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Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2024(1) In recent years, a global epidemiological shift in candidemia has been observed, marked by the emergence of resistant non-albicans Candida species. , in particular,... (Review)
Review
(1) In recent years, a global epidemiological shift in candidemia has been observed, marked by the emergence of resistant non-albicans Candida species. , in particular, has become a significant global concern, causing infections in both pediatric and adult populations within healthcare settings. Despite its widespread impact, there is a limited understanding of the clinical course and transmission dynamics of neonatal systemic Candida auris infections, hindering effective prevention and management. This study focused on the epidemiologic data, the clinical presentation, risk factors, and outcome of infection in neonatal population. (2) : A systematic review of the literature using PubMed and Scopus databases until December 2023 was conducted. (3) : A total of 24 relevant studies were identified, encompassing 476 documented cases of infection in neonates. Prematurity emerged as a primary risk factor, alongside total parenteral nutrition, central line insertion, mechanical ventilation, and prior broad-spectrum antibiotic use. The mortality rate reached approximately 42%, with therapeutic details sparingly reported in 12% of cases. Treatment strategies varied, with amphotericin B predominantly used as monotherapy, while combination antifungal agents were used in 44% of cases. Notably, 97.4% of cases exhibited fluconazole resistance, and 67.1% showed resistance to amphotericin B. Limited data were available on resistance to other antifungal agents. (4) : Despite the rarity of neonatal infections, their global occurrence necessitates comprehensive preparedness in patient care. A deeper understanding of pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective strategies to control and prevent neonatal infections caused by this pathogen.
PubMed: 38541815
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13061586 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2024(1) : Paraphilic disorders, marked by intense sexual fantasies and behaviors, present formidable challenges. This review addresses concerns fueled by scandals and child... (Review)
Review
(1) : Paraphilic disorders, marked by intense sexual fantasies and behaviors, present formidable challenges. This review addresses concerns fueled by scandals and child abuse. Emphasizing paraphilias' complexity, it systematically reviews the pharmacotherapy literature, aiming to enhance understanding and guide future research. (2) : A comprehensive search from 1990 to 2023 across major databases identified 28 relevant English-language studies. Inclusion criteria focused on adult pharmacotherapy for paraphilias, and results were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. (3) : Synthesizing data from selected studies, diverse treatments such as SSRIs and antiandrogens were analyzed, revealing variable effectiveness and side effect profiles. Poor quality of the current literature has been reported. (4) : Highlighting the pivotal role of the serotonergic system, this review underscores the efficacy of SSRIs and androgen deprivation therapy. GnRH analog-associated side effects and the importance of a combined assessment approach are discussed. Critical insights contribute to understanding and ethical considerations in paraphilic disorders.
PubMed: 38541750
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13061524 -
Biomolecules Feb 2024Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) involves lung disorders marked by chronic inflammation and fibrosis. ILDs include pathologies like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),... (Review)
Review
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) involves lung disorders marked by chronic inflammation and fibrosis. ILDs include pathologies like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) or sarcoidosis. Existing data covers pathogenesis, diagnosis (especially using high-resolution computed tomography), and treatments like antifibrotic agents. Despite progress, ILD diagnosis and management remains challenging with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent focus is on Progressive Fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD), characterized by worsening symptoms and fibrosis on HRCT. Prevalence is around 30%, excluding IPF, with a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is crucial for optimizing outcomes in PF-ILD individuals. The lung microbiome comprises all the microorganisms that are in the respiratory tract. Relatively recent research try to evaluate its role in respiratory disease. Healthy lungs have a diverse microbial community. An imbalance in bacterial composition, changes in bacterial metabolic activities, or changes in bacterial distribution within the lung termed dysbiosis is linked to conditions like COPD, asthma and ILDs. We conducted a systematic review of three important scientific data base using a focused search strategy to see how the lung microbiome is involved in the progression of ILDs. Results showed that some differences in the composition and quality of the lung microbiome exist in ILDs that show progressive fibrosing phenotype. The results seem to suggest that the lung microbiota could be involved in ILD progression, but more studies showing its exact pathophysiological mechanisms are needed.
Topics: Humans; Disease Progression; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Lung; Fibrosis; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 38540667
DOI: 10.3390/biom14030247 -
Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024This study presents a systematic review of the literature on individuals' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder... (Review)
Review
This study presents a systematic review of the literature on individuals' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), utilizing the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) as a primary assessment tool. The review was designed as an exhaustive literature search across three major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up to December 2023, using the PRISMA guidelines. The selection process refined 2281 identified articles down to 11 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. These studies encompassed a diverse demographic and clinical profile of 774 participants, with follow-up durations ranging from 3 to 130 months, thereby offering insights into both short-term and long-term HRQoL outcomes. The results highlighted significant alterations in individuals' HRQoL across various domains post-radical cystectomy. Notably, the Physical Functioning (PF) and Bodily Pain (BP) domains generally scored higher, indicating a moderate to high perceived physical health status. However, the Role Physical (RP) and Role Emotional (RE) domains showed variability, reflecting the challenges in daily role fulfillment and emotional adjustment post-surgery. A marked variability in physical recovery was observed, with studies reporting significant differences in PF and RP scores between patient groups. The General Health (GH) and Vitality (VT) domains sometimes reflected perceived deteriorations, whereas the Mental Health (MH) scores suggested that many patients maintained or achieved high levels of well-being post-operatively. The conclusions drawn from this systematic review underscore the profound and multi-faceted impact of radical cystectomy on HRQoL, varying widely between studies, being influenced by geographic factors, surgical methods, and the time of evaluation. The findings emphasize the necessity for holistic patient care approaches that address both physical and emotional rehabilitation, aiming to improve HRQoL outcomes.
PubMed: 38534980
DOI: 10.3390/diseases12030056 -
BMC Neurology Mar 2024MGMT (O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation is a commonly assessed prognostic marker in glioblastoma (GBM). Epigenetic silencing of the MGMT...
BACKGROUND
MGMT (O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation is a commonly assessed prognostic marker in glioblastoma (GBM). Epigenetic silencing of the MGMT gene by promoter methylation is associated with greater overall and progression free survival with alkylating agent regimens. To date, there is marked heterogeneity in how MGMT promoter methylation is tested and which CpG sites are interrogated.
METHODS
To further elucidate which MGMT promoter CpG sites are of greatest interest, we performed comprehensive searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase and reviewed 2,925 article abstracts. We followed the GRADE scoring system to assess risk of bias and the quality of the studies we included.
RESULTS
We included articles on adult glioblastoma that examined significant sites or regions within MGMT promoter for the outcomes: overall survival, progression free survival, and/or MGMT expression. We excluded systemic reviews and articles on lower grade glioma. fifteen articles met inclusion criteria with variable overlap in laboratory and statistical methods employed, as well as CpG sites interrogated. Pyrosequencing or BeadChip arrays were the most popular methods utilized, and CpG sites between CpG's 70-90 were most frequently investigated. Overall, there was moderate concordance between the CpG sites that the studies reported to be highly predictive of prognosis. Combinations or means of sites between CpG's 73-89 were associated with improved OS and PFS. Six studies identified CpG sites associated with prognosis that were closer to the transcription start site: CpG's 8, 19, 22, 25, 27, 32,38, and CpG sites 21-37, as well as low methylation level of the enhancer regions.
CONCLUSION
The following systematic review details a comprehensive investigation of the current literature and highlights several potential key CpG sites that demonstrate significant association with OS, PFS, and MGMT expression. However, the relationship between extent of MGMT promoter methylation and survival may be non-linear and could be influenced by potential CpG hotspots, the extent of methylation at each CpG site, and MGMT enhancer methylation status. There were several limitations within the studies such as smaller sample sizes, variance between methylation testing methods, and differences in the various statistical methods to test for association to outcome. Further studies of high impact CpG sites in MGMT methylation is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Brain Neoplasms; DNA Methylation; DNA Modification Methylases; DNA Repair Enzymes; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Prognosis; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 38521933
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03605-3 -
Rural and Remote Health Mar 2024Community integration (CI) is recognised as an overarching goal for the rehabilitation of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). However, adults with less severe... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Community integration (CI) is recognised as an overarching goal for the rehabilitation of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). However, adults with less severe ABI often experience a lack of support when they return home after discharge from hospital or inpatient rehabilitation, despite having persistent impairments and ongoing needs. Individuals living in rural areas are even less likely to receive adequate support during this period, which is often marked by challenges and uncertainty. This review aims to map and explore the research literature to identify existing models for rehabilitation service provision aimed at promoting the CI of home-dwelling adults with ABI living in rural areas.
METHODS
A scoping review of the research literature was conducted. The study followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The databases searched were MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar. No limitations were set for the study design, time of publication, or country of origin, but only literature in English, Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish was considered for inclusion.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven articles were included. All of them originated from four Western and predominantly English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. A thematic analysis identified six model categories that reflect different strategies for providing rehabilitation that promote CI in adults with ABI in rural areas. Sorting the model categories into micro (individual, interpersonal), meso (organisational, community), and macro (policy, society) levels highlighted that most of the included literature concentrates on microlevel issues at the individual or interpersonal level. Microlevel model categories encompass self-management and education, the use of navigators, and the incorporation of everyday life activities into rehabilitation. Far fewer articles addressed mesolevel issues such as service development in rural areas or the development of inclusive rural communities, and only a single article addressed policy development at the macro level.
CONCLUSION
The relatively low number of included articles and limited geographical distribution of studies indicate that more research is needed on rehabilitation models aimed at promoting CI in adults with ABI in rural areas. Although we identified several existing approaches to rehabilitation service provision in rural areas, there is still a need to develop models that fully consider the complexity and long-term nature of CI after ABI. The results also demonstrate that CI in rural areas not only is dependent on professional service delivery aimed at the individual with ABI but also can be promoted by supporting significant others, developing inclusive communities, and improving policies. More knowledge on such issues may facilitate a wider reorganisation of care systems to enhance the CI of adults with ABI in rural areas. However, this will require more research with a wider scope than microlevel service delivery.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Community Integration; Population Groups; Brain Injuries; Australia; Canada
PubMed: 38502969
DOI: 10.22605/RRH8281 -
Cureus Feb 2024Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which shares a radiographic pattern with the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), is a specific form of chronic and progressive... (Review)
Review
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which shares a radiographic pattern with the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), is a specific form of chronic and progressive interstitial lung disorder resulting in persistent fibrosis and impaired lung function. Most of the patients suffer from dyspnea which adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The underlying etiology of the disease is not yet understood, but research done on the subject reveals that aberrant repair mechanisms and dysregulated immune responses may be the cause. It can affect any age group but predominantly affects patients who are above 50 years of age. It has been observed that in addition to age, the reasons are also related to smoking, pollution, and inhalation of harmful elements. As the cause of IPF is still unknown and there is no cure yet, presently, it is treated to delay lung function loss with antifibrotic medications, nintedanib, and pirfenidone. However, both nintedanib and perfenidone have side effects which affect different patients in different ways and with different levels of severity, thereby making the treatment even more challenging for medical practitioners. The present systematic review aims at studying the efficacy of pirfenidone and nintedanib in relieving symptoms and in extending survival in patients. A detailed search was done in relevant articles listed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the New England Journal of Medicine between 2018 and 2023. It was observed that the most accepted way of measuring the progression of IPF is the evaluation of pulmonary function by assessing the forced vital capacity (FVC). Several studies have shown that the decline in FVC over a period of 6-12 months is directly associated with a higher mortality rate. The outcomes were similar in both male and female irrespective of age, gender, and ethnicity. However, some patients being treated with pirfenidone and nintedanib experienced various side-effects which were mainly gastrointestinal like diarrhea, dyspepsia, and vomiting. In the case of pirfenidone, some patients also experienced photosensitivity and skin rashes. In cases where the side-effects are extremely severe and are more threatening than the disease itself, the treatment has to be discontinued. The survival rate in patients with IPF is marked by a median of 3-5 years that is even lower than many cancers; hence, the treatment should be started as soon as the disease is detected. However, further research is needed to establish the etiology of IPF and to establish treatments that can stop its progression.
PubMed: 38500898
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54268 -
Cureus Feb 2024Burn injuries, a major global health concern, result in an estimated 180,000 fatalities annually. Despite tremendous progress in treatment methods over the years, the... (Review)
Review
Burn injuries, a major global health concern, result in an estimated 180,000 fatalities annually. Despite tremendous progress in treatment methods over the years, the morbidity and mortality associated with burns remain significant. Autologous skin grafting, particularly split-thickness skin grafting (STSG), has been a cornerstone in burn reconstruction, and it has facilitated survival and functional recovery for total body surface area (TBSA) significantly. However, the requirement for primary closure at the donor site due to the constraints of full-thickness donor harvesting continues to pose challenges. The introduction of dermal regenerative templates (DRT) in the late 1970s marked a substantial step forward in tissue engineering, addressing the inadequacy of dermal replacement with STSGs. This systematic review aimed to compare the outcomes of different graft types - bioengineered, autografts, allografts, and xenografts - in burn reconstruction over the last 24 years. The review focused on the pros and cons of each graft type, offering clinical insights grounded in experience and evidence. The approach involved a systematic review of studies published in English from January 2000 to January 2024, covering randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies, and case series. The participants comprised individuals of all ages who underwent burn reconstruction with skin grafts, specifically split-thickness grafts, full-thickness grafts, composite grafts, and epidermal grafts (autografts, allografts, and xenografts) and bioengineered grafts. The primary outcomes were functional and cosmetic results, patient satisfaction, graft survival, and complications. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials version 2 (RoB 2), the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for non-randomized studies, and the Canada Institute for Health Economics (IHE) quality appraisal tool for case series. Our initial search yielded a total of 1,995 articles, out of which 10 studies were selected for final analysis. Among the four clinical trials assessed, 75% showed a high risk of bias. The studies reviewed involved various graft types, with six studies (60%) concentrating on allografts, three (30%) on autografts, and one (10%) on bioengineered skin grafts. The outcomes were varied, underlining the intricate nature of burn wound management. Our evaluation revealed promising results for autologous-engineered skin substitutes and allografts but also highlighted methodological disparities among the studies included. The dominance of observational studies and the diversity of outcome measures present obstacles to direct comparisons. Future research should address these limitations, employing well-structured RCTs, standardized outcome measures, and exploring long-term outcomes and patient-specific factors. The rapidly evolving field of regenerative medicine offers great potential for novel grafting methods. This systematic review provides valuable insights into the diverse outcomes of burn reconstruction using different graft types. Autologous-engineered skin substitutes and allografts seem to hold significant promise, suggesting a possible shift in grafting techniques. However, methodological inconsistencies and the lack of high-quality evidence underscore the necessity for further research to fine-tune burn care approaches.
PubMed: 38496152
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54277 -
Cureus Feb 2024Total knee arthroplasty is one of the most common orthopedic procedures. Simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty involves performing total knee arthroplasty on both... (Review)
Review
Total knee arthroplasty is one of the most common orthopedic procedures. Simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty involves performing total knee arthroplasty on both knees in a single anesthetic session. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. A primary search was performed using PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, Clarivate, and Google Scholar databases. Quantitative data synthesis was performed using MedCalc® Statistical Software version 20.115 to determine the pooled prevalence of the infection among patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. We included 30 studies in our quantitative data synthesis, with a total population of 118,502 patients (237,004 knees). The pooled prevalence of superficial infection, deep infection, and unspecified surgical site infection was estimated to be 0.86% (95% confidence interval: 0.62-1.13%), 0.84% (95% confidence interval: 0.64-1.05%), and 1.18% (95% confidence interval: 0.45-2.27%), respectively. There was significant heterogeneity (I2 >50%) in all analyses, and inspection of funnel plots revealed a symmetrical distribution of plotted data. We found that the infection rates following simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty were relatively low but heterogeneous, as the data showed marked variability. Superficial infections were more common than deep infections; however, there was a small difference in their prevalence. Furthermore, the reliability of our findings was limited owing to significant heterogeneity.
PubMed: 38487132
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54117 -
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Jun 2024The availability of circulating biomarkers that are predictive of treatment response or prognostic of overall outcome could enable the personalised and adaptive use of... (Review)
Review
A systematic review of circulating predictive and prognostic biomarkers to aid the personalised use of radiotherapy in the radical treatment of patients with oesophageal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The availability of circulating biomarkers that are predictive of treatment response or prognostic of overall outcome could enable the personalised and adaptive use of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
METHODS
A systematic review was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidance. Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus and the Web of Science databases were searched for studies published between January 2005-February 2023 relating to circulating biomarkers evaluated in the context of neoadjuvant or definitive RT delivered for OAC/OSCC. Study quality was assessed using predefined criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 3012 studies were screened and 57 subsequently included, across which 61 biomarkers were reported. A majority (43/57,75.4%) of studies were of Asian origin and retrospective (40/57, 70.2%), with most (52/57, 91.2%) biomarkers reported in the context of patients with OSCC. There was marked inter-study heterogeneity in patient populations, treatment characteristics, biomarker measurement and the cut points used to define biomarker positivity. Nevertheless, there is evidence for the prognostic and predictive value of circulating tumour DNA and numerous miRNAs in OAC and OSCC, as well as for the prognostic and predictive value of circulating levels of CYFRA21.1 in OSCC.
CONCLUSIONS
There is consistent evidence for the potential predictive and prognostic value of a small number of biomarkers in OSCC and OAC, though these data are insufficient for translation to current clinical practice. Well-designed prospective studies are now required to validate their role in stratified and personalised RT treatment approaches.
Topics: Humans; Esophageal Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor; Prognosis; Precision Medicine; Adenocarcinoma
PubMed: 38479442
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110224