Metabolite Biomarkers for Early Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with a poor prognosis. This poor prognosis is largely attributed to a late-stage diagnosis. Recent advancements in metabolomics have emerged as a promising avenue for biomarker discovery in PDAC.

Comparative outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery versus open thoracic surgery in pediatric pulmonary metastasectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy in pediatric patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy for various malignancies. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies comparing VATS and open thoracotomy in pediatric patients. The treatment effects for continuous outcomes were compared using mean differences (MDs), and binary endpoints were evaluated using odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Impact of Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Viral Shedding on COVID-19 Disease Outcome and Viral Dynamics.

This article aimed to review the current literature on the impact of continuous shedding of the COVID-19 virus in infected patients in relation to disease outcome variables and viral dynamics. Electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and MedlinePlus were searched using relevant keywords, restricting the selection to thirty-two peer-reviewed articles and four gray literatures from the WHO websites. Findings from this study showed that several variables such as sex, age, immune status, treatments, and vaccines were found to affect the outcomes associated with the COVID-19 virus shedding.

Craniosynostosis in Africa: Insights from Eight Countries-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Craniosynostosis is a congenital skull deformity that impacts development and quality of life of children if left untreated. This study aimed to evaluate literature regarding presentation, treatment and outcomes of craniosynostosis in Africa.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature using PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

An Integrated Pathophysiological and Clinical Perspective of the Synergistic Effects of Obesity, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia on Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review.

This review paper explores the synergistic effects of obesity, hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia on cardiovascular health by integrating pathophysiological and clinical perspectives. Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat, HTN, defined by elevated blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia, indicated by high blood lipid levels, are globally prevalent conditions that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The interplay between these conditions exacerbates cardiovascular risk through mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and atherogenesis.

Analyzing Knowledge Status and HIV Linkage to Care: Insights From America's HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard (AHEAD) National Database.

Background: Understanding knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and timely linkage to care are crucial for improving health outcomes among individuals living with HIV. This study analyzes trends in HIV knowledge status and linkage to care using data from America's HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard (AHEAD) National Database.

Methods: A retrospective database analysis was conducted utilizing the AHEAD National Database, focusing on individuals diagnosed with HIV from 2017 to 2022.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents Regarding Neonatal Jaundice in Abia State Children's Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Neonatal jaundice, characterized by the yellow discoloration of an infant's skin and eyes, is a common condition that affects newborns. It results from an elevated level of bilirubin in the blood and, when severe, if left untreated, can lead to complications such as acute bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus, which can cause permanent neurological damage or even death. In low-resource settings like Nigeria, delayed recognition and inadequate management of neonatal jaundice are significant contributors to neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Challenges in Orthopedic Surgical Decision-Making for Multilevel Vertebrae Fractures.

Vertebral fractures commonly occur in postmenopausal women due to decreased bone density, a condition known as osteoporosis. They can occur after minimal trauma or even during routine activities. Vertebral fractures occur predominantly in individuals with a high fall risk.

Preventive Antibiotic Use and Complications After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients Hospitalized for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Background: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends prophylactic antibiotics before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We assessed the impact of this approach on the incidence of post-ERCP outcomes using nationwide data.

Methods: Using 2015-2021 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data and relevant ICD-10 codes, we analyzed adult hospitalizations for PSC who underwent ERCP, with and without antibiotic prophylaxis.

Revolutionizing Healthcare: How Telemedicine Is Improving Patient Outcomes and Expanding Access to Care.

Telemedicine uses digital technologies to provide healthcare services remotely, greatly improving patient access, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review investigates telemedicine's effects on patient outcomes, access to care, and its role in the evolving healthcare landscape. Relevant studies were identified using MeSH terms and keywords through electronic databases and manual reference list screenings.

Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis in an Older Adult: A Case Report and Review.

Metformin is a widely prescribed medication for the management of type 2 diabetes. It is known to have a high safety index; however, it can cause serious adverse effects such as lactic acidosis, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease. Elderly patients are at higher risk of developing metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) due to aging kidneys.

A Rare Presentation of Epiploic Appendagitis as Chest Pain: A Case Report.

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is an ischemic infarction of an epiploic appendage due to torsion or spontaneous thrombosis of the central vein of an epiploic appendage. It is a rare but benign and self-limiting cause of abdominal pain that is often misdiagnosed. The typical presentation of EA is lower abdominal pain, but pain can also occur in other parts of the abdomen.

Analyzing Obesity Trends in American Children and Adolescents: Comprehensive Examination Using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Database.

Background In the USA, obesity in children and adolescents has become a major public health concern. Childhood obesity has been linked to various cardiometabolic comorbidities all through one's life. Owing to the significant increment in childhood obesity rates, there has been an urgent need for the identification of the correlates and antecedents of adiposity and the cardiometabolic risk to enable early prevention of obesity.

FDA-Approved Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK-STAT) Inhibitors for Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disease causing chronic joint inflammation and, in more serious cases, organ involvement. RA typically affects people between the ages of 35 and 60; however, it can also afflict children younger than the age of 16 years and can also demonstrate a pattern of remission later in the disease course. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, exercise, and patient education are all used in the management of RA, which is divided into symptomatic management and disease-modifying management (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation, thereby preserving joint function.

Commonly used diagnostic label, classes, domain, and formulation among nursing students in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria.

Background: In order to select nursing actions that will produce the desired results, a nursing diagnosis is crucial. Despite this, it can be challenging for nursing students to recognize and create precise nursing diagnostic labels that are particular to a patient's situation. The study's objectives are to identify the diagnostic labels, classes, and domains that are frequently formulated by nursing students.