Feasibility of cardiac-based seizure detection and prediction: A systematic review of non-invasive wearable sensor-based studies.

A reliable seizure detection or prediction device can potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with epileptic seizures. Previous findings indicating alterations in cardiac activity during seizures suggest the usefulness of cardiac parameters for seizure detection or prediction. This study aims to examine available studies on seizure detection and prediction based on cardiac parameters using non-invasive wearable devices.

Effectiveness and safety of statins on outcomes in patients with HIV infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Statins are hypolipidaemic in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. However, their effect on all-cause mortality and rate of discontinuation is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the impact of statins on all-cause mortality, discontinuation rates, and risk of adverse effects among HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Effects of Metformin on Bone Mineral Density and Adiposity-Associated Pathways in Animal Models with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.

Recently, there have been investigations on metformin (Met) as a potential treatment for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, as researchers have outlined that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses an increased risk of fractures. Hence, this systematic review was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the evidence that supports the bone-protective effects of metformin on male animal models with T2DM. Five databases-Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, SCOPUS, and ScienceDirect-were used to search for original randomized controlled trials published in English with relevant keywords.

Peer mentoring experience on becoming a good doctor: student perspectives.

Background: PASS is a peer-led structured academic mentoring program designed to provide academic assistance for new students in their transition from college to university studies and also for students struggling in certain units. This study aims to establish acquired skills by peer leaders associated with peer-led mentoring via the PASS program, and to explore the role played by these acquired skills in their journey to become a successful doctor.

Methods: Study participants were forty selected second-year undergraduate medical students at Monash University Malaysia with commendable examination results.

Implementing a collaborative medicine and pharmacy educational activity in two countries.

Background: To promote better collaboration for patient care, interprofessional education (IPE) is required in many health professions courses. However, successful IPE implementation at scale can be challenging because of complicated logistics and competing priorities. Implementing across multiple geographies adds further complexity.

The cultural, family and community factors for resilience in southeast asian indigenous communities: A systematic review.

Although faced with historical and ongoing hardships, many indigenous communities in Southeast Asia have managed to survive and thrive. The identification of factors that assist these communities in coping with the challenges experienced would help enhance their overall psychological well-being and resilience. The current review outlines types of protective factors for the indigenous communities in Southeast Asia focusing on the cultural, family and community elements linked to their psychological well-being.

Statin Treatment and Clinical Outcomes of Heart Failure Among Africans: An Inverse Probability Treatment Weighted Analysis.

Background: Randomized control trials of statins have not demonstrated significant benefits in outcomes of heart failure (HF). However, randomized control trials may not always be generalizable. The aim was to determine whether statin and statin type-lipophilic or -hydrophilic improve long-term outcomes in Africans with HF.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients admitted for heart failure: A 5-year retrospective study of African patients.

Background: Mortality associated with heart failure (HF) remains high. There are limited clinical data on mortality among HF patients from African populations. We examined the clinical characteristics, long-term outcomes, and prognostic factors of African HF patients with preserved, mid-range or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Review of novel therapeutic targets for improving heart failure treatment based on experimental and clinical studies.

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health priority due to its epidemiological transition and the world's aging population. HF is typified by continuous loss of contractile function with reduced, normal, or preserved ejection fraction, elevated vascular resistance, fluid and autonomic imbalance, and ventricular dilatation. Despite considerable advances in the treatment of HF over the past few decades, mortality remains substantial.

Lipophilic Statin Versus Rosuvastatin (Hydrophilic) Treatment for Heart Failure: a Meta-Analysis and Adjusted Indirect Comparison of Randomised Trials.

Objectives: This study aims to compare lipophilic and hydrophilic statin therapy on clinical outcomes of heart failure (HF) using a systematic review and an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospitalization and hospitalization for worsening HF.

Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases until 31st December 2014 for randomized control trials (RCTs) in HF evaluating statins versus placebo.

Effects of Statin Treatment on Inflammation and Cardiac Function in Heart Failure: An Adjusted Indirect Comparison Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

Introduction: Statins are known to prevent heart failure (HF). However, it is unclear whether statins as class or type (lipophilic or hydrophilic) improve outcomes of established HF.

Aims: The current meta-analysis was performed to compare the treatment effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on inflammation and cardiac function in HF.

Empathy levels among first year Malaysian medical students: an observational study.

Background: The literature indicates that medical practitioners experience declining empathy levels in clinical practice. This highlights the need to educate medical students about empathy as an attribute early in the academic curriculum. The objective of this study was to evaluate year one students' self-reported empathy levels following a 2-hour empathy workshop at a large medical school in Malaysia.

Does one cigarette make an adolescent smoker, and is it influenced by age and age of smoking initiation? Evidence of association from the U.S. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2011).

Objectives: Evidence that age of smoking initiation represents a risk factor for regular smoking in adolescence is complicated by inconsistencies in the operational definition of smoking initiation and simultaneous inclusion of age as an explanatory variable. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between age, age of smoking initiation and subsequent regular smoking.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of the U.

Statins in heart failure: do we need another trial?

Statins lower serum cholesterol and are employed for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Clinical evidence from observational studies, retrospective data, and post hoc analyses of data from large statin trials in various cardiovascular conditions, as well as small scale randomized trials, suggest survival and other outcome benefits for heart failure. Two recent large randomized controlled trials, however, appear to suggest statins do not have beneficial effects in heart failure.

Lipophilic versus hydrophilic statin therapy for heart failure: a protocol for an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis.

Background: Statins are known to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in primary and secondary prevention studies. Subsequently, a number of nonrandomised studies have shown statins improve clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Small randomised controlled trials (RCT) also show improved cardiac function, reduced inflammation and mortality with statins in HF.

Social support in type II diabetes care: a case of too little, too late.

Coping with type II diabetic patients is increasingly posing large financial burdens, sorely felt especially by growing economies. Self-management has been found to be an effective approach towards maintaining good control in diabetics. However, although efforts at implementing self-management have had initial success, there has been a lack of sustainability.

Short-term effect of atorvastatin on endothelial function in healthy offspring of parents with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Endothelial function is impaired in healthy subjects at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated whether endothelial dysfunction can be normalized by statin therapy in this potentially predisposed population. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured in 56 first-degree relatives (FDRs) (normotensive, normal glucose tolerance) and 20 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched controls with no family history of DM.

Altered coronary vasomotor function in young patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Accelerated atherosclerosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Altered coronary microvascular function may act as a marker of changes that predispose to the development of significant coronary vascular disease. The purpose of this study was to compare coronary flow reserve (CFR) in a group of premenopausal women with SLE and a group of age-, sex-, and race-matched healthy control subjects.

Measurement of coronary vasomotor function: getting to the heart of the matter in cardiovascular research.

Measurement of endothelial function in patients has emerged as a useful tool for cardiovascular research. Although no gold standard for the measurement of endothelial function exists, the measurement of flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery, assessed with Doppler ultrasonography, is the most studied method. However, the assumption that endothelial dysfunction detected in brachial arteries is a manifestation of systemic endothelial dysfunction including the coronary circulation may not be entirely valid.

Combination of drugs acting on the natriuretic system and the renin-angiotensin system in heart failure.

Conventional diuretic agents are very effective agents in relieving volume overload and congestive symptoms in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, they are associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the sympathetic nervous system and a reduction in glomerular filtration rate, all of which have been associated with adverse outcomes in CHF. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in drugs that target the natriuretic system without neurohormonal activation and deterioration of renal function.