Publications by authors named "Wilhelmina N Hauwanga"

Soft tissue sarcomas are malignant tumors characterized by heterogeneity and are associated with a high mortality rate. Histopathological grading is considered a pivotal factor in prognostication and treatment planning. While core needle biopsy exhibits high accuracy in determining tumor histology, it fails in some cases, potentially misclassifying high-grade tumors as low-grade.

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary cardiovascular condition marked by heart muscle thickening, fibrosis, and myocardial disorders. It is often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Symptoms include dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

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  • - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition leading to both motor symptoms (like tremors and stiffness) and non-motor symptoms that affect daily living, with an increasing prevalence, especially in older populations.
  • - A review of treatment options for PD shows an uptick in research since 2000, peaking from 2011 to 2016, with significant contributions from the U.S., China, Canada, and the U.K.
  • - The study used a bibliometric analysis of over 3,700 PD publications to identify key researchers, trends in pharmacological therapies, and the impact of major institutions on current research and treatment methodologies.
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Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) pose significant clinical challenges due to their complex healing processes and the often incomplete functional recovery. This review and bibliometric analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of advancements in peripheral nerve regeneration research, focusing on trends, influential studies, and emerging areas. By analyzing 2921 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection, key themes such as nerve regeneration, repair, and the critical role of Schwann cells were identified.

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  • Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive brain tumor in adults with complex genetics, making it difficult to treat effectively; current therapies are limited and often ineffective.
  • This systematic review, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, analyzed studies from several databases to explore emerging treatments focused on glioblastoma stem cells and advanced drug delivery systems, culminating in 24 eligible peer-reviewed articles from an initial 755 found.
  • While the review highlights promising new therapies, it points out limitations like potential language bias, variability among studies, and reliance on preclinical models, emphasizing the need for continuous research in this complex area.
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  • - Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a painful condition treated through various surgical methods, including microvascular decompression (MVD) and stereotactic radiosurgery such as Gamma Knife.
  • - MVD offers substantial long-term relief but has varying recurrence rates, while GKRS provides good initial pain relief but may require repeat procedures over time.
  • - The review stresses the need for personalized treatment plans and careful patient selection to improve outcomes, as each surgical option has its own risks and effectiveness depending on the patient's specific situation.
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Cancer therapy advancements have improved survival rates but also introduced significant cardiotoxic risks. Cardiotoxicity, a critical adverse effect of cancer treatments such as doxorubicin, trastuzumab, and radiotherapy, poses substantial challenges. This systematic review synthesizes findings from studies on cardiotoxicity induced by cancer therapies, focusing on detection and management.

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Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a prevalent heart muscle disease characterized by ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction, leading to severe heart failure (HF) and often requiring heart transplantation (HTx). This systematic review aimed to synthesize information regarding the role of ventricular assist devices (VADs) in managing HF patients due to DCM. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases for studies published between 2014 and 2024.

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  • - Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heart condition caused by prolonged electrical repolarization, which can lead to serious arrhythmias, and is identified through an extended QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG).
  • - Treatment typically involves beta-blockers for higher-risk patients, while lifestyle changes and regular monitoring apply to intermediate and low-risk patients; implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be necessary for those with severe cases.
  • - Despite advancements in AI aiding diagnosis and management, significant gaps in understanding LQTS remain, indicating a need for further research on risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies.
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Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder marked by elevated blood glucose levels, is increasingly prevalent globally, significantly impacting health-related quality of life. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production, presents a substantial public health challenge, necessitating comprehensive management strategies. Conventional treatments, including lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy, are essential for glycemic control and preventing complications.

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  • Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited heart condition that leads to abnormal heart rhythms and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, primarily caused by mutations in the SCN5A gene.
  • Diagnosis can be tricky due to its hidden ECG signs and symptoms that resemble other heart disorders, mostly affecting young, healthy males.
  • Treatment mainly involves managing symptoms and preventing sudden death, primarily through implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), with recent advancements in catheter ablation and specific medications like quinidine showing promise despite challenges in long-term management and availability.
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Introduction Renal failure, comprising acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), involves a decline or loss of kidney function. AKI is sudden and reversible, with a rapid decline in function over hours to days, while CKD involves persistent abnormalities lasting at least three months. Developing countries are seeing a rise in AKI cases, especially in critically ill patients.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Neuropathic pain in MS is a debilitating symptom that significantly impairs the quality of life for a substantial proportion of MS patients. Neuropathic pain in MS stems primarily from demyelination, axonal loss, CNS inflammation, and direct damage to the myelin sheath, leading to pain manifestations such as ongoing extremity pain, Lhermitte's phenomenon, and trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

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Neuropathic pain (NP), resulting from damage to the somatosensory system, is characterized by either spontaneous or evoked pain. In the context of NP, wherein aberrant signaling pathways contribute to the perception of pain, the thalamus emerges as a key player. This structure is integral to the pain network that includes connections to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, highlighting its role in the affective-motivational aspects of pain perception.

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Neuropathic pain is a challenging condition. Despite the immense progress made in the pathophysiology and treatment of such conditions, so much work still has to be done. New frontiers previously unexplored are now objects of study with exciting results, mainly regarding neuromodulation and optogenetics.

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Pain management is a critical aspect of cancer treatment and palliative care, where pain can significantly impact quality of life. Chronic pain, which affects a significant number of people worldwide, remains a prevalent and challenging symptom for patients. While medications and psychosocial support systems play a role in pain management, surgical and radiological interventions, including cingulotomy, may be necessary for refractory cases.

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Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provoked disruptions in healthcare delivery. Following the recommendations of major surgical societies and surgical departments globally, most surgeries were widely canceled or postponed, causing significant disruptions to healthcare delivery worldwide, including in Brazil. Brazil's public healthcare system - Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) was particularly affected, with a substantial decline in elective procedures, especially during the pandemic's early stages.

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Background Cerebrovascular disease is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability following heart disease. In 2019, there were over 101 million people living with a stroke and 12.2 million incidents of stroke globally.

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Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provoked disruptions in healthcare delivery, leading to the cancellation and postponement of various health services, including surgery. Numerous countries closed their borders and established laws mandating the use of face masks and social distancing and enforced lockdowns, and various activities were constrained. Brazil, the largest and most populous country in Latin America, also experienced a rapid and sustained surge in infections and deaths.

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