Electrochemical biosensors for monitoring of selected pregnancy hormones during the first trimester: A systematic review.

The hormones human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, estrogen and four of its metabolites (estradiol, estrone, estriol, estetrol), as well as relaxin play an essential role in the development of the fetus during the first trimester. Imbalances in these hormones during the first trimester have been directly linked to miscarriages. However, frequent monitoring of the hormones is limited by the current conventional centralized analytical tools that do not allow a rapid response time. Electrochemical sensing is considered an ideal tool to detect hormones owing to its advantages such as quick response, user-friendliness, low economic costs, and possibility of use in point-of-care settings. Electrochemical detection of pregnancy hormones is an emerging field that has been demonstrated primarily at research level. Thus, it is timely with a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of the reported detection techniques. This is the first extensive review focusing on the advances related to electrochemical detection of hormones linked to the first trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, this review offers insights into the main challenges that must be addressed imminently to ensure progress from research to clinical applications.

Carnosine and histidine-containing dipeptides improve dyslipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Cardiovascular disease is a major public health problem and represents a significant burden of disease globally. Lifestyle interventions have their limitations and an intervention that will effectively address cardiovascular risk factors to help reduce this growing burden of disease is required. OBJECTIVE: Carnosine and other histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) have exerted positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases in animal and human studies. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of HCDs on cardiovascular outcomes in line with the PRISMA guidelines. DATA SOURCES: The Medline, Medline in process, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, and All EBM databases were searched from inception until January 25, 2019, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of HCDs on cardiovascular outcomes, compared with placebo or controls. DATA EXTRACTION: Basic characteristics of the study and populations, interventions, and study results were extracted. The grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation approach was used to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome. DATA ANALYSIS: A total of 21 studies were included. Of these, 18 were pooled for meta-analysis (n = 913). In low risk of bias studies, HCD-supplemented groups had lower total cholesterol (n = 6 RCTs; n = 401; weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.32 mmol/L [95%CI, -0.57 to -0.07], P = 0.01) and triglyceride levels (n = 6 RCTs; n = 401; WMD, -0.14 mmol/L [95%CI, -0.20 to -0.08], P < 0.001) compared with controls. In studies using carnosine, triglycerides levels were also lower in the intervention group vs controls (n = 5 RCTS; n = 309; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in blood pressure, heart rate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or the total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Carnosine and other HCDs may have a role in improving lipid profiles. Larger studies with sufficient follow-up are necessary to confirm these findings and explore the use of HCDs in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. SYSTEMIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42017075354.