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International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has emerged as a novel approach in the field of health and wellness. It is believed to have therapeutic antioxidant properties that can... (Review)
Review
Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has emerged as a novel approach in the field of health and wellness. It is believed to have therapeutic antioxidant properties that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the human body. It has also been shown to be beneficial in mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage through its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways. We aim to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water. The review protocol was uploaded on PROSPERO. After the initial search criteria, the articles were reviewed by two blinded investigators, and a total of 25 articles were included in the systematic review. The potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water on various aspects of health, including exercise capacity, physical endurance, liver function, cardiovascular disease, mental health, COVID-19, oxidative stress, and anti-aging research, are a subject of growing interest and ongoing research. Although preliminary results in clinical trials and studies are encouraging, further research with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies is needed to substantiate these findings. Current research needs to fully explain the mechanisms behind the potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water. Continued scientific exploration will provide valuable insights into the potential of hydrogen-rich water as an adjunctive therapeutic approach in the future.
Topics: Humans; Health Status; Mental Health; Hydrogen; Water; Deception
PubMed: 38256045
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020973 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) Sep 2023With the increasingly demanding healthcare environment, patient safety issues are only becoming more complex. This urges nursing leaders to adapt and master effective... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With the increasingly demanding healthcare environment, patient safety issues are only becoming more complex. This urges nursing leaders to adapt and master effective leadership; particularly, transformational leadership (TFL) is shown to scientifically be the most successfully recognized leadership style in healthcare, focusing on relationship building while putting followers in power and emphasizing values and vision.
AIM
To examine how transformational leadership affects nurses' job environment and nursing care provided to the patients and patients' outcomes.
DESIGN
A systematic literature review was conducted. From 71 reviewed, 23 studies were included (studies included questionnaire surveys and one interview, extracting barriers and facilitators, and analyzing using qualitative synthesis).
RESULT
TFL indirectly and directly positively affects nurses' work environment through mediators, including structural empowerment, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. Nurses perceived that managers' TFL behavior did not attain excellence in any of the included organizations, highlighting the necessity for additional leadership training to enhance the patient safety culture related to the non-reporting of errors and to mitigate the blame culture within the nursing environment.
CONCLUSION
Bringing more focus to leadership education in nursing can make future nursing leaders more effective, which will cultivate efficient teamwork, a quality nursing work environment, and, ultimately, safe and efficient patient outcomes. This study was not registered.
PubMed: 37755351
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep13030108 -
Cureus Dec 2023With increasing life expectancy, the quest for skin rejuvenation has gained prominence among individuals of diverse age groups. The popularity of nutricosmetics, notably... (Review)
Review
With increasing life expectancy, the quest for skin rejuvenation has gained prominence among individuals of diverse age groups. The popularity of nutricosmetics, notably dietary supplements, has garnered significant attention in recent years. Many scientific investigations have amassed compelling evidence highlighting the positive impact of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation in mitigating the visible signs of skin aging. This study aims to know the powerful effect of hydrolyzed collagen on the skin. This research method is to conduct a systematic review followed by a meta-analysis of the clinical trial focusing on randomized, double-blind, and controlled trials that examined the oral consumption of hydrolyzed collagen and reported outcomes related to skin aging, wrinkles, moisture levels, elasticity, and firmness. The selected articles from CENTRAL, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases were published from 2017 to 2023. The subsequent meta-analysis, comprising 14 distinct studies and a collective cohort of 967 participants, revealed encouraging findings favoring hydrolyzed collagen supplementation. It consistently demonstrated substantial enhancements in skin moisture levels and elasticity compared to the placebo group, a trend robustly corroborated by subgroup analysis. These compelling findings underscore the effectiveness of a 12-week regimen of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation in revitalizing the skin by augmenting its hydration and elasticity.
PubMed: 38192916
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50231 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are currently the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with coronary heart disease being the primary cause. The Mediterranean Diet (MD)... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are currently the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with coronary heart disease being the primary cause. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been highlighted for its potential in providing greater protection against CVDs. This study aims to present an updated systematic review that examines the impact of MD on mortality and CVDs, both in the general population and in patients with a prior CVD, while also considering the potential influence of gender. We conducted a systematic review. After the selection process, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings from these studies consistently demonstrate that higher adherence to the MD is associated with a reduced risk of overall mortality, both in the general population and in patients with previous CVDs. Moreover, evidence suggests that following this dietary pattern likely decreases the risk of CVDs such as heart attacks, various types of coronary artery disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. While some studies have identified differences in the benefits of the MD between men and women, it is important to note that these disparities may be attributed to lower event rates and a generally lower cardiovascular risk profile in women. Thus, the observed variations in outcomes should be interpreted in the context of these factors. Adherence to the MD has the potential to improve survival rates and reduce the risk of CVDs in both the general population and individuals with a prior CVD. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms underlying the protective effects of this dietary pattern and to better understand the role gender-related differences in its outcomes. Nevertheless, promoting the adoption of the MD could be an effective strategy for mitigating the burden of CVDs globally.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet, Mediterranean; Risk Factors; Secondary Prevention; Coronary Artery Disease; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 37571293
DOI: 10.3390/nu15153356 -
CA: a Cancer Journal For Clinicians 2023Increased attention to the rehabilitation needs of children with cancer is vital to enhance health, quality-of-life, and productivity outcomes. Among adults with cancer,... (Review)
Review
Increased attention to the rehabilitation needs of children with cancer is vital to enhance health, quality-of-life, and productivity outcomes. Among adults with cancer, rehabilitation recommendations are frequently incorporated into guidelines, but the extent to which recommendations exist for children is unknown. Reports included in this systematic review are guideline or expert consensus reports containing recommendations related to rehabilitation referral, evaluation, and/or intervention for individuals diagnosed with cancer during childhood (younger than 18 years). Eligible reports were published in English from January 2000 to August 2022. Through database searches, 42,982 records were identified; 62 records were identified through citation and website searching. Twenty-eight reports were included in the review: 18 guidelines and 10 expert consensus reports. Rehabilitation recommendations were identified in disease-specific (e.g., acute lymphoblastic leukemia), impairment-specific (e.g., fatigue, neurocognition, pain), adolescent and young adult, and long-term follow-up reports. Example recommendations included physical activity and energy-conservation techniques to address fatigue, referral to physical therapy for chronic pain management, ongoing psychosocial surveillance, and referral to speech-language pathology for those with hearing loss. High-level evidence supported rehabilitation recommendations for long-term follow-up care, fatigue, and psychosocial/mental health screening. Few intervention recommendations were included in guideline and consensus reports. In this developing field, it is critical to include pediatric oncology rehabilitation providers in guideline and consensus development initiatives. This review enhances the availability and clarity of rehabilitation-relevant guidelines that can help prevent and mitigate cancer-related disability among children by supporting access to rehabilitation services.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Child; Consensus; Exercise; Delivery of Health Care; Neoplasms; Medical Oncology
PubMed: 37158423
DOI: 10.3322/caac.21783 -
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Jan 2024Recent progress in diagnostics and treatment of metastatic cancer patients have improved survival substantially. These developments also affect local therapies, with...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Recent progress in diagnostics and treatment of metastatic cancer patients have improved survival substantially. These developments also affect local therapies, with treatment aims shifting from short-term palliation to long-term symptom or disease control. There is consequently a need to better define the value of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of spinal metastases.
METHODS
This ESTRO clinical practice guideline is based on a systematic literature review conducted according to PRISMA standards, which formed the basis for answering four key questions about the indication and practice of SBRT for spine metastases.
RESULTS
The analysis of the key questions based on current evidence yielded 22 recommendations and 5 statements with varying levels of endorsement, all achieving a consensus among experts of at least 75%. In the majority, the level of evidence supporting the recommendations and statements was moderate or expert opinion, only, indicating that spine SBRT is still an evolving field of clinical research. Recommendations were established concerning the selection of appropriate patients with painful spine metastases and oligometastatic disease. Recommendations about the practice of spinal SBRT covered technical planning aspects including dose and fractionation, patient positioning, immobilization and image-guided SBRT delivery. Finally, recommendations were developed regarding quality assurance protocols, including description of potential SBRT-related toxicity and risk mitigation strategies.
CONCLUSIONS
This ESTRO clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations and statements regarding the selection of patients with spinal metastases for SBRT and its safe implementation and practice. Enrollment of patients into well-designed prospective clinical trials addressing clinically relevant questions is considered important.
Topics: Humans; Radiosurgery; Prospective Studies; Spinal Neoplasms; Dose Fractionation, Radiation; Spine
PubMed: 37925107
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109966 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Individuals diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Reducing low-density lipoprotein... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Individuals diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels has been established as an effective approach to mitigate these risks. However, a comprehensive and up-to-date meta-analysis investigating the LDL-C-lowering effectiveness and the impact on coronary atherosclerotic plaque compositions of Ezetimibe has been lacking.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review by meticulously analyzing databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of ezetimibe in lowering LDL-C levels and its influence on coronary atherosclerotic plaques among individuals with ACD. This review encompassed studies available until August 1, 2023. In our analysis, we employed the weighted mean difference (WMD) as the aggregated statistical measure, accompanied by the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
We encompassed a total of 20 eligible studies. Our findings unveiled that the combined therapy involving ezetimibe alongside statins led to a more substantial absolute decrease in LDL-C in comparison to using statins alone. This difference in means amounted to (-14.06 mg/dl; 95% CI -18.0 to -10.0; = 0.0001). Furthermore, upon conducting subgroup analyses, it became evident that the intervention strategies proved effective in diminishing the volume of dense calcification (DC) in contrast to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study findings indicate that the inclusion of ezetimibe in conjunction with statin therapy leads to a modest yet meaningful additional reduction in LDL-C levels when compared to using statins in isolation. Importantly, the introduction of ezetimibe resulted in a significant decrease in the volume of DC. However, it is worth noting that further investigation is warranted to delve deeper into this phenomenon.
PubMed: 38075958
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1269172 -
Journal of Biomedical Informatics Nov 2023Adequate methods to promptly translate digital health innovations for improved patient care are essential. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Adequate methods to promptly translate digital health innovations for improved patient care are essential. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have been sources of digital innovation and hold the promise to revolutionize the way we treat, manage and diagnose patients. Understanding the benefits but also the potential adverse effects of digital health innovations, particularly when these are made available or applied on healthier segments of the population is essential. One of such adverse effects is overdiagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
to comprehensively analyze quantification strategies and data-driven definitions for overdiagnosis reported in the literature.
METHODS
we conducted a scoping systematic review of manuscripts describing quantitative methods to estimate the proportion of overdiagnosed patients.
RESULTS
we identified 46 studies that met our inclusion criteria. They covered a variety of clinical conditions, primarily breast and prostate cancer. Methods to quantify overdiagnosis included both prospective and retrospective methods including randomized clinical trials, and simulations.
CONCLUSION
a variety of methods to quantify overdiagnosis have been published, producing widely diverging results. A standard method to quantify overdiagnosis is needed to allow its mitigation during the rapidly increasing development of new digital diagnostic tools.
Topics: Male; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Artificial Intelligence; Overdiagnosis; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 37769829
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2023.104506 -
Neurosurgery Sep 2023Focused ultrasound (FUS-T) and stereotactic radiosurgery thalamotomy (SRS-T) targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus are effective incisionless surgeries for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Focused ultrasound (FUS-T) and stereotactic radiosurgery thalamotomy (SRS-T) targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus are effective incisionless surgeries for essential tremor (ET). However, their efficacy for tremor reduction and, importantly, adverse event incidence have not been directly compared.
OBJECTIVE
To present a comprehensive systematic review with network meta-analysis examining both efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of FUS-T vs SRS-T for treating medically refractory ET.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using the PubMed and Embase databases. We included all primary FUS-T/SRS-T studies with approximately 1-year follow-up, with unilateral Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale or Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor scores prethalamotomy/post-thalamotomy and/or AEs. The primary efficacy outcome was Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale A+B score reduction. AEs were reported as an estimated incidence.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies of 464 patients and 3 studies of 62 patients met inclusion criteria for FUS-T/SRS-T efficacy comparison, respectively. Network meta-analysis demonstrated similar tremor reduction between modalities (absolute tremor reduction: FUS-T: -11.6 (95% CI: -13.3, -9.9); SRS-T: -10.3 (95% CI: -14.2, -6.0). FUS-T had a greater 1-year adverse event rate, particularly imbalance and gait disturbances (10.5%) and sensory disturbances (8.3%). Contralateral hemiparesis (2.7%) often accompanied by speech impairment (2.4%) were most common after SRS-T. There was no correlation between efficacy and lesion volume.
CONCLUSION
Our systematic review found similar efficacy between FUS-T and SRS-T for ET, with trend toward higher efficacy yet greater adverse event incidence with FUS-T. Smaller lesion volumes could mitigate FUS-T off-target effects for greater safety.
Topics: Humans; Essential Tremor; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiosurgery; Thalamus; Treatment Outcome; Tremor; Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures; Network Meta-Analysis
PubMed: 37010324
DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002462 -
Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences 2023Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are often used by men for bodybuilding and to improve sports performance. The use is not limited to professional competitive...
BACKGROUND
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are often used by men for bodybuilding and to improve sports performance. The use is not limited to professional competitive athletes, but many amateur men.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess and systematically review the effects of AAS on male fertility parameters, spermiogram, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) and to review reversibility and other morbidity impacting fertility.
METHODS
Eligibility criteria - We included studies mentioning data about adult males using supraphysiologic doses of AAS for sports performance or appearance enhancement, with comparison data from general population or matched controls if available reporting fertility parameters and sexual performance. Information sources - A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and World of Science. Controlled clinical trials randomised or nonrandomised (if available), case series with or without matched controls, case reports, cross-sectional surveys, reports on follow-up of subjects caught in doping test and their fertility parameters when reported. Risk of bias/quality assessment - The quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
Included studies - Thirty-two studies were included. There were 12 cohort studies, 5 case-control studies, 9 cross-sectional surveys and 6 case reports. The study population comprised 9371 individuals, of which 2671 were AAS users. Synthesis of results - AAS users had reduced levels of FSH and LH than the naïve population. These levels remained low for 3-6 months after stopping AAS. One year after stopping AAS, the users and naïve population had insignificant differences in FSH and LH values. The total testosterone (TT) levels were comparable in users and naïve populations at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after stopping, but at 1 year, TT values were lower in AAS users. Sperm concentration in AAS users and naïve population was similar, but sperm motility was lower in AAS users. The testicular size was lower in AAS users. The erectile function improved with AAS use, but on withdrawal, there was decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. Most AAS users need additional medications to mitigate detrimental effects on fertility. Description of the effect - AAS use negatively impacted the gonadotrophin levels and had lower sperm motility and testicular size. Strength - Comprehensive review of 32 publications, study population of 9371 individuals, of which 2671 were AAS users, meta-analysis of reproductive hormones, semen parameters and testis size.
LIMITATIONS
The limitations are small sample size of most of the studies, polypharmacy, lack of information on dosing and high heterogeneity.
INTERPRETATION
AAS use is detrimental for sperm motility and has a partially reversible negative impact on male fertility. Users must be cautioned about its negative impact on libido and erectile function. PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42023411294.
PubMed: 38322636
DOI: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_90_23