Physician-scientists or celebrities? Kardashian-index of gastroenterologists.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic unleashed a flood of untrustworthy information on social media platforms, resulting in the unfortunate consequence of expert scientists' opinions getting lost amidst the chaotic sea of misinformation. The question of how much influence these esteemed scientists hold on social media platforms remains elusive. To address this scientific quandary, we sought to explore the concept of the Kardashian index (K-index), a term introduced by Hall in 2014.

The Spasmolytic, Bronchodilator, and Vasodilator Activities of Are Explained by Anti-Muscarinic and Calcium Antagonistic Mechanisms.

is traditionally used in different areas of Pakistan to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, and vascular diseases. This study evaluates the underlying mechanisms for traditional uses of in diarrhea, asthma, and hypertension. In vitro pharmacological studies were conducted using isolated jejunum, trachea, and aortic preparations, while the cytotoxic study was conducted in mice.

Using oral anticoagulants among chronic kidney disease patients to prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among affected patients. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and warfarin remains the main stay of its treatment. Due to novelty and unclear risk-to-benefit ratio of direct oral anti-coagulants (DOAC), they remain underutilized in preventing VTE among CKD patients.

Fluoroquinolones and the Risk of Aortopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Recent studies have raised concerns that fluoroquinolone use is associated with an increased risk of aortopathy, including aortic aneurysm with and without dissection.

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis with a comprehensive literature review to further investigate this association.

Methods: This analysis was conducted per PRISMA guidelines.

Impact of Acquired Thrombocytopenia on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acquired thrombocytopenia (aTP) is associated with a high frequency of bleeding and ischemic complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Herein, we report a meta-analysis evaluating the adverse effects of aTP on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality post-PCI.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and, clinicaltrials.

Efficacy of Ibrutinib-Based Regimen in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Systematic Review.

Ibrutinib has shown to have better efficacy than standard chemoimmunotherapy in del17 positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients; however its role in del17 negative patients is less clear. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of ibrutinib-based regimens in CLL. Seven databases were searched in accordance with PRISMA statement guidelines using the following keywords: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CLL, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, and PCI-32765.

Clove oil based co-surfactant free microemulsion of flurbiprofen: Improved solubility with ameliorated drug-induced gastritis.

Flurbiprofen, an NSAID, is a water insoluble drug that is also notorious for gastric irritation and inflammation. This study was aimed at using a natural gastrprotective oil as the internal phase to develop flurbiprofen micro emulsion (ME) to improve it solubility and ameliorate its gastric side effects. Upon screening of ME components for drug solubility, clove oil, tween 80 and transcutol were identified as the oil, surfactant and co surfactant, respectively, with higher flurbiprofen solubility.

Venous thromboembolism risk with contemporary lenalidomide-based regimens despite thromboprophylaxis in multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Thromboprophylaxis is routinely used with lenalidomide-based regimens in multiple myeloma because of a substantial risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, little is known about the incidence of VTE with contemporary lenalidomide-based regimens. The objective of the current study was to estimate the incidence of VTE despite thromboprophylaxis with currently used lenalidomide-based regimens in patients with myeloma.

Is It Really SUMP Syndrome? A Case Report.

Sump syndrome is a rare, long-term complication with a prevalence ranging from 0% to 9.6% in patients with a history of side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy. Choledochoduodenostomy was originally performed to achieve drainage of the common bile duct in high-risk patients with low morbidity, which was commonly done in the pre-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography era.

Adjuvant Therapy in High-Risk Renal Cell Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating risk-benefit for adjuvant postoperative treatments in high-risk renal cell carcinoma by assessing reported disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), toxicity, and quality of life.

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify relevant RCTs (from database inception through May 15, 2018). The results of the ATLAS trial were published while writing this manuscript, and the manuscript was updated accordingly.

Progressive left lower extremity weakness in a patient with multiple myeloma: A diagnostic dilemma.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a type of plasma cell dyscrasia that can present as solitary tumor or secondary to multiple myeloma. We experienced a case of intramuscular plasmacytoma in the left thigh muscles of a patient secondary to multiple myeloma. A 73-year-old male with relapsed multiple myeloma and bilateral hip arthroplasty complained of lxeft lower limb weakness and hip pain 3 months after relapse.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms with Administration of Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy for Multiple Myeloma.

Lenalidomide is commonly used as induction or maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma. We report a case of 71-year-old female presenting with tardive dyskinesia-like symptoms one month after starting her lenalidomide maintenance therapy after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue. Her symptoms evolved over days to pronounced uncontrollable limb movements, tongue smacking, lip-smacking, abnormal sounds, and tongue biting.

Significant Risk of Graft-versus-Host Disease with Exposure to Checkpoint Inhibitors before and after Allogeneic Transplantation.

Investigators are using checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) to treat aggressive hematologic malignancies in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and in some patients with relapsed disease after allo-HSCT. CTLA-4 inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors are 2 main types of CPIs, which work through activation of the immune system. On one hand, CPIs can achieve graft-versus-tumor effect, and on the other hand, there is a risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Treating Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in the Very Old or Frail Patients.

R-CHOP has been the standard of care for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), curing approximately 60% of patients for more than 2 decades. However, the optimal treatment of patients who are too frail to tolerate this regimen and/or are not candidates for anthracycline therapy continues to be debated. MInT and GELA trials established addition of rituximab to CHOP in DLBCL but excluded patients older than 80 years.

Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Lung/Pleura: An Incidental Finding.

A 59-year-old male with a medical history of abdominal aortic dissection underwent a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan abdomen, which showed an incidental pleural-based mass in the left lung base. The patient underwent an ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy and the histology was consistent with spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC). Staging workup was concerning for a metastatic lesion on the adrenal gland.

Possible Predictive Factors for In-hospital Cardiac Arrest in Patients with Cancer: A Retrospective Single Center Study.

Background: Despite cancer being the second most common cause of death in the United States, more people are living longer after the diagnosis of cancer than before. Healthcare workers will be treating an increasing number of patients with cancer. Various studies have identified predictors of cardiac arrest in the general population, however, none have been done to identify such factors in cancer patients who form a more vulnerable group with lower survival rate following cardiac arrest.

Disease Milestones through Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Cited Articles in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for 1.6% of all cancers and 5%-10% of all hematologic malignancies in the United States (US). Despite marked progress in disease management, it remains incurable with high rates of relapse.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Spectrum Disease: A Primer for the Primary Care Physician.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. Individuals with psoriasis may develop cutaneous, articular, and systemic manifestations, which are a source of significant morbidity and a heightened risk of mortality, and may adversely impact patient-reported quality of life measures.

Prophylaxis for Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in the Era of Drug Resistance and Newer Antivirals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are at a very high risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr). Lamivudine is commonly used as prophylaxis against HBVr in high-risk patients undergoing allo-HSCT. Unfortunately, its efficacy is diminishing due to the development of HBV mutant drug-resistant strains.