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Academic Forensic Pathology Jun 2024Paraquat (N, N-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridinium dichloride) is a nonselective, fast-acting, and contact chemical herbicide used extensively for weed control. It has high acute... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Paraquat (N, N-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridinium dichloride) is a nonselective, fast-acting, and contact chemical herbicide used extensively for weed control. It has high acute oral toxicity, the ability to accumulate in the lungs, and a high potential for pulmonary fibrosis after its intoxication. The present systematic review focuses on evaluating diagnostic aspects of paraquat (PQ) in forensic toxicology.
METHODS
Evaluation of the literature according to the following criteria: only human studies published from February 1971 to March 2022 which are in English on the following databases: 1) Medline/PubMed/MeSH search words: ((Methyl viologen [Title/Abstract]) OR (paraquat [MeSH Terms])) AND (forensic [Title/Abstract]); 2) Scopus Keywords related to the study aim included forensic toxicology, paraquat, Methyl viologen; 3) Web of Science. Keywords related to the study aim included forensic toxicology, paraquat, and Methyl viologen.
RESULTS
Thirty full-text articles were included. The results of our review indicate plasma and urine are more used for identifying PQ, and liver, lung, and gastric fluid are important in postmortem cases. Preparation methods, including liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction, and acetonitrile-precipitated protein, are often required for removing interfering substances. Chromatographic methods, among other analytical techniques, are more sensitive, specific, and applicable.
CONCLUSION
Our review suggests that plasma, urine, and lungs should be prioritized in sampling. Solid-phase extraction has better recovery than LLE in many samples. Colorimetric methods are not used much today, and radioimmunoassay (RIA) has limited application despite its high sensitivity. Gas and liquid chromatography methods appear to offer the best approach for the analysis of PQ.
PubMed: 38778898
DOI: 10.1177/19253621231214008 -
Patient and caregiver shared experiences of pulmonary fibrosis (PF): A systematic literature review.Respiratory Medicine Jun 2024Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) describes a group of lung diseases characterised by progressive scarring (fibrosis). Symptoms worsen over time and include breathlessness,... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) describes a group of lung diseases characterised by progressive scarring (fibrosis). Symptoms worsen over time and include breathlessness, tiredness, and cough, giving rise to psychological distress. Significant morbidity accompanies PF, so ensuring patients' care needs are well defined and provided for, represents an important treatment strategy. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesise what is currently known about the psychosocial morbidity, illness experience and needs of people with pulmonary fibrosis and their informal caregivers. Eight databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, Cochrane database of Systematic reviews (CDSR), Web of Science Social Sciences Citation Index, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES and CINAHL) were used to identify studies exploring the supportive needs of adults with PF and/or their caregivers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. 53 studies were included, the majority using qualitative methodology (79 %, 42/53), 6 as part of mixed methodological studies. Supportive care needs were mapped to eight domains using an a priori framework analysis. Findings highlight a lack of psychological support throughout the course of the illness, misconceptions about and barriers to, the provision of palliative care despite its potential positive impacts. Patients and caregivers express a desire for greater disease specific education and information provision throughout the illness. Trials of complex interventions are needed to address the unique set of challenges for patients and carers living with PF.
Topics: Humans; Caregivers; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Palliative Care; Social Support; Adult; Male; Female; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38729528
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107659 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth May 2024Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have immense potential to support disease self-management for people with complex medical conditions following treatment regimens... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have immense potential to support disease self-management for people with complex medical conditions following treatment regimens that involve taking medicine and other self-management activities. However, there is no consensus on what discrete behavior change techniques (BCTs) should be used in an effective adherence and self-management-promoting mHealth solution for any chronic illness. Reviewing the extant literature to identify effective, cross-cutting BCTs in mHealth interventions for adherence and self-management promotion could help accelerate the development, evaluation, and dissemination of behavior change interventions with potential generalizability across complex medical conditions.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify cross-cutting, mHealth-based BCTs to incorporate into effective mHealth adherence and self-management interventions for people with complex medical conditions, by systematically reviewing the literature across chronic medical conditions with similar adherence and self-management demands.
METHODS
A registered systematic review was conducted to identify published evaluations of mHealth adherence and self-management interventions for chronic medical conditions with complex adherence and self-management demands. The methodological characteristics and BCTs in each study were extracted using a standard data collection form.
RESULTS
A total of 122 studies were reviewed; the majority involved people with type 2 diabetes (28/122, 23%), asthma (27/122, 22%), and type 1 diabetes (19/122, 16%). mHealth interventions rated as having a positive outcome on adherence and self-management used more BCTs (mean 4.95, SD 2.56) than interventions with no impact on outcomes (mean 3.57, SD 1.95) or those that used >1 outcome measure or analytic approach (mean 3.90, SD 1.93; P=.02). The following BCTs were associated with positive outcomes: self-monitoring outcomes of behavior (39/59, 66%), feedback on outcomes of behavior (34/59, 58%), self-monitoring of behavior (34/59, 58%), feedback on behavior (29/59, 49%), credible source (24/59, 41%), and goal setting (behavior; 14/59, 24%). In adult-only samples, prompts and cues were associated with positive outcomes (34/45, 76%). In adolescent and young adult samples, information about health consequences (1/4, 25%), problem-solving (1/4, 25%), and material reward (behavior; 2/4, 50%) were associated with positive outcomes. In interventions explicitly targeting medicine taking, prompts and cues (25/33, 76%) and credible source (13/33, 39%) were associated with positive outcomes. In interventions focused on self-management and other adherence targets, instruction on how to perform the behavior (8/26, 31%), goal setting (behavior; 8/26, 31%), and action planning (5/26, 19%) were associated with positive outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
To support adherence and self-management in people with complex medical conditions, mHealth tools should purposefully incorporate effective and developmentally appropriate BCTs. A cross-cutting approach to BCT selection could accelerate the development of much-needed mHealth interventions for target populations, although mHealth intervention developers should continue to consider the unique needs of the target population when designing these tools.
Topics: Humans; Self-Management; Telemedicine; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Behavior Therapy; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 38717433
DOI: 10.2196/49024 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2024Early diagnosis and treatment of lower respiratory tract infections is the mainstay of management of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). When sputum samples are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis and treatment of lower respiratory tract infections is the mainstay of management of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). When sputum samples are unavailable, diagnosis relies mainly on cultures from oropharyngeal specimens; however, there are concerns about whether this approach is sensitive enough to identify lower respiratory organisms. Bronchoscopy and related procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are invasive but allow the collection of lower respiratory specimens from non-sputum producers. Cultures of bronchoscopic specimens provide a higher yield of organisms compared to those from oropharyngeal specimens. Regular use of bronchoscopy and related procedures may increase the accuracy of diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections and improve the selection of antimicrobials, which may lead to clinical benefits. This is an update of a previous review that was first published in 2013 and was updated in 2016 and in 2018.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the use of bronchoscopy-guided (also known as bronchoscopy-directed) antimicrobial therapy in the management of lung infection in adults and children with cystic fibrosis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches and handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. We also searched three registries of ongoing studies and the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews. The date of the most recent searches was 1 November 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled studies involving people of any age with CF that compared the outcomes of antimicrobial therapies guided by the results of bronchoscopy (and related procedures) versus those guided by any other type of sampling (e.g. cultures from sputum, throat swab and cough swab).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed their risk of bias and extracted data. We contacted study investigators for further information when required. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE criteria.
MAIN RESULTS
We included two studies in this updated review. One study enrolled 170 infants under six months of age who had been diagnosed with CF through newborn screening. Participants were followed until they were five years old, and data were available for 157 children. The study compared outcomes for pulmonary exacerbations following treatment directed by BAL versus standard treatment based on clinical features and oropharyngeal cultures. The second study enrolled 30 children with CF aged between five and 18 years and randomised participants to receive treatment based on microbiological results of BAL triggered by an increase in lung clearance index (LCI) of at least one unit above baseline or to receive standard treatment based on microbiological results of oropharyngeal samples collected when participants were symptomatic. We judged both studies to have a low risk of bias across most domains, although the risk of bias for allocation concealment and selective reporting was unclear in the smaller study. In the larger study, the statistical power to detect a significant difference in the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was low because Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation in BAL samples at five years of age in both groups were much lower than the expected rate that was used for the power calculation. We graded the certainty of evidence for the key outcomes as low, other than for high-resolution computed tomography scoring and cost-of-care analysis, which we graded as moderate certainty. Both studies reported similar outcomes, but meta-analysis was not possible due to different ways of measuring the outcomes and different indications for the use of BAL. Whether antimicrobial therapy is directed by the use of BAL or standard care may make little or no difference in lung function z scores after two years (n = 29) as measured by the change from baseline in LCI and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (low-certainty evidence). At five years, the larger study found little or no difference between groups in absolute FEV1 z score or forced vital capacity (FVC) (low-certainty evidence). BAL-directed therapy probably makes little or no difference to any measure of chest scores assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan at either two or five years (different measures used in the two studies; moderate-certainty evidence). BAL-directed therapy may make little or no difference in nutritional parameters or in the number of positive isolates of P aeruginosa per participant per year, but may lead to more hospitalisations per year (1 study, 157 participants; low-certainty evidence). There is probably no difference in average cost of care per participant (either for hospitalisations or total costs) at five years between BAL-directed therapy and standard care (1 study, 157 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We found no difference in health-related quality of life between BAL-directed therapy and standard care at either two or five years, and the larger study found no difference in the number of isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa per child per year. The eradication rate following one or two courses of eradication treatment and the number of pulmonary exacerbations were comparable in the two groups. Mild adverse events, when reported, were generally well tolerated. The most common adverse event reported was transient worsening of cough after 29% of procedures. Significant clinical deterioration was documented during or within 24 hours of BAL in 4.8% of procedures.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This review, limited to two well-designed randomised controlled studies, shows no evidence to support the routine use of BAL for the diagnosis and management of pulmonary infection in preschool children with CF compared to the standard practice of providing treatment based on results of oropharyngeal culture and clinical symptoms. No evidence is available for adults.
Topics: Humans; Cystic Fibrosis; Bronchoscopy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Child; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Respiratory Tract Infections; Adult; Bronchoalveolar Lavage; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PubMed: 38700027
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009530.pub5 -
BMC Pediatrics Apr 2024Cystic fibrosis is a chronic genetic disease that can affect the function of the respiratory system. Previous reviews of the effects of respiratory muscle training in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic genetic disease that can affect the function of the respiratory system. Previous reviews of the effects of respiratory muscle training in people with cystic fibrosis are uncertain and do not consider the effect of age on disease progression. This systematic review aims to determine the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training in the clinical outcomes of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.
METHODS
Up to July 2023, electronic databases and clinical trial registries were searched. Controlled clinical trials comparing respiratory muscle training with sham intervention or no intervention in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The primary outcomes were respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, lung function, and cough. Secondary outcomes included exercise capacity, quality of life and adverse events. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2. The certainty of the evidence was assessed according to the GRADE approach. Meta-analyses where possible; otherwise, take a qualitative approach.
RESULTS
Six studies with a total of 151 participants met the inclusion criteria for this review. Two of the six included studies were published in abstract form only, limiting the available information. Four studies were parallel studies and two were cross-over designs. There were significant differences in the methods and quality of the methodology included in the studies. The pooled data showed no difference in respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and exercise capacity between the treatment and control groups. However, subgroup analyses suggest that inspiratory muscle training is beneficial in increasing maximal inspiratory pressure, and qualitative analyses suggest that respiratory muscle training may benefit respiratory muscle endurance without any adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that although the level of evidence indicating the benefits of respiratory muscle training is low, its clinical significance suggests that we further study the methodological quality to determine the effectiveness of training.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The protocol for this review was recorded in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD42023441829.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Cystic Fibrosis; Quality of Life; Breathing Exercises; Chronic Disease; Respiratory Muscles
PubMed: 38622583
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04726-x -
Clinical Breast Cancer Jul 2024Locoregional radiotherapy play an important role in controlling the disease after surgery in patients with breast cancer. Radiotherapy schedules vary from conventional... (Review)
Review
Locoregional radiotherapy play an important role in controlling the disease after surgery in patients with breast cancer. Radiotherapy schedules vary from conventional fraction to hypofractionation. The purpose of this review is to get an insight into the data on regional nodal irradiation (RNI) with hypofractionation in patients with breast cancer. This systematic review was constructed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) framework. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE were searched from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 to identify studies published in English language on hypofractionated RNI in post mastectomy patients. The search was carried out with the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms like "regional nodal irradiation," "hypofractionated" and "hypofractionation in breast cancer" with different Boolean operators (and/or). A manual search of reference lists of included articles was also performed to make sure there were no additional cases unidentified from the primary search. Studies deemed potentially eligible were identified and assessed by same independent reviewers to confirm eligibility. RNI data are mainly from a randomized study from Beijing and pooled data from START trials. There are also data from retrospective and single institutional studies and a few phase II studies with limited number of patients using different dose fractionations and techniques of radiotherapy. Doses used in these trials ranged from 26-47.7 Gy in 5-19 fractions over 1-4 weeks. Grade ≥ 2 pulmonary fibrosis and lymphedema rate ranged from 2%-7.9% and 3%-19.8% respectively. Grade ≥ 2 shoulder dysfunction and brachial plexopathy ranged from 0.2%-28% and 0%-< 1%, respectively. Late effects with a dose range of 26-40 Gy delivered in 5 to 15 fractions over 1-3 weeks were less/similar to conventional fraction. Current data showed lower/similar rates of toxicity with hypofractionated RNI compared with conventional fractionation RNI. Doses of 26 Gy to 40 Gy delivered in 5 to 15 fractions over 1-3 weeks are safe for RNI. With limited data, ultra-hypofractionation 26 Gy/5 fractions/1 week also seems to be safe. However, long-term outcome is awaited and many trials are going on to address its efficacy and safety.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Radiation Dose Hypofractionation; Mastectomy; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Lymphatic Irradiation; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 38614852
DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2024.03.007 -
Cureus Mar 2024As the global incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is on the rise, there is a need for better diagnostic criteria, better treatment options, early and... (Review)
Review
As the global incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is on the rise, there is a need for better diagnostic criteria, better treatment options, early and appropriate diagnosis, adequate care, and a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients. This systematic review explores the role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in IPF and answers the question, "Does proton pump inhibitor improve only the prognosis of gastroesophageal associated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or for other types of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis too?" We used PubMed (PMC) and Google Scholar for data collection for this systematic review and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for conducting this review. After in-depth literature screening and quality appraisal, 12 articles were selected for this systematic review. On the one hand, the efficacy of PPI therapy is supported by research such as the CAPACITY and ASCEND trials, a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) investigating the role of omeprazole in IPF and a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, respectively. On the other hand, a systematic review and meta-analysis on antacid and antireflux surgery in IPF negate these results and show no statistical significance. Questions regarding the efficacy of PPI therapy must be dealt with in an adequately powered multicenter and double-blinded randomized control trial. The anti-inflammatory properties of antacids can serve as the cornerstone for future trials. In the following systematic review, antacid, antireflux therapy, omeprazole, and proton pump therapy are synonymous with stomach acid suppression therapy.
PubMed: 38606271
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55980 -
Pediatrics May 2024A multidisciplinary committee developed evidence-based guidelines for the management of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related metabolic...
A multidisciplinary committee developed evidence-based guidelines for the management of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related metabolic syndrome/cystic fibrosis screen-positive, inconclusive diagnosis (CRMS/CFSPID). A total of 24 patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome questions were generated based on surveys sent to people with CRMS/CFSPID and clinicians caring for these individuals, previous recommendations, and expert committee input. Four a priori working groups (genetic testing, monitoring, treatment, and psychosocial/communication issues) were used to provide structure to the committee. A systematic review of the evidence was conducted, and found numerous case series and cohort studies, but no randomized clinical trials. A total of 30 recommendations were graded using the US Preventive Services Task Force methodology. Recommendations that received ≥80% consensus among the entire committee were approved. The resulting recommendations were of moderate to low certainty for the majority of the statements because of the low quality of the evidence. Highlights of the recommendations include thorough evaluation with genetic sequencing, deletion/duplication analysis if <2 disease-causing variants were noted in newborn screening; repeat sweat testing until at least age 8 but limiting further laboratory testing, including microbiology, radiology, and pulmonary function testing; minimal use of medications, which when suggested, should lead to shared decision-making with families; and providing communication with emphasis on social determinants of health and shared decision-making to minimize barriers which may affect processing and understanding of this complex designation. Future research will be needed regarding medication use, antibiotic therapy, and the use of chest imaging for monitoring the development of lung disease.
Topics: Humans; Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Evidence-Based Medicine; Genetic Testing; Neonatal Screening
PubMed: 38577740
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-064657 -
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 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024While ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and fibrosis in the lungs are some of the hallmarks of acute SAR-CoV-2 infection, it remains unclear whether these pulmonary... (Review)
Review
While ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and fibrosis in the lungs are some of the hallmarks of acute SAR-CoV-2 infection, it remains unclear whether these pulmonary radiological findings would resolve after acute symptoms have subsided. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate chest computed tomography (CT) abnormalities stratified by COVID-19 disease severity and multiple timepoints post-infection. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched for relevant articles until 23 May 2023. Studies with COVID-19-recovered patients and follow-up chest CT at least 12 months post-infection were included. CT findings were evaluated at short-term (1-6 months) and long-term (12-24 months) follow-ups and by disease severity (severe and non-severe). A generalized linear mixed-effects model with random effects was used to estimate event rates for CT findings. A total of 2517 studies were identified, of which 43 met the inclusion (N = 8858 patients). Fibrotic-like changes had the highest event rate at short-term (0.44 [0.3-0.59]) and long-term (0.38 [0.23-0.56]) follow-ups. A meta-regression showed that over time the event rates decreased for any abnormality (β = -0.137, = 0.002), ground-glass opacities (β = -0.169, < 0.001), increased for honeycombing (β = 0.075, = 0.03), and did not change for fibrotic-like changes, bronchiectasis, reticulation, and interlobular septal thickening ( > 0.05 for all). The severe subgroup had significantly higher rates of any abnormalities ( < 0.001), bronchiectasis ( = 0.02), fibrotic-like changes ( = 0.03), and reticulation ( < 0.001) at long-term follow-ups when compared to the non-severe subgroup. In conclusion, significant CT abnormalities remained up to 2 years post-COVID-19, especially in patients with severe disease. Long-lasting pulmonary abnormalities post-SARS-CoV-2 infection signal a future public health concern, necessitating extended monitoring, rehabilitation, survivor support, vaccination, and ongoing research for targeted therapies.
PubMed: 38535041
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14060621