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Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2023Penile injection of foreign materials is an obsolete practice often performed by non-medical personnel in order to enlarge penile size. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Penile injection of foreign materials is an obsolete practice often performed by non-medical personnel in order to enlarge penile size.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature from 1956 to 2022 was conducted in accordance with the general guidelines recommended by the Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. We included full papers published from 1956 to 2022. We also described a case report of a 23 year old Bulgarian male affected by penile paraffinoma who underwent a 2-stages surgical technique.
RESULTS
A total of 152 cases have been reported, with a median age of 37.9 ranging from 18 to 64 years. Six different techniques have been described in the whole literature: bilateral scrotal flap, simple excision of the paraffinoma with primary closure, two-stage scrotum skin flap, medial prepuce-soprapubic advancement flap technique and penile reconstruction using split thickness skin graft (STSG) or full thickness skin graft (FTSG). An analysis of the distribution among early and late complications was then carried out.
CONCLUSION
In our experience, among the variety of surgical techniques described, a two-stage penile reconstruction using scrotal skin results in excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes, with a low rate of complications.
PubMed: 37048687
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12072604 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) Jan 2017Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) are associated with response and resistance to targeted therapy. The EGFR mutation... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) are associated with response and resistance to targeted therapy. The EGFR mutation status in patients with advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) was evaluated. A systematic literature review was undertaken to summarize current evidence and estimate the overall prevalence of EGFR TKD mutations in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples of 113 patients with OOSCC. Pyrosequencing was performed to investigate mutations in EGFR exons 18 to 21. Medline databases were searched for relevant studies. Studies reporting mutations in the EGFR TKD in HNSCC were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review.
RESULTS
No mutations in the EGFR TKD were observed in 113 samples of OOSCC. A total of 53 eligible studies were included in the systematic review. In total, from the review, 117 patients harboring a total of 159 EGFR TKD mutations were reported among 4122 patients with HNSCC. The overall prevalence of EGFR TKD mutations in HNSCC was 2.8%.
CONCLUSION
Large-scale studies are warranted to provide further evidence regarding the mutation status of EGFR in patients with HNSCC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; ErbB Receptors; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Staging; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate
PubMed: 28064216
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11020 -
Cancer Medicine Jan 2015Metastasis to the periocular soft tissue of the orbit is a rare manifestation of metastatic cancer. Infiltrating lobular breast cancer (ILBC) is a special breast cancer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Metastasis to the periocular soft tissue of the orbit is a rare manifestation of metastatic cancer. Infiltrating lobular breast cancer (ILBC) is a special breast cancer subtype, which accounts for 10-15% of all mammary carcinomas and for ~1% of all malignancies. Here, we report on a high frequency of lobular breast cancer in patients with orbital metastases identified in an original series of metastatic tumor specimens and by a systematic literature review. A series of 14 orbital metastases was compiled from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archival tissues. All cases were subjected to histological re-review and detailed immunophenotypical characterization. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of 68 previously published case reports describing orbital metastases, with special reference to breast cancer subtypes. Based on clinical history, histomorphology, immunophenotype, and/or comparison with matched primary tumors, orbital metastases were derived from breast cancer in 8/14 cases, seven of which were classified as metastatic lobular breast cancer. Other entities included non-small cell lung cancer (4/14), infiltrating ductal breast cancer (1/14), prostate cancer (1/14) and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (1/14). In line with this original series of orbital metastases, lobular breast cancer was the most common malignancy in 72 patients with orbital metastases described in 68 independent case reports. In conclusion, lobular breast cancer represents the cancer subtype with the highest prevalence among orbital metastases. The high frequency of ILBC in orbital metastases illustrates the special metastatic behavior of this tumor entity and may have implications for the understanding of the organotropism of metastatic lobular breast cancer.
Topics: Biopsy; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Lobular; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Staging; Orbital Neoplasms
PubMed: 25355547
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.331 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2021Alo vera is a centenary remedy use for minor wounds and burns, but its mechanism of wound healing has not been know since. This article will evaluate and gather evidence...
Alo vera is a centenary remedy use for minor wounds and burns, but its mechanism of wound healing has not been know since. This article will evaluate and gather evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the use of aloe vera in the treatment of burns. A systematic review was carried out on the databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, DECS, SCIELO, in the last 7 years, with the descriptors: "Aloe", "Burns" and "treatment". 16 articles were found. After using the exclusion criteria; research in non-humans and literature review; 5 articles were selected. The article Teplick et al. (2018) performed an in vitro clinical experiment in A. Vera solution, and demonstrated that there was proliferation and cell migration of human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes, in addition to being protective in the death of keratonocytes. That is, it accelerates the healing of wounds. Muangman et al. (2016), evaluated 50 patients with 20% of the total body surface area burned with second-degree burns, between 18-60 years old, with half of the group receiving gauze dressings with soft paraffin containing 0.5% chlorhexidine acetate and the other half receiving polyester dressings containing extracts of medicinal plants mainly Aloe Vera. It had positive results, a higher healing speed and shorter hospital stay compared to the control group. Hwang et al. (2015) investigated the antioxidant effects of different extracts from 2,4,6,8,12 months of Aloe Vera. And the 6-month concentrated extract of 0.25 mg / mL had a higher content of flavonoids (9.750 mg catechin equivalent / g extract) and polyphenols (23.375 mg gallic acid equivalent / g extract) and the greater ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.047 mM equivalent ferrous sulfate / mg extract), that is, greater potential for free radical scavenging and also a protective effect against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), suggesting evidence of a bioactive potential of A. vera . However, in the article Kolacz et al. (2014) suggested as an alternative treatment the use of Aloe Vera dressing in combination with honey, lanolin, olive oil, wheat germ oil, marshmallow root, wormwood, comfrey root, white oak bark, lobelia inflata, glycerin vegetable oil, beeswax and myrrh, without obtaining significant and conclusive results that would allow the conventional treatment of burns to be subsidized. Finally, in the article by Zurita and Gallegos (2017), it carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study with 321 people, both sexes between 17-76 years of age, of an inductive nature, exploring the experience of this population and their behavioral attitudes regarding the treatment of dermatoses. Aloe vera had 13.8% cited by individuals in the treatment of acne and 33.6% in the treatment of burns. Even with evidence that suggests the efficacy in the treatment of burns with the use of Aloe Vera extract, further clinical trials with larger sample space on the use of Aloe vera dressings in medium burns are suggested for further conclusions.
Topics: Aloe; Burns; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34550291
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.249209 -
Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology &... Nov 2014Constipation is an uncomfortable and common condition that affects many, irrespective of age. Since 1500 BC and before, health care practitioners have provided... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Constipation is an uncomfortable and common condition that affects many, irrespective of age. Since 1500 BC and before, health care practitioners have provided treatments and prevention strategies to patients for chronic constipation despite the significant variation in both medical and personal perceptions of the condition.
OBJECTIVE
To review relevant research evidence from clinical studies investigating the efficacy and safety of commercially available pharmacological laxatives in Canada, with emphasis on studies adopting the Rome criteria for defining functional constipation.
SEARCH METHODS
PubMed, Medline, Embase and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews databases were searched for blinded or randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses assessing the efficacy of nonstimulant and stimulant laxatives for the treatment of functional constipation.
RESULTS
A total of 19 clinical studies and four meta-analyses were retrieved and abstracted regarding study design, participants, interventions and outcomes. The majority of studies focused on polyethylene glycol compared with placebo. Both nonstimulant and stimulant laxatives provided better relief of constipation symptoms than placebo according to both objective and subjective measures. Only one study compared the efficacy of a nonstimulant versus a stimulant laxative, while only two reported changes in quality of life. All studies reported minor side effects due to laxative use, regardless of treatment duration, which ranged from one week to one year. Laxatives were well tolerated by both adults and children.
Topics: Bisacodyl; Canada; Citrates; Constipation; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Humans; Lactulose; Laxatives; Magnesium Oxide; Organometallic Compounds; Paraffin; Picolines; Polyethylene Glycols; Psyllium; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25390617
DOI: 10.1155/2014/631740 -
BMC Cancer Mar 2015Patient response to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is extremely heterogeneous and there are currently no tools to aid the prediction of sensitivity or resistance to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Patient response to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is extremely heterogeneous and there are currently no tools to aid the prediction of sensitivity or resistance to chemotherapy and allow treatment stratification. Such a tool could greatly improve patient survival by identifying the most appropriate treatment on a patient-specific basis.
METHODS
PubMed was searched for studies predicting response or resistance to chemotherapy using gene expression measurements of human tissue in ovarian cancer.
RESULTS
42 studies were identified and both the data collection and modelling methods were compared. The majority of studies utilised fresh-frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Modelling techniques varied, the most popular being Cox proportional hazards regression and hierarchical clustering which were used by 17 and 11 studies respectively. The gene signatures identified by the various studies were not consistent, with very few genes being identified by more than two studies. Patient cohorts were often noted to be heterogeneous with respect to chemotherapy treatment undergone by patients.
CONCLUSIONS
A clinically applicable gene signature capable of predicting patient response to chemotherapy has not yet been identified. Research into a predictive, as opposed to prognostic, model could be highly beneficial and aid the identification of the most suitable treatment for patients.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Predictive Value of Tests
PubMed: 25886033
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1101-8 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2015This article describes the second update of a Cochrane review on the effectiveness of laxatives for the management of constipation in people receiving palliative care.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This article describes the second update of a Cochrane review on the effectiveness of laxatives for the management of constipation in people receiving palliative care. Previous versions were published in 2006 and 2010 where we also evaluated trials of methylnaltrexone; these trials have been removed as they are included in another review in press. In these earlier versions, we drew no conclusions on individual effectiveness of different laxatives because of the limited number of evaluations. This is despite constipation being common in palliative care, generating considerable suffering due to the unpleasant physical symptoms and the availability of a wide range of laxatives with known differences in effect in other populations.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness and differential efficacy of laxatives used to manage constipation in people receiving palliative care.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science (SCI & CPCI-S) for trials to September 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating laxatives for constipation in people receiving palliative care.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors assessed trial quality and extracted data. The appropriateness of combining data from the studies depended upon clinical and outcome measure homogeneity.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified five studies involving the laxatives lactulose, senna, co-danthramer, misrakasneham, docusate and magnesium hydroxide with liquid paraffin. Overall, the study findings were at an unclear risk of bias. As all five studies compared different laxatives or combinations of laxatives, it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis. There was no evidence on whether individual laxatives were more effective than others or caused fewer adverse effects.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This second update found that laxatives were of similar effectiveness but the evidence remains limited due to insufficient data from a few small RCTs. None of the studies evaluated polyethylene glycol or any intervention given rectally. There is a need for more trials to evaluate the effectiveness of laxatives in palliative care populations. Extrapolating findings on the effectiveness of laxatives evaluated in other populations should proceed with caution. This is because of the differences inherent in people receiving palliative care that may impact, in a likely negative way, on the effect of a laxative.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Anthraquinones; Cathartics; Constipation; Humans; Lactulose; Magnesium Hydroxide; Naltrexone; Palliative Care; Paraffin; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Senna Extract
PubMed: 25967924
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003448.pub4 -
Asian Journal of Andrology 2019Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection appears to play an important role in the development of penile cancer (PeCa), but their relationship remains unclear. Therefore, we... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection appears to play an important role in the development of penile cancer (PeCa), but their relationship remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate their relationship. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for case-control studies and cross-sectional studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or paraffin-embedded (PE) PeCa tissues to detect HPV (published between January 1, 2007, and December 29, 2017; no language restrictions). Twenty-two studies were identified, and 1664 cases were available for analysis. The combined HPV infectious risk of PeCa is 51.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.0%-60.0%). The three most common subtypes of HPV were HPV16 (28.5%), HPV18 (2.3%), and HPV6 (2.3%). The virus was relevantly associated with basaloid (85.5%, 95% CI: 77.2%-93.8%) and warty (50.0%, 95% CI: 35.2%-64.8%) carcinomas. The invasiveness of PeCa was not associated with HPV (χ = 0.181, df = 1, P < 0.671). HPV infection in PeCa tended to be moderately differentiated (54.4%, 95% CI: 47.7%-61.1%). This study found that almost half of PeCa patients are associated with HPV. The most commonly associated genotype is HPV16, but several other genotypes were also detected. In addition to types 6 and 11, other single low-risk HPV infections have been found to contribute to PeCa to a lesser degree. HPV-positive tumors tend to exhibit warty and/or basaloid features, corresponding to a moderate histological grade. The role of HPV in PeCa should be revisited to provide evidence for the development of PeCa in the presence of HPV infection.
Topics: Humans; Male; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Penile Neoplasms; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31134917
DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_39_19 -
Virus Research Oct 2023To review the available studies on the frequency of detection of the bovine leukemia virus in human samples, a systematic review with meta-analysis of the scientific... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
To review the available studies on the frequency of detection of the bovine leukemia virus in human samples, a systematic review with meta-analysis of the scientific literature was carried out, including papers published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese in 5 multidisciplinary databases. We collected information from different populations following a detailed and reproducible search protocol in which two researchers verified the inclusion and exclusion criteria. We identified 759 articles, of which only 33 met the inclusion criteria. Analyzed studies reported that the presence of the virus was measured in human samples, such as paraffin-embedded breast tissue and peripheral blood from 10,398 individuals, through serological and molecular techniques. An overall virus frequency of 27% (Ranging between 17 and 37%) was observed, with a high-frequency data heterogeneity between studies. The presence of this virus in different human biological samples suggests the need to investigate further its transmission route to humans and its potential role in developing and progressing diseases.
Topics: Humans; Leukemia Virus, Bovine
PubMed: 37532141
DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199186 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Jul 2023This review aims to determine the potential role of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) in the pathogenesis of cervical squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This review aims to determine the potential role of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) in the pathogenesis of cervical squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.
METHODS
A PRISMA systematic search appraisal was conducted. The Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases for publications in English were searched up to September 2022 for all relevant articles. All articles that have outlined the contributions of the MCPyV to cervical squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas were included.
RESULTS
The six databases produced 6806 articles. Only six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included. The protocol of this review was submitted and registered with the PROSPERO (Code no. CRD42022369197). The total sample size across the articles was 1135; the age of the participants ranged between 18 and 75 years. In addition, the included articles were conducted between 2012 to 2016. All included articles have a cross-sectional design.Furthermore, different kinds of samples were collected in the reviewed articles, namely cervical tissue biopsies, cervical smears, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded resection specimens, and cervical adenocarcinomas. Moreover, five articles showed no statistically significant association between the MCPyV and cervical squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. In contrast, one article revealed a positive association between MCPyV and cervical squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.
CONCLUSIONS
MCPyV could not be associated with the pathogenesis of cervical squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. Further attention should be given to examining this association, and further studies with a large sample size are recommended to confirm these findings.
Topics: Humans; Female; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Adenocarcinoma; Polyomavirus Infections; Merkel cell polyomavirus; Tumor Virus Infections; Middle Aged; Adult; Aged
PubMed: 38784202
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v33i4.18