Metal Fume Fever: An Underdiagnosis.

Metal fume fever (MFF) is an auto-limited acute febrile respiratory syndrome that may mimic an acute viral respiratory disease after exposure to the fumes of metal oxides. Due to the similar presentation of an influenza-like illness, it remains an underdiagnosed disease. It is typically a benign and self-limited entity that resolves over 12-48 hours following cessation of exposure, but symptoms may reoccur with repeated exposure.

Accuracy of Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary systemic vasculitis in people 50 years of age and over, and it is considered a medical emergency due to the potential risk of permanent visual loss. Color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) of the temporal arteries is a rapid, noninvasive method to diagnose GCA. This study aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the halo sign in temporal arteries by CDU in people with suspected GCA.

Leaf coordination between petiole vascular development and water demand in response to elevated CO in tomato plants.

The rise in atmospheric CO has a profound impact on plants physiology and performance. Stomatal gas exchange such as reduction in water loss via transpiration and higher photosynthetic rates are among the key plant physiological traits altered by the increase of CO. Water acquired in plant roots is transported via the xylem vessels to the shoots.

Resilience Programs for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Resilience may be defined as the ability to recover and adapt to adverse situations. Given that resilience involves cognitive and behavioral aspects, it could be promoted based on strategies that favor them, especially during childhood and adolescence. As a result, several resilience-focused programs have been developed and studied.

Unexpected inferior vena cava syndrome: leiomyosarcoma.

Leiomyosarcomas arising directly from the blood vessels are rare. These tumours are formed from the muscular wall of either a major vein or artery. The authors describe the case of an 84-year-old woman with lower back pain with bilateral abdominal irradiation and marked peripheral oedema, who was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava after biopsy of an infrahepatic mass.

Metformin treatment before and during IVF or ICSI in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: The use of insulin-sensitising agents, such as metformin, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are undergoing ovulation induction or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles has been widely studied. Metformin reduces hyperinsulinaemia and suppresses the excessive ovarian production of androgens. It is suggested that as a consequence metformin could improve assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), pregnancy, and live birth rates.

Pharmacological treatment for Buerger's disease.

Background: Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) is a non-atherosclerotic, segmental inflammatory pathology that most commonly affects the small and medium sized arteries, veins, and nerves in the upper and lower extremities. The aetiology is unknown, but involves hereditary susceptibility, tobacco exposure, immune and coagulation responses. In many cases, there is no possibility of revascularisation to improve the condition.

Ketogenic Diet for Refractory Childhood Epilepsy: Beyond Seizures Control, the Experience of a Portuguese Pediatric Centre.

Introduction: Ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate diet, which can be used as a treatment for refractory childhood epilepsy. The first aim of this study was to evaluate its efficacy, in patients receiving ketogenic diet for at least three months, on epilepsy control, behaviour and awareness. The secondary aims were to evaluate the variation in the number of antiepileptic drugs, reasons for discontinuing the diet and adverse effects.

lilacs search strategy for systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

Background: There are few publications on search strategies to identify diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies in lilacs.

Objective: To translate and customise medline search strategies for use in lilacs and assess their retrieval of studies in Cochrane DTA systematic reviews.

Method: We developed a six-step process to translate and customise medline search strategies for use in lilacs (iAHx interface).

Statins for aortic valve stenosis.

Background:: Aortic valve stenosis is the most common type of valvular heart disease in the USA and Europe. Aortic valve stenosis is considered similar to atherosclerotic disease. Some studies have evaluated statins for aortic valve stenosis.

Chewing gum for enhancing early recovery of bowel function after caesarean section.

Background: Caesarean sections (CS) are the most frequent major surgery in the world. A transient impairment of bowel motility is expected after CS. Although this usually resolves spontaneously within a few days, it can cause considerable discomfort, require symptomatic medication and delay hospital discharge, thus increasing costs.

Statins for aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Aortic valve stenosis is the most common type of valvular heart disease in the USA and Europe. Aortic valve stenosis is considered similar to atherosclerotic disease. Some studies have evaluated statins for aortic valve stenosis.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for drug-resistant epilepsy.

Background: An estimated 1% to 3% of all individuals will receive a diagnosis of epilepsy during their lives, which corresponds to approximately 50 million affected people worldwide. The real prevalence is possibly higher because epilepsy is underreported in developing countries. Although most will achieve adequate control of their disease though the use of medication, approximately 25% to 30% of all those with epilepsy are refractory to pharmacological treatment and will continue to have seizures despite the use of two or more agents in adequate dosages.

Pharmacological treatment for Buerger's disease.

Background: Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) is a non-atherosclerotic, segmental inflammatory pathology that most commonly affects the small and medium sized arteries, veins, and nerves in the upper and lower extremities. The etiology is unknown, but involves hereditary susceptibility, tobacco exposure, immune and coagulation responses. In many cases, there is no possibility of revascularization to improve the condition.

Pharmacological treatment for Buerger's disease.

Background: Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) is a non-atherosclerotic, segmental inflammatory pathology that most commonly affects the small and medium sized arteries, veins, and nerves in the upper and lower extremities. The etiology is unknown, but involves hereditary susceptibility, tobacco exposure, immune and coagulation responses. In many cases, there is no possibility of revascularization to improve the condition.

Induction chemotherapy prior to surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy for oral cavity cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Locoregionally advanced oral cavity cancers are aggressive tumours with high risk of relapse after definitive treatment. This study was performed to assess the effectiveness and safety of induction chemotherapy prior to surgery for untreated oral cavity cancer patients.

Material And Methods: Only prospective phase III randomised studies comparing induction chemotherapy followed by surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy (Chemo Group) compared with surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy (Control Group) were eligible.

Metformin treatment before and during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: summary of a Cochrane review.

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, metformin treatment before or during assisted reproductive technology cycles increases clinical pregnancy rates and decreases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, there is no conclusive evidence of a benefit in live birth rates.

Accelerated partial irradiation for breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of 8653 women in eight randomized trials.

Background And Purpose: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is the strategy that allows adjuvant treatment delivery in a shorter period of time in smaller volumes. This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of APBI in breast cancer compared with whole-breast irradiation (WBI).

Material And Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of WBI versus APBI.

Metformin treatment before and during IVF or ICSI in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: The use of insulin-sensitising agents, such as metformin, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are undergoing ovulation induction or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles has been widely studied. Metformin reduces hyperinsulinaemia and suppresses the excessive ovarian production of androgens. As a consequence, it is suggested that metformin could improve assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), pregnancy and live birth rates.

Pharmacotherapy for sleep bruxism.

Background: Sleep bruxism is an oral activity characterized by involuntary teeth grinding or clenching during sleep. Several forms of treatment have been proposed for this disorder, including behavioural, dental and pharmacological strategies.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological therapy for the treatment of sleep bruxism compared with other drugs, no treatment or placebo.

Diacerein for osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal diseases. There is currently no consensus on what is the best treatment to improve OA symptoms and slow disease progression. Diacerein is an anthraquinone synthesised in 1980 that interferes with interleukin-1, an inflammatory mediator.

Methodological quality of systematic reviews and clinical trials on women's health published in a Brazilian evidence-based health journal.

Objectives: To assess the quality of systematic reviews and clinical trials on women's health recently published in a Brazilian evidence-based health journal.

Method: All systematic reviews and clinical trials on women's health published in the last five years in the Brazilian Journal of Evidence-based Health were retrieved. Two independent reviewers critically assessed the methodological quality of reviews and trials using AMSTAR and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Table, respectively.

Evaluation of a national evidence-based health care course via teleconference in a developing country.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Continuing health education is essential but challenged. In 2006, the Brazilian Cochrane Center, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, launched a mass teaching initiative in evidence-based health care (EBH) for public-sector professionals via teleconferencing. This 152-hour, interactive EBH course has enrolled over 4500 professionals.