Comparison of Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, and Vitamin K Antagonists in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Liver Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with liver disease present unique challenges in anticoagulation management due to increased risks of both thromboembolism and bleeding. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran, with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in this specific patient population. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, identifying seven studies (six observational and one randomized controlled trial) that met our inclusion criteria.

Examining Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels Among Kidney Disease Patients in the United States Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Database: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Kidney diseases have a gradual and subtle onset, which usually results in end-stage renal disease with patients requiring renal replacement therapy. Though pharmacotherapy plays a crucial role, integrating lifestyle modifications like increased physical exercise has been associated with significant improvement in health for kidney disease patients.

Aims: This study aims to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of self-reported physical activity among patients of kidney disease in the United States, based on demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare access variables for the year 2021.

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.

Heart Transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Long-Term Prognosis and Effects on Mental Health.

Heart transplantation and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have emerged as crucial interventions for end-stage heart failure, dramatically improving patient outcomes. This narrative review examines their historical context, indications, procedures, and outcomes, as well as their impact on long-term survival, quality of life, functional status, and mental health. While heart transplantation remains the optimal treatment, donor scarcity limits its application.

The Complicated Case of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Associated With Delayed-Onset Prosthetic Joint Infection: A Case Report and Review of Management Strategies.

(), an opportunistic Gram-positive bacterium, is notorious for causing a plethora of clinical diseases. While it does not typically infect healthy skin, infections are prevalent in both community-acquired and hospital-acquired settings. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and progressive bone erosion, can be managed medically and, in moderate to severe cases, surgically through arthroplasty.

Down Syndrome: Evaluating Disparities in Place of Death in the United States Using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC-WONDER) Database Over 22 Years.

Introduction: The Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) ensures that individuals with irreversible cessation of circulatory, respiratory, or brain functions receive timely palliative care. Our research has focused on identifying disparities in mortality among individuals with Down syndrome (DS) based on gender, age, racial groups, and geographic regions within the United States over 22 years. This study aims to analyze differences in the location of death, including hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care facilities, and unspecified locations, considering demographic and regional variables.

Comparative Profiles of the WATCHMAN™ and Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug/Amplatzer™ Amulet™ Devices for Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia marked by irregular and frequent tachycardic rhythms in the atria, affecting 1%-2% of the general population. The WATCHMAN™ device from Boston Scientific (Marlborough, MA, USA) and the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ device from Abbott (Chicago, IL, USA) are two devices used globally for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in non-valvular AF. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Elsevier's ScienceDirect literature databases to identify studies comparing the WATCHMAN™ procedure with Amulet™ device implantation for LAAC in patients with AF.

Comparative Analysis of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Conventional Radiation Therapy in Cancer Pain Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: Approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic cancer endure pain directly attributable to the disease. Consequently, it becomes imperative to address pain management through a comparative analysis of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and conventional radiation therapy (CRT), especially in light of the less efficacious improvement achieved solely through pharmacological interventions.

Materials And Methods: A systematic exploration was undertaken on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Elsevier's ScienceDirect databases to identify studies that compare Stereotactic Radiotherapy to Conventional radiation therapy for pain management in individuals with metastatic bone cancer.

Graham Patch Repair of a Prepyloric Ulcer Complicated by Recurrent Abdominal Abscesses and Leukocytosis: A Case Report.

This case report describes the clinical course of a 51-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of anemia who presented to the emergency department with worsening diffuse abdominal pain and weakness two days after dental surgery. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated, manifesting as tachycardia, diaphoresis, and a peritonitic abdomen. A CT scan revealed a perforated gastric ulcer, prompting emergent laparoscopy, Graham patch repair, and abdominal washout.

Application of CRISPR/Cas9 in the management of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease: a review.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases system (CRISPR/Cas9) is a popular gene-editing technology with an expanding scope in the field of medicine. Recent studies have investigated the role of CRISPR/Cas9 system in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Since the risk of occurrence of both conditions is strongly associated with genetic mutations and variations, the use of gene-editing technologies to rectify these genetic errors becomes relevant.

Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy-Induced Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Review of the Efficacy of Proton Pump Inhibitors as a Management Strategy: Review of the Literature.

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a minimally invasive procedure that is very effective in the treatment of achalasia, a rare esophageal motility disorder. POEM has become the first-line treatment for achalasia, with high success rates reported in the literature. However, a known complication of POEM is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Gender Disparities in First Authorship in Publications Related to Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The medical profession has experienced a significant increase in the number of women practitioners in recent decades, leading to a reduction in the gender gap. According to the United States Medical Association, approximately 25% of physicians in the United States are now women. Although this progress is evident in the clinical setting, women's representation in academic medicine remains disproportionately low.

Detection and management of latent rheumatic heart disease: a narrative review.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a public health concern in many developing nations around the world. Early detection of latent or subclinical RHD can help in reversing mild lesions, retarding disease progression, reducing morbidity and mortality, and improving the quality of life of patients. Echocardiography is the gold-standard method for screening and confirming latent RHD cases.

Through the Eyes: A Case of Ocular Syphilis.

Syphilis is a bacterial disease caused by Treponema pallidum and is sexually transmitted via vaginal, anogenital, or orogenital contact. Vertical transmission between mother and unborn child is also possible, but transmission via skin-to-skin or blood contact is rare. The objective of this case is to highlight this rare ocular manifestation of syphilis as it manifests as a multisystemic disease affecting many organ systems.

Gender Disparity of First Authors in Review Article Publications Related to Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic condition that can be diagnosed when certain symptoms, such as disorganized speech, disorganized thoughts, or negative feelings, are present for at least six months in a person's life. Gender equity and representation in academic writing are significant issues that have received more attention recently. Understanding the gender discrepancies in authorship can help researchers studying schizophrenia overcome obstacles and potential biases.

Revascularization Modalities in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Review of the Current State of Evidence.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) stands as a leading global cause of mortality, underscoring the importance of effective prevention, early diagnosis, and timely intervention. While medications offer benefits to many patients, revascularization procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and emerging hybrid approaches remain pivotal for ACS management. This review delves into the 2018 ESC/EACTS guidelines alongside an analysis of existing literature to shed light on the spectrum of revascularization methods.

The Role of Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets in Reducing Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Reporting Adjusted Data.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with prolonged prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and increased D-dimer levels. Therefore, we aim to investigate if anticoagulants (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) therapy play a role in mitigating COVID-19 and its associated thrombosis along with its effect on the mortality rate, the need for mechanical ventilation, and the risk of hospital admission. Electronic databases were searched from their inception to July 19, 2022.

Keloid Development After Fine Needle Aspiration of the Thyroid: A Rare Case and Review of Management Strategies.

Keloids are pathological scars characterized by abnormal proliferation of tissue as a result of cutaneous injury. There is a high prevalence of keloid development in certain ethnicities. Individuals from African, Hispanic, and Asian backgrounds have a higher likelihood of developing keloids when compared to Caucasians.

Advancements in Marburg (MARV) Virus Vaccine Research With Its Recent Reemergence in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania: A Scoping Review.

Given the recent outbreaks of the Marburg (MARV) virus within the first quarter of the year 2023, interest in the MARV virus has been re-ignited given its shared phylogeny with the dreadful Ebola virus. This relation gives some insight into its virulence, associated morbidities, and mortality rates. The first outbreak of MARV recorded was in Germany, in 1967, of which seven died out of 31 reported cases.

Celiac Disease Masquerading as Extreme Thrombocytosis and Severe Anemia in a 52-Year-Old Female Patient: A Rare Case Presentation and Literature Review.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by an immune-mediated response to gluten, resulting in small intestinal mucosal damage. While gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are commonly associated with CD, atypical presentations can pose diagnostic challenges, particularly when hematological abnormalities are the primary manifestation. We report a case of a 52-year-old female patient who presented with paraesthesia, numbness in her hands and feet, marked thinness, extreme thrombocytosis, severe anemia, and mild electrolyte imbalance.

Overt Hypothyroidism Status Post Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccination: A Case Study.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is among the most contagious viral illnesses, affecting millions worldwide. Although precautions such as social distancing, hand sanitizing, and the use of masks decreased the transmission of the virus, the situation went uncontrolled until vaccination came to light. Vaccination was vital in limiting the incidence, prevalence, and severity caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Eclampsia-Associated Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) Complicated by Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Review of Management Strategies.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiological syndrome that is being increasingly recognized due to the advancements in brain imaging, specifically MRI. This syndrome is characterized by symptoms including, but not limited to, headache, seizures, altered mental status, and vision loss. There are various underlying etiologies which lead to PRES occurrence; the etiology of focus in this report is preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Persistent Postoperative Delirium Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Gallstones are the primary cause of symptomatic gallbladder disease and lead to a significant portion of hospitalizations related to gastrointestinal diseases. The gold standard treatment for gallbladder disease continues to be cholecystectomy, which is commonly done laparoscopically, and improves patients' quality of life. With any surgical intervention there are inherent risks, and in the setting of severe illness, the risk of potential complications increases immensely.