
Hass Avocado

This first comprehensive review of fresh Hass avocados includes 19 clinical trials, five observational studies, and biological mechanisms. We identified four primary avocado health effects: (1) reducing cardiovascular disease risk in healthy overweight or obese adults with dyslipidemia by lowering non-HDL-C profiles, triglycerides, LDL oxidation, small atherogenic LDL particles and promoting postprandial vascular endothelial health for better peripheral blood flow; (2) lowering the risk of being overweight or obese, supporting weight loss, and reducing visceral fat tissue in overweight or obese women; (3) improving cognitive function in older normal-weight adults and in young to middle age overweight or obese adults especially in frontal cortex executive function; and (4) stimulating improved colonic microbiota health in overweight or obese adults by promoting healthier microflora and fecal metabolites. We also identified a unique combination of four Hass avocado nutritional features that appear to be primarily responsible for these health effects: (1) a 6 to 1 unsaturated (rich in oleic acid) to saturated fat ratio similar to olive oil; (2) a source of multifunctional prebiotic and viscous fiber; (3) a relatively low energy density of 1.6 kcal/g (79% of edible Hass avocado weight consists of water and fiber with a creamy, smooth texture); and (4) its oleic acid and water emulsion increases carotenoid absorption from low-fat fruits and vegetables (e.g., salsa or salad) when consumed with avocados. They are also a good source of micronutrients and polyphenols, and are very low in sodium and available carbohydrates supporting secondary health and wellness benefits. Hass avocado health effects are best demonstrated when consumed in a healthy dietary plan such as the Mediterranean diet. More extensive and longer clinical trials are needed to further enhance our understanding of the Hass avocado’s health effects.

scholarly journals EULAR points to consider for conducting clinical trials and observational studies in individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-220884
Author(s):  
Kulveer Mankia ◽  
Heidi J Siddle ◽  
Andreas Kerschbaumer ◽  
Deshire Alpizar Rodriguez ◽  
Anca Irinel Catrina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Subclinical Inflammation ◽  
Consensus Statements ◽  
Clinical Arthritis

BackgroundDespite growing interest, there is no guidance or consensus on how to conduct clinical trials and observational studies in populations at risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsAn European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) task force formulated four research questions to be addressed by systematic literature review (SLR). The SLR results informed consensus statements. One overarching principle, 10 points to consider (PTC) and a research agenda were proposed. Task force members rated their level of agreement (1–10) for each PTC.ResultsEpidemiological and demographic characteristics should be measured in all clinical trials and studies in at-risk individuals. Different at-risk populations, identified according to clinical presentation, were defined: asymptomatic, musculoskeletal symptoms without arthritis and early clinical arthritis. Study end-points should include the development of subclinical inflammation on imaging, clinical arthritis, RA and subsequent achievement of arthritis remission. Risk factors should be assessed at baseline and re-evaluated where appropriate; they include genetic markers and autoantibody profiling and additionally clinical symptoms and subclinical inflammation on imaging in those with symptoms and/or clinical arthritis. Trials should address the effect of the intervention on risk factors, as well as progression to clinical arthritis or RA. In patients with early clinical arthritis, pharmacological intervention has the potential to prevent RA development. Participants’ knowledge of their RA risk may inform their decision to participate; information should be provided using an individually tailored approach.ConclusionThese consensus statements provide data-driven guidance for rheumatologists, health professionals and investigators conducting clinical trials and observational studies in individuals at risk of RA.

scholarly journals Jaboticaba berry: a comprehensive review on its polyphenol composition, health effects, metabolism, and the development of food products

2021 ◽  
pp. 110518
Author(s):  
Kim Ohanna Pimenta Inada ◽  
Iris Batista Leite ◽  
Ana Beatriz Neves Martins ◽  
Eliane Fialho ◽  
Francisco A. Tomás-Barberán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Comprehensive Review

scholarly journals Citicoline in Ophthalmological Neurodegenerative Disease: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Francesco Oddone ◽  
Luca Rossetti ◽  
Mariacristina Parravano ◽  
Diego Sbardella ◽  
Massimo Coletta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Brain Ischemia ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Ischemic Optic Neuropathy ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Dopaminergic Transmission

Cytidine 5’-diphosphocholine has been widely studied in systemic neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and brain ischemia. The rationale for the use of citicoline in ophthalmological neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy, is founded on its multifactorial mechanism of action and the involvement in several metabolic pathways, including phospholipid homeostasis, mitochondrial dynamics, as well as cholinergic and dopaminergic transmission, all being involved in the complexity of the visual transmission. This narrative review is aimed at reporting both pre-clinical data regarding the involvement of citicoline in such metabolic pathways (including new insights about its role in the intracellular proteostasis through an interaction with the proteasome) and its effects on clinical psychophysical, electrophysiological, and morphological outcomes following its use in ophthalmological neurodegenerative diseases (including the results of the most recent prospective randomized clinical trials).

scholarly journals Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiparasitic Properties of Propolis: A Review

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1360
Author(s):  
Felix Zulhendri ◽  
Kavita Chandrasekaran ◽  
Magdalena Kowacz ◽  
Munir Ravalia ◽  
Krishna Kripal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Physical Barrier ◽  
Inflammatory Signaling ◽  
Replication Process ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Cellular Organelles

Propolis is a complex phytocompound made from resinous and balsamic material harvested by bees from flowers, branches, pollen, and tree exudates.Humans have used propolis therapeutically for centuries. The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive review of the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties of propolis. The mechanisms of action of propolis are discussed. There are two distinct impacts with regards to antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties of propolis, on the pathogens and on the host. With regards to the pathogens, propolis acts by disrupting the ability of the pathogens to invade the host cells by forming a physical barrier and inhibiting enzymes and proteins needed for invasion into the host cells. Propolis also inhibits the replication process of the pathogens. Moreover, propolis inhibits the metabolic processes of the pathogens by disrupting cellular organelles and components responsible for energy production. With regard to the host, propolis functions as an immunomodulator. It upregulates the innate immunity and modulates the inflammatory signaling pathways. Propolis also helps maintain the host’s cellular antioxidant status. More importantly, a small number of human clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of propolis as an adjuvant therapy for pathogenic infections.

Can We Trust Observational Studies Using Propensity Scores in the Critical Care Literature? A Systematic Comparison With Randomized Clinical Trials*

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1870-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios D. Kitsios ◽  
Issa J. Dahabreh ◽  
Sean Callahan ◽  
Jessica K. Paulus ◽  
Anthony C. Campagna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Propensity Scores ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Systematic Comparison

scholarly journals High-cited favorable studies for COVID-19 treatments ineffective in large trials

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P.A. Ioannidis
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Wide Dissemination ◽  
Highly Cited Articles ◽  
Highly Cited

Importance. COVID-19 has resulted in massive production, publication and wide dissemination of clinical studies trying to identify effective treatments. However, several widely touted treatments failed to show effectiveness in large well-done randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Objective. To evaluate for COVID-19 treatments that showed no benefits in subsequent large RCTs how many of their most-cited clinical studies had declared favorable results for these interventions. Methods. Scopus (last update December 23, 2021) identified articles on lopinavir-ritonavir, hydroxycholoroquine/azithromycin, remdesivir, convalescent plasma, colchicine or interferon (index interventions) that represented clinical trials and that had received >150 citations. Their conclusions were assessed and correlated with study design features. The ten most recent citations for the most-cited article on each index intervention were examined on whether they were critical to the highly-cited study. Altmetric scores were also obtained. Findings. 40 articles of clinical studies on these index interventions had received >150 citations (7 exceeded 1,000 citations). 20/40 (50%) had favorable conclusions and 4 were equivocal. Highly-cited articles with favorable conclusions were rarely RCTs while those without favorable conclusions were mostly RCTs (3/20 vs 15/20, p=0.0003). Only 1 RCT with favorable conclusions had sample size >160. Citation counts correlated strongly with Altmetric scores, in particular news items. Only 9 (15%) of 60 recent citations to the most highly-cited studies with favorable or equivocal conclusions were critical to the highly-cited study. Conclusion. Many clinical studies with favorable conclusions for largely ineffective COVID-19 treatments are uncritically heavily cited and disseminated. Early observational studies and small randomized trials may cause spurious claims of effectiveness that get perpetuated.

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