A scoping review of the reporting quality of reviews of commercially and publicly available mobile health apps.

Objectives: There is no guidance to support the reporting of systematic reviews of mobile health (mhealth) apps (app reviews), so authors attempt to use/modify the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). There is a need for reporting guidance, building on PRISMA where appropriate, tailored to app reviews. The objectives were to describe the reporting quality of published mHealth app reviews, identify the need for, and develop potential candidate items for a reporting guideline.

Surgical Practice in Resource-Limited Settings: Perspectives of Medical Students and Early Career Doctors: A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Surgical practices in low-resource countries often fail to meet established standards. Both doctors and medical students have limited exposure to surgical cases, which hinders training and the development of surgical specialization. This study highlights the current state of surgical practice from a trainee's perspective, explores existing gaps in training and capacity building, and recommends practical solutions.

Empirical design of population health strategies accounting for the distribution of population health risks.

Recent discussions in epidemiology have emphasised the need to estimate the heterogeneous effects of risk factors across the distribution of health outcomes for better aetiological understanding of the determinants of population health. We propose using quantile regression-based decomposition to expand the empirical discussion on population health intervention strategies for health equity by incorporating population homogeneity/heterogeneity in the risk-outcome association. We theorised that the 'proportionate universalism' approach presumes population homogeneity in the risk-outcome association with varying risk intensities, which decomposition analysis shows as the 'covariates part' between groups.

Disparate Use of Diagnostic Modalities for Patients With Limited English Proficiency and Neurologic Disorders.

Background And Objectives: Limited English proficiency (LEP) impairs health access-including outpatient specialty care-and quality care, i.e., inappropriate use of diagnostic tests.

The Roots of Health Inequality and the Value of Intrafamily Expertise.

In the context of Sweden, we show that having a doctor in the family raises preventive health investments throughout the life cycle, improves physical health, and prolongs life. Two quasi-experimental research designs-medical school admission lotteries and variation in the timing of medical degrees-support a causal interpretation of these effects. A hypothetical policy that would bring the same health behavior changes and benefits to all Swedes would close 18 percent of the mortality-income gradient.

The Modified Frailty 5-Factor Index Predicts Adverse Outcomes After Ventral Hernia Repair in a National Database.

Background: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a common procedure performed on a comorbid patient population at risk for complications, necessitating effective preoperative risk assessment. Previous research suggests that frailty better predicts adverse outcomes compared with historical risk proxies including age. We examined the association between frailty as measured by the 5-factor modified frailty index and postoperative complications following VHR as reported in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Reinnervation of Free Nipple Grafts Associated With Improved Erection Function.

Background: Most patients undergoing breast surgery with free nipple grafts lose nipple erection (NE) function. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nerve preservation and reconstruction with targeted nipple-areola complex reinnervation (TNR) on NE following gender-affirming mastectomy with free nipple grafting.

Methods: Patients undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy with free nipple grafts were prospectively enrolled.

Long-term Breast Shape Analysis After Short-scar Reduction Mammaplasty: A Critical View.

Background: Over the past 2 decades, vertical scar reduction mammaplasty techniques have been gaining more acceptance. However, many surgeons are still hesitant to use it routinely because of the uncertainty of the effectiveness of vertical scar techniques in managing lower pole skin excess. We aimed to test its efficacy by using objective anthropometric measurements to evaluate long-term breast shape and lower pole stability.

Improved Diet Quality in Elite and Entry-Level Military Women Compared With Civilian-Matched Counterparts.

Background: Dietary intake is a modifiable factor linked to short-term and long-term health. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is an objective measure to assess diet quality and population-level comparisons, like military to civilian.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize diet quality of early-career and mid-career female soldiers compared with that of age-matches and sex-matched civilians and to link indicators of cardiometabolic disease risk to dietary outcomes and health status.

Precision medicine in gynecological cancer (Review).

The advent of personalized and precision medicine has revolutionized oncology and treatment of gynecological cancer. These innovative approaches tailor treatments to individual patient profiles beyond genetic markers considering environmental and lifestyle factors, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. Precision medicine uses advanced genomic technologies such as next-generation sequencing to perform comprehensive tumor profiling.

Continuous reference intervals for plasma cystatin C and creatinine in Vietnamese children.

Background: Serum (plasma) creatinine and cystatin C are widely used in pediatric clinical practice to assess glomerular filtration rate. Both markers have limitations due to the low index of individuality, which affects the clinical sensitivity of population-based reference intervals, especially when wide age ranges are considered. This study aimed to establish age-related reference intervals for plasma cystatin C and creatinine in Vietnamese children.

Correlation Analysis of Direct LDL Measurement and Calculated LDL Methods in Lipid Profile Assessment: A Comprehensive Study.

Introduction: Assessing LDL cholesterol is pivotal for cardiovascular risk evaluation. While direct LDL measurement is accurate, calculated LDL methods offer practicality and cost-effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between direct LDL measurement and various calculated LDL methods, shedding light on their clinical utility.

Vitamin D Controversies in the Laboratory Medicine: A Review of Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations.

A narrative review of the main guidelines and recommendations published from 2011 up to date about the status of vitamin D deficiency has been carried out. The objective of this review is to discuss the origin of the controversy about the status of this entity, as well as the evolution of the methodological aspects and clinical situations that require vitamin D screening. The results obtained indicate that the criteria defining vitamin D status, according to two studies published in 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations and the Endocrine Society (ES) guidelines, regardless the affected population.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Creatinine-Based Equations for eGFR Estimation in Pakistanis: Evaluation of the European Kidney Function Consortium Equation vs the CKD-EPI Pakistan Equation.

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is prevalent in Pakistan, necessitating accurate diagnostic methods. This study evaluates the CKD-EPI 2009, CKD-EPI 2021, CKD-EPI Pak, MDRD, and EKFC equations against creatinine clearance (CrCl) to determine their diagnostic accuracy for CKD in the Pakistani population.

Methods: n a retrospective cross-sectional study, data from 2,310 participants aged 18-70 were analyzed at The Aga Khan University in Karachi.

Adolopment of Recommendations for Standardized Reporting of Protein Electrophoresis in Pakistan.

Introduction: The standardization of reporting in clinical laboratories, particularly regarding Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) and Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP), is crucial for effective communication of findings to clinicians and optimal patient management. However, in countries like Pakistan with limited healthcare resources and a prevalent self-payment model, challenges arise in achieving standardized reporting practices. This manuscript addresses the need for standardized guidelines for protein electrophoresis reporting in Pakistan, aiming to enhance laboratory practices and patient care.

Impact of periampullary diverticulum on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: bridging the gap between fiction and reality.

Introduction: Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is frequently discovered in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Studies have yielded conflicting results regarding its impact on the technical success of ERCP and post-ERCP complications.

Aim: This study aims to assess the success and safety of ERCP in patients with PAD.

Ophthalmological manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease under the watchful eye of a gastroenterologist from a tertiary centre.

Introduction: Ophthalmological manifestations (O-EIM) are one of the extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although their frequency and potential relationship with disease activity and treatment remain underestimated.

Aim: The aim of this screening questionnaire was to assess the number of EIM, including O-EIM, among patients with IBD.

Material And Methods: 436 patients with IBD and 102 patients without IBD were included in this single-centre retrospective study.

The role of intestinal ultrasound with colour Doppler in predicting the response to biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease patients are exposed to frequent procedures and hospital admissions as well as recurrent need for radiological examinations with a high risk of exposure to radiation and contrast.

Aim: Our objective was to evaluate the role of a combination of both intestinal ultrasound (IUS) and colour Doppler with different parameters for monitoring changes in inflammation over time and to reveal their potential role in the assessment of response to biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Material And Methods: Before the induction of biological therapy, IUS together with colour Doppler of the intestine was conducted.

Impact of cefixime and probiotics on functional abdominal bloating: a pilot study.

Introduction: Abdominal bloating is a prevalent condition that affects up to 30% of the population.

Aim: Investigate the impact of cefixime and probiotics on the bloating sensation among patients with functional abdominal bloating (FAB).

Material And Methods: Out of 763 patients with bloating, 122 patients were diagnosed with FAB.

Gastric cancer in Ukraine: epidemiologic data and its nosological structure between 2003 and 2020.

Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the world's leading causes of death due to oncological diseases. Gastric cancer comprises a diverse group of diseases that includes several oncological units.

Aim: To analyse the nosological structure of epidemiological data related to gastric cancer in Ukraine and compare it with global trends from 2003 to 2020.

Colorectal cancer and microbiota: systematic review.

Introduction: The gut microbiome maintains the mucus membrane barrier's integrity, and it is modulated by the host's immune system.

Aim: To detect the effect of microbiota modulation using probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, and natural changes on colorectal cancers (CRCs).

Methods: A PubMed search was conducted to retrieve the original and articles published in English language from 2010 until 2021 containing the following keywords: 1) CRCs, 2) CRCs treatment (i.

Birds of a feather? Mis- and dis-information on the social media platform X related to avian influenza.

Objective: Social media has become an important tool in monitoring infectious disease outbreaks such as coronavirus disease 2019 and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Influenced by the recent announcement of a possible human death from H5N2 avian influenza, we analyzed tweets collected from X (formerly Twitter) to describe the messaging regarding the HPAI outbreak, including mis- and dis-information, concerns, and health education.

Methods: We collected tweets involving keywords relating to HPAI for 5 days (June 04 to June 08, 2024).