Evaluating photodynamic therapy as an adjuvant treatment for neovascular AMD: A comprehensive meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunct to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) intravitreal injections in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD).

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for keywords "macular degeneration" and "photodynamic therapy" and "placebo" or "ranibizumab" or "bevacizumab" or "aflibercept" from inception to 2023.

Clinical Outcomes of Therapeutic Interventions for Autoimmune Retinopathy: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

Topic: Autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) is a group of rare inflammatory diseases treated with immunosuppression; however, there is no treatment consensus. This meta-analysis and review aims to investigate treatment effectiveness in slowing AIR progression.

Clinical Relevance: Autoimmune retinopathy is a group of diseases characterized by progressive vision loss that is both difficult to diagnose and treat.

Impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on diabetic retinopathy: A meta-analysis of clinical studies emphasising retinal changes as a primary outcome.

Background: To determine if glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are associated with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to February 2024 to identify clinical studies reporting the development of and changes in DR as the primary outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes taking GLP-1RA, insulin, or oral antidiabetic medication (OAD). Two researchers independently completed the search and referred to a third as necessary.

Bariatric surgery efficacy in patients with mood disorders.

Background: Mood disorders are comorbid in patients with obesity and found in approximately 22.0% to 54.8% of patients who are eligible for bariatric surgery.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Versus Open Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis: A Literature Review.

Cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure performed worldwide for acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis occurs when the cystic duct is obstructed by a gallstone, which causes gallbladder distension and subsequent inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis is characterized by pain in the right upper quadrant, anorexia, nausea, fever, and vomiting.

Digesting the Impact of Diet on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Exploring Solutions for Controlling IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) plagues nearly a fifth of the general population. It is a chronic illness that can significantly lower quality of life (QoL) and work productivity. The relationship between diet and the functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms present in IBS is gaining more and more attention.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection-associated takotsubo syndrome: A systematic review of case reports.

Background: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is underdiagnosed and requires comprehensive angiographic findings. Few SCAD occurrences have a comparable clinical appearance as takotsubo syndrome (TTS) or exist simultaneously, making it challenging for clinicians to treat and manage. Case reports lack consolidated data.

A cognitive task analysis of expert surgeons performing the robotic roux-en-y gastric bypass.

Background: The safe and effective performance of a robotic roux-en-y gastric bypass (RRNY) requires the application of a complex body of knowledge and skills. This qualitative study aims to: (1) define the tasks, subtasks, decision points, and pitfalls in a RRNY; (2) create a framework upon which training and objective evaluation of a RRNY can be based.

Methods: Hierarchical and cognitive task analyses for a RRNY were performed using semi-structured interviews of expert bariatric surgeons to describe the thoughts and behaviors that exemplify optimal performance.

The Impact of Pregnancy on Diabetic Retinopathy: A Single-Site Study of Clinical Risk Factors.

Introduction: This study aimed to provide information on modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for the progression and development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This retrospective chart review case-control study was designed to provide perspective on clinical variables.

Methods: Single-center study analysis was completed with chart review, identifying 50 patients (100 eyes) ultimately included in the final analysis.

The Impact of Hypothyroidism on Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications: A Comprehensive Review.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders in the world and is characterized by excessive blood glucose levels, which lead to deranged carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolisms. At its core, DM is an impairment of insulin metabolism, leading to a plethora of clinical features. The thyroid gland is another vital cog in the wheel of the endocrine system, and the hormones synthesized by it are heavily involved in the control of the body's metabolism.

GLP-1 receptor agonists and diabetic retinopathy: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent research suggests that GLP-1 RAs may influence diabetic retinopathy (DR). We searched ClinicalTrials.

The Challenge of Endoleaks in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): A Review of Their Types and Management.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilatation of the abdominal aorta above 3 cm or 50% greater than the segment above. It is a dangerous condition accounting for a substantial number of deaths per year and increasing at an alarming rate. Various factors come into play in the development of AAAs, which this study has elaborated on, including smoking and old age, demographics, and comorbid conditions.

Surviving Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Navigating the Long Term Respiratory Effects.

 is a transmissible disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality all over the world. Tuberculosis has a number of risk factors, such as living in a developing country, poor ventilation, smoking, male sex, etc., which not only increase the chance of infection but may be independent factors for impairment in pulmonary function as well.

Neuroimaging in Alzheimer's Disease for Early Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, affecting roughly half of those over the age of 85. We briefly discussed the risk factors, epidemiology, and treatment options for AD. The development of therapeutic therapies operating very early in the disease cascade has been spurred by the realization that the disease process begins at least a decade or more before the manifestation of symptoms.

Atrial Fibrillation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Management Strategies.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is identified by apnea or hypopnea of the upper respiratory tract, which is associated with decreased oxygen saturation or awakening from sleep. A severe and prevalent association with OSA is atrial fibrillation (AF). This review article outlined numerous studies to understand the pathogenic pathways linked with developing OSA-associated AF and the therapeutic and preventive options available to reduce AF.

Right Lower Extremity Osteomyelitis With Alcaligenes faecalis in a Patient With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

() is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase(+) and catalase(+), obligate aerobe commonly found in soil or water. It has also been found in human intestinal microbiota and more rarely in hospital settings and is typically associated with opportunistic infections. Although it has intrinsic resistance to many commonly used antibiotics, it is increasingly found to have developed antibiotic resistance.

A Case of Pleural Tuberculosis vs Latent Tuberculosis Reactivation as a Result of COVID-19 Infection and Treatment.

The reactivation of latent tuberculosis occurs when a patient living with enters a state where the immune system is suppressed. Since early 2021, the standard of care has been to provide corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19 infection in hospitalized patients receiving supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation. The immunomodulatory effects of corticosteroids are potentially detrimental for patients with latent vs active tuberculosis, with concomitant SARS-CoV2 infection.

Inhaled Indomethacin-Loaded Liposomes as Potential Therapeutics against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Most lung cancer instances are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). As stated by recent literature, cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) is upregulated in lung adenocarcinomas. COX-2 relates to enhanced cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis; both of which are essential for an invasive tumor growth and metastasis.

Risk factors for the development or progression of diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy: Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population, and it increases in severity during pregnancy.

Methods: Systematic review of literature from PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science using keywords 'diabetic retinopathy' and 'pregnancy' and 'progression' from inception to 2021 was completed. Included studies were (1) peer-reviewed observational studies addressing progression/development of DR in pregnancy, (2) provided the number of diabetic patients that developed/progressed in DR during pregnancy, and (3) included differential data on variables between progression and non-progression groups.

Severe Thrombocytopenia Associated with Dengue Fever: An Evidence-Based Approach to Management of Thrombocytopenia.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness common in tropical and subtropical countries but very rare in the United States. Patients infected with dengue often present with thrombocytopenia. In the setting of dengue, platelet transfusions as a treatment for thrombocytopenia have no clear benefits in reduction of severe bleeding or improvement of the platelet count.

Identifying factors associated with detection of sessile gastric polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

 Gastric cancer (GC) is increasingly reported and a leading cause of death in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Identifying features in patients with FAP who harbor sessile gastric polyps, likely precursors to GC, may lead to alterations in endoscopic surveillance in those patients and allow endoscopic intervention to decrease the risk of GC. The aim of this study was to identify demographic and clinical factors in patients with FAP who harbor sessile gastric polyps.

Development of gelatin methacrylate (GelMa) hydrogels for versatile intracavitary applications.

Applicability of hydrogels as drug delivery systems is on the rise due to their highly tunable degree of polymeric crosslinking to attain varying rates of payload release. Sustaining the release of therapeutic payloads at certain physiological sites has been the need of the hour to treat disorders such as peritoneal or pleural malignancies. These disorders can be targeted intracavitary administration of hydrogels, providing localized therapy.

The Natural History of Asymptomatic Gallstones: A Longitudinal Study and Prediction Model.

Background & Aims: Despite the high prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones (AGs), there are limited data on their natural history. We aimed to determine the rate of symptom development in a contemporary population, determine factors associated with progression to symptomatic gallstones (SGs), and develop a clinical prediction model.

Methods: We used a retrospective cohort design.