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Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral... Aug 2015This systematic review aimed to (1) explore the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) currently used in the oral mucosal disease literature and report on the type... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to (1) explore the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) currently used in the oral mucosal disease literature and report on the type and context of the use of these instruments and (2) provide a future direction for PROMs in Oral Medicine practice and research.
STUDY DESIGN
A systematic review of published English-language articles relating to the use of PROMs in the oral mucosal diseases literature was performed in November 2013.
RESULTS
In total, 131 articles met the inclusion criteria; these articles addressed the following oral mucosal conditions: lichen planus (75); recurrent aphthous stomatitis (30); mucous membrane pemphigoid/pemphigus vulgaris (14); orofacial granulomatosis (1); and multiple oral mucosal diseases (11). The most commonly used instruments were visual analog scales (VAS) and the oral health impact profile (OHIP).
CONCLUSIONS
Limited progress has been achieved with use of PROMs in Oral Medicine in the last few decades in both clinical practice and a research setting. With the engagement of allied medical disciplines in PROM usage and the promotion of PROMs by national health care bodies globally, advancement of PROMs is imperative for Oral Medicine. Exposure through the World Workshop on Oral Medicine (WWOM), along with potential involvement in the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) or other such initiatives, will enable worldwide collaboration to promote the development and utilization of valid and reliable PROMs in oral medicine, and improve patient care.
Topics: Humans; Mouth Diseases; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Self Report
PubMed: 25934415
DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2015.01.023 -
Forensic Science, Medicine, and... Jun 2021Although many clinical reports have been published, little is known about the pathological post-mortem findings from people who have died of the novel coronavirus...
Although many clinical reports have been published, little is known about the pathological post-mortem findings from people who have died of the novel coronavirus disease. The need for postmortem information is urgent to improve patient management of mild and severe illness, and treatment strategies. The present systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. A systematic literature search and a critical review of the collected studies were conducted. An electronic search of PubMed, Science Direct Scopus, Google Scholar, and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) from database inception to June 2020 was performed. We found 28 scientific papers; the total amount of cases is 341. The major histological feature in the lung is diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membrane formation, alongside microthrombi in small pulmonary vessels. It appears that there is a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism among COVID-19 decedents, suggesting endothelial involvement, but more studies are needed. A uniform COVID-19 post-mortem diagnostic protocol has not yet been developed. In a time in which international collaboration is essential, standardized diagnostic criteria are fundamental requirements.
Topics: Alveolar Epithelial Cells; Autopsy; Brain; COVID-19; Fibrin; Fibroblasts; Humans; Kidney; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lung; Myositis; Respiratory Mucosa; Thrombosis
PubMed: 33026628
DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00310-8 -
Preventive Veterinary Medicine Feb 2017Infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) results in major economic losses either directly through decreased productive performance in cattle herds or... (Review)
Review
Infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) results in major economic losses either directly through decreased productive performance in cattle herds or indirectly, such as through expenses for control programs. The aim of this systematic review was to review financial and/or economic assessment studies of prevention and/or mitigation activities of BVDV at national, regional and farm level worldwide. Once all predefined criteria had been met, 35 articles were included for this systematic review. Studies were analyzed with particular focus on the type of financially and/or economically-assessed prevention and/or mitigation activities. Due to the wide range of possible prevention and/or mitigation activities, these activities were grouped into five categories: i) control and/or eradication programs, ii) monitoring or surveillance, iii) prevention, iv) vaccination and v) individual culling, control and testing strategies. Additionally, the studies were analyzed according to economically-related variables such as efficiency, costs or benefits of prevention and/or mitigation activities, the applied financial and/or economic and statistical methods, the payers of prevention and/or mitigation activities, the assessed production systems, and the countries for which such evaluations are available. Financial and/or economic assessments performed in Europe were dominated by those from the United Kingdom, which assessed mostly vaccination strategies, and Norway which primarily carried out assessments in the area of control and eradication programs; whereas among non-European countries the United States carried out the majority of financial and/or economic assessments in the area of individual culling, control and testing. More than half of all studies provided an efficiency calculation of prevention and/or mitigation activities and demonstrated whether the inherent costs of implemented activities were or were not justified. The dairy sector was three times more likely to be assessed by the countries than beef production systems. In addition, the dairy sector was approximately eight times more likely to be assessed economically with respect to prevention and/or mitigation activities than calf and youngstock production systems. Furthermore, the private sector was identified as the primary payer of prevention and/or mitigation activities. This systematic review demonstrated a lack of studies relating to efficiency calculations, in particular at national and regional level, and the specific production systems. Thus, we confirmed the need for more well-designed studies in animal health economics in order to demonstrate that the implementation and inherent costs of BVDV prevention and/or mitigation activities are justified.
Topics: Animals; Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease; Cattle; Costs and Cost Analysis; Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral
PubMed: 28040270
DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.12.014 -
Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology 2020Cetuximab (CTX) has been approved to be administered concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) to treat locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim... (Review)
Review
Comparative efficacy and safety of radiotherapy/cetuximab radiotherapy/chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients: a systematic review of published, primarily non-randomized, data.
BACKGROUND
Cetuximab (CTX) has been approved to be administered concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) to treat locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of concurrent CTX with RT (ExRT).
METHOD
The databases were systematically searched to find relevant articles. The combined hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval were calculated to assess the efficacy and safety of ExRT in contrast to concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy with RT (ChRT).
RESULTS
In total, 32 articles with 4556 patients were included. The pooled HRs indicated that ExRT achieved an unfavorable overall survival (HR: 1.86, < 0.0001), disease-specific survival (HR: 2.58, = 0.002), locoregional control (HR: 1.94, < 0.00001), and progression-free survival (HR: 2.04, = 0.003) compared with ChRT for locally advanced HNSCC patients. In human papillomavirus-positive patient subgroups, ExRT showed inferior disease-specific survival (HR: 2.55, = 0.009) and locoregional control (HR: 2.27, < 0.0001) in contrast to ChRT. Additionally, ExRT increased the occurrence of mucositis (RR: 1.17, < 0.005), skin toxicity (RR: 6.26, < 0.00001), and infection (RR: 2.27, = 0.04) compared with non-CTX groups (ChRT and RT), and was associated with lower incidence of anemia (RR: 0.35, = 0.009), leukocytopenia (RR: 0.17, < 0.0001), neutropenia (RR: 0.06, < 0.0001), nausea/vomiting (RR: 0.23, < 0.0001), and renal toxicity (RR: 0.14, = 0.007).
CONCLUSION
ChRT should remain the standard treatment for locally advanced HNSCC patients. ExRT was recognized as an effective alternative treatment for locally advanced HNSCC patients who experienced unbearable toxicities caused by non-CTX treatments.
PubMed: 33343720
DOI: 10.1177/1758835920975355 -
PloS One 2014To assess biodegradable nasal packing effectiveness for improving postoperative symptoms and mucosal healing after endoscopic sinonasal surgery as compared with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To assess biodegradable nasal packing effectiveness for improving postoperative symptoms and mucosal healing after endoscopic sinonasal surgery as compared with conventional/non-packing groups.
METHODS
Relevant articles were searched on PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared biodegradable packings with conventional packings or no packing, reporting postoperative symptoms and/or mucosal healing outcomes.
RESULTS
This review included 19 studies, of which 11 compared biodegradable packings with conventional packings. Meta-analysis found that biodegradable packings significantly improved postoperative symptoms: bleeding at removal, pain at removal, pain in situ, and nasal blockage. Mucosal healing outcomes were inconsistent within studies, with no data could be pooled. Eight studies compared biodegradable packings with non-packing group. Postoperative symptom data in this comparison could not be pooled: A protective or equal effect on postoperative bleeding was reported in different studies; no difference was reported in pain status and nasal blockage. As for mucosal healing, meta-analysis showed that two arms of comparison had similar effect on synechiae, edema, infection and granulation at each time point.
CONCLUSION
The limiting evidence suggests that biodegradable nasal packings are statistically better than conventional packings in postoperative symptoms, and probably comparable to non-packing group, as in this comparison we could not carry out meta-analysis. No beneficial or detrimental effect on postoperative mucosal healing could be determined based on existing evidence.
Topics: Endoscopy; Humans; Nasal Obstruction; Nasal Surgical Procedures; Paranasal Sinuses; Postoperative Care; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 25526585
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115458 -
Epidemiological Situation of Monkeypox Transmission by Possible Sexual Contact: A Systematic Review.Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Sep 2022Monkeypox (MPX), a zoonotic infection caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), has re-emerged worldwide with numerous confirmed cases with person-to-person transmission... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox (MPX), a zoonotic infection caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), has re-emerged worldwide with numerous confirmed cases with person-to-person transmission through close contacts, including in sexual networks. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the epidemiological situation of monkeypox transmission by possible sexual contact. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until 18 August 2022. The key search terms used were "monkeypox", "sexual contact", "sexual intercourse" and "sexual transmission". A total of 1291 articles were retrieved using the search strategy. After eliminating duplicates (n = 738) and examining by title, abstract, and full text, 28 studies reporting case reports of monkeypox with a detailed description of clinical features, sexually transmitted diseases, method of diagnosis, location and course of skin lesions, and treatment were included. A total of 4222 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported, of which 3876 monkeypox cases are the result of transmission by sexual contact distributed in twelve countries: 4152 cases were male with a mean age of 36 years. All confirmed cases of monkeypox were diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever, lymphadenopathy, headache, malaise, and painful perianal and genital lesions. The most frequent locations of the lesions were perianal, genital, oral, trunk, upper and lower extremities. Patients were in good clinical condition, with treatment based on analgesics and antipyretics to relieve some symptoms of monkeypox. A high proportion of STIs and frequent anogenital symptoms were found, suggesting transmissibility through local inoculation during close skin-to-skin or mucosal contact during sexual activity. The highest risk of monkeypox transmission occurs in men who have sex with men, and MPXV DNA could be recovered in seminal fluid. It is essential to establish health policies for the early detection and management of patients with monkeypox.
PubMed: 36288008
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100267 -
The Veterinary Record Sep 2017Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a significant drain on efficient and successful cattle production in both dairy and beef systems around the world. Several countries have... (Review)
Review
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a significant drain on efficient and successful cattle production in both dairy and beef systems around the world. Several countries have achieved eradication of this disease, but always through the motivation of stakeholders who accept the benefits of eradication. These include increased cattle welfare and fitness of cattle to withstand other diseases, and decreased costs of production, the latter resulting from both decreased costs spent on managing the disease and decreased losses. This paper provides a systematic review of 31 papers, published between 1991 and 2015, that address the economic impact of BVD. Each paper takes a different approach, in either beef or dairy production or both. However with the breadth of work collated, a stakeholder engaged in BVD eradication should find an economic figure of most relevance to them. The reported economic impact ranges from £0 to £552 per cow per year (£2370 including outliers). This range represents endemic or subclinical disease situations seen in herds with stable BVD virus infection, and epidemic or severe acute situations, most often seen in naïve herds. The outcome of infection is therefore dependent on the immune status of the animal and severity of the strain. The variations in figures for the economic impact of BVD relate to these immune and pathogenicity factors, along with the variety of impacts monitored.
Topics: Animals; Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease; Cattle; Diarrhea; Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral; Farmers; Female; Veterinarians
PubMed: 28851755
DOI: 10.1136/vr.104370 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Aug 2014Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgical treatment of choice for many patients with medically refractory ulcerative... (Review)
Review
Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgical treatment of choice for many patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). UC patients with IPAA (UC-IPAA) are, nevertheless, susceptible to inflammatory and noninflammatory sequelae such as pouchitis, which is only rarely noted in FAP patients with IPAA. Pouchitis is the most frequent long-term complication of UC-IPAA patients, with a cumulative prevalence of up to 50%. Although the aetiology of pouchitis remains unclear, accumulating evidence suggests that a dysbiosis of the pouch microbiota and an abnormal mucosal immune response are implicated in its pathogenesis. Studies using culture and molecular techniques have detected a dysbiosis of the pouch microbiota in patients with pouchitis. Risk factors, genetic associations, and serological markers suggest that interactions between the host immune response and the pouch microbiota underlie the aetiology of this idiopathic inflammatory condition. This systematic review focuses on the dysbiosis of the microbiota that inhabit the pouch in UC and FAP patients and its interaction with the mucosal immune system. A meta-analysis was not attempted due to the highly heterogeneous microbiota composition and the different detection methods used by the various studies. Although no specific bacterial species, genus, or family has as yet been identified as pathogenic, there is evidence that a dysbiosis characterized by decreased gut microbiota diversity in UC-IPAA patients may, in genetically predisposed subjects, lead to aberrant mucosal immune regulation triggering an inflammatory process.
Topics: Bacteria; Colitis, Ulcerative; Dysbiosis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Mucosal; Inflammation Mediators; Pouchitis; Proctocolectomy, Restorative; Risk Factors
PubMed: 25110406
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9665 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a massive challenge in Africa due to overwhelmed and underresourced health systems, as well as the existing burden of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a massive challenge in Africa due to overwhelmed and underresourced health systems, as well as the existing burden of communicable and non- communicable diseases. Self-inoculation may occur when an individual touches their mucous membrane following direct contact between their hands and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-contaminated surfaces. Therefore, handwashing can be used along with COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the burden of COVID-19. We were interested in investigating the levels of handwashing and vaccine uptake to control and prevent COVID-19 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania using a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, African Index Medicus and African Journals Online for studies published since inception to 31 January 2023. We included all studies that assessed: the levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitance as indicators of vaccine uptake; and studies on the levels of handwashing to prevent and control COVID-19 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Study findings were synthesized by meta-analysis to get the pooled effect measure. Three studies were synthesized qualitatively due to high level of heterogeneity in effect measure precluding a quantitative meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Our search identified 128 articles of which 17 studies with 18,305 participants and 622 vaccination sites were reviewed with 14 of them being meta-analyzed. This systematic review and meta-analysis reports high levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and handwashing in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania at 67% (95% CI: 55, 78) and 88% (95% CI: 73, 97), respectively. Vaccine hesitance among the participants was low at 31% (95% CI: 15, 49).
DISCUSSION
Despite their importance in the control and prevention of COVID-19, some countries do not implement handwashing and vaccination effectively. There is a need for public health strategies to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing and the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO ID CRD42023394698.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; Kenya; Tanzania; Hand Disinfection; Uganda
PubMed: 38026286
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1256007 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2021Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is associated with a variety of infectious complications...
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is associated with a variety of infectious complications which result in significant morbidity and mortality. These patients are profoundly immunocompromised, and immune reconstitution after HSCT generally occurs in astrictly defined order. During the early phase after HSCT until engraftment, patients are at risk of infections due to presence of neutropenia and mucosal damage, with Gramme-positive and Gramme-negative bacteria and fungi being the predominant pathogens. After neutrophil recovery, the profound impairment of cell-mediated immunity and use of glucocorticosteroids for control of graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD) increases the risk of invasive mould infection and infection or reactivation of various viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus and human adenovirus. In the late phase, characterised by impaired cellular and humoral immunity, particularly in conjunction with chronic GvHD, invasive infections with encapsulated bacterial infections are observed in addition to fungal and viral infections. HSCT also causes a loss of pretransplant naturally acquired and vaccine-acquired immunity; therefore, complete reimmunization is necessary to maintain long-term health in these patients. During the last two decades, major advances have been made in our understanding of and in the control of infectious complications associated with HSCT. In this article, we review current recommendations for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications following HSCT for ALL in childhood.
PubMed: 35223707
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.782530