Exploring dementia service gaps and barriers in the Australian Capital Territory: a qualitative study.

Background In recent years, there has been increased recognition of the importance of unmet needs of services for people with dementia regionally and nationally. This study aimed to explore the service gaps described by health and aged care providers in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to inform decisions regarding dementia care services. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 health and aged care service providers, managers, and stakeholders providing dementia services in the ACT in 2022 and 2023.

Pilot of a multicomponent program for people with dementia and their care partners: Health services staff expectations, experiences and observations.

There is increased recognition of the need to improve post-diagnostic pathways for people with dementia and their care partners living in the community to access rehabilitation services to support independence and wellbeing. However, there is minimal evidence on implementing rehabilitation services for this population. The study aimed to present the expectations and experiences of allied health staff involved in piloting the Sustainable Personalised Interventions for Cognition, Care and Engagement (SPICE) program based at an outpatient clinic of a public rehabilitation hospital.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a simple and reliable indicator of insulin resistance, which is an important contributor to the development of hypertension. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the dose-response association between the TyG index and the incidence of hypertension. An extensive search was conducted through several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, until June 1, 2024.

Howell-Jolly Body-Like Inclusions in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Possible Novel Findings.

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to distinguish febrile patient infected by SARS-CoV-2 or bacterial causes. Howell-Jolly bodies are a well-known entity found in red blood cells. They are nuclear fragments, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly observed in the peripheral blood smears of hyposplenic or asplenic patients.

Composition and Bioactivity of a Modified Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are key drugs in targeted cancer therapy. However, they may cause skin toxicity. We previously prepared a modified Huang-Lian-Jie-Du (mHLJD) decoction cream using 10 herbs, which effectively alleviated EGFRI/TKI-induced skin toxicity.

Elevated De Ritis Ratio Is Associated With Poor Prognosis in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis aims to assess whether elevated De Ritis ratio is associated with poor prognosis in patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and EuropePMC databases up until September 17, 2021. De Ritis ratio is also known as Aspartate aminotransferase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio.

Long-Term Post-Stroke Functional Outcomes: A Comparison of Diabetics and Nondiabetics.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to influence outcomes in the short term following stroke. However, the impact of DM on long-term functional outcomes after stroke is unclear. We compared functional outcomes periodically over 7 years between diabetic and nondiabetic ischemic stroke patients, and investigated the impact of DM on the long-term trajectory of post-stroke functional outcomes.

The effects of aspirin on the outcome of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Repurposing the use of aspirin to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is a sensible approach. However, several previous studies showed conflicting results. This meta-analysis was aimed to assess the effect of aspirin on the outcome in patients with COVID-19.

In-depth review of cardiopulmonary support in COVID-19 patients with heart failure.

Coronavirus disease 2019 infection has spread worldwide and causing massive burden to our healthcare system. Recent studies show multiorgan involvement during infection, with direct insult to the heart. Worsening of the heart function serves as a predictor of an adverse outcome.

Diabetes and COVID-19: The past, the present, and the future.

Diabetes, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world, is strongly associated with a poor prognosis in COVID-19. Scrupulous blood sugar management is crucial, since the worse outcomes are closely associated with higher blood sugar levels in COVID-19 infection. Although recent observational studies showed that insulin was associated with mortality, it should not deter insulin use in hospitalized patients requiring tight glucose control.

The association between triglyceride-glucose index and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus-a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Abstarct: AIMS: We aimed to assess the dose-response relationship between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: We performed a comprehensive systematic literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase for records published from inception until 9 February 2021. The effect estimates were reported as relative risks (RRs).

Visceral adiposity, subcutaneous adiposity, and severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Body mass index (BMI) has previously been shown to increase mortality and disease severity in patients with COVID-19, but the pooled effect estimate was heterogeneous. Although BMI is widely used as an indicator, it cannot distinguish visceral from subcutaneous fat. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between visceral adiposity, subcutaneous fat, and severe COVID-19.

The use of Janus Kinase inhibitors in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The evidence of using JAK inhibitors among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is conflicting. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to address the efficacy of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors in reducing risk of mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Several electronic databases, including PubMed, EuropePMC, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with relevant keywords "COVID-19″ AND ("JAK inhibitor" OR "Ruxolitinib" OR "Tofacitinib" OR "Fedratinib" OR "Baricitinib") AND ("Severe" OR "Mortality"), were used to perform a systematic literature search up to December 11, 2020.

Proton pump inhibitor on susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The negative impacts of proton pump inhibitor (PPI), including the risk of pneumonia and mortality, have been reported previously. This meta-analysis aimed to address the current interest of whether the administration of PPI could increase the susceptibility and risk of poor outcome in COVID-19.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search from PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost, and EuropePMC databases up until 3 December 2020.

Delirium and Mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Older adults are indisputably struck hard by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The main objective of this meta-analysis is to establish the association between delirium and mortality in older adults with COVID-19.

Methods: Systematic literature searches of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were performed up until 28 November 2020.

Clinical Characteristics of De Novo Heart Failure and Acute Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure: Are They Distinctive Phenotypes That Contribute to Different Outcomes?

Heart failure is currently one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Patients with heart failure often present with acute symptoms and may have a poor prognosis. Recent evidence shows differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between de novo heart failure (DNHF) and acute decompensated chronic heart failure (ADCHF).

In-hospital use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of mortality in coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19): systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The idea of treating COVID-19 with statins is biologically plausible, although it is still controversial. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to address the association between the use of statins and risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Several electronic databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with relevant keywords up to 11 November 2020, were used to perform a systematic literature search.

Thrombocytopenia as a prognostic marker in COVID-19 patients: diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate thrombocytopenia as a prognostic biomarker in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase and EuropePMC. The main outcome was composite poor outcome, a composite of mortality, severity, need for intensive care unit care and invasive mechanical ventilation.

Successful Nucleoside Analog and Corticosteroid Therapy for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in a Patient With Hepatitis B Virus Liver Cirrhosis.

Here, we describe the case of a 44-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, who was admitted with progressive muscle weakness and paresthesia in all extremities. He showed slight icterus. Positive HBV e-antigen test, significant HBV-deoxyribonucleic acid load, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, mild ascites, and demyelinating peripheral axonal lesions in both sensory and motor nerves led to the diagnosis of Child-Pugh class B HBV cirrhosis with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Challenge in diagnosis of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patient: a case report and brief review of the literature.

Diagnosis of COVID-19 in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on hemodialysis is challenging,  as the symptoms are often atypical. Herein, we reported a confimed case of COVID-19 in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis. A 38-year-old man with ESKD on regular hemodialysis initially presented with progressive shortness of breath and dry cough, without fever.

Lethal Arrhythmia () in COVID-19: An Event Synergistically Induced by Viral Associated Cardiac Injury, Hyperinflammatory Response, and Treatment Drug?

Arrhythmias in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are prevalent and deserve special attention because they are associated with an increased risk of fatal outcome. The mechanism of arrhythmia in COVID-19 remains unclear. Here, we report our first case of confirmed COVID-19 with documented Torsade de Pointes (TdP).

Elevated interleukin levels are associated with higher severity and mortality in COVID 19 - A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Background And Aims: COVID 19 pneumonia commonly leads to ARDS. The occurrence of ARDS in COVID 19 patients is thought to occur secondary to an exaggerated immunologic response. In this meta-analysis, we aim to comprehensively study the various levels of immunological parameters in patients with COVID 19.

Clinical frailty scale and mortality in COVID-19: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Introduction: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) endorsed clinical frailty scale (CFS) to help with decision-making. However, this recommendation lacks an evidence basis and is controversial. This meta-analysis aims to quantify the dose-response relationship between CFS and mortality in COVID-19 patients, with a goal of supplementing the evidence of its use.

The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia and the association of physical exercise with quality of life of uninvestigated dyspepsia patients in Indonesia: An internet-based survey.

Background: Epidemiological data on the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD) and its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Indonesian population are still lacking. There is no study investigating the association between exercise and the HRQOL in UD patients. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of UD and its association with physical exercise, and its impact on HRQOL in Indonesian patients with UD.