Catheter-directed therapy for pulmonary embolism in pediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious and potentially fatal condition that is relatively rare in the pediatric population. In patients presenting with massive/submassive PE, catheter-directed Therapy (CDT) presents an emerging therapeutic modality by which PE can be managed.

Methods: Electronic databases were systematically searched through May 2024.

Rotational Atherectomy Followed by Modified (Cutting or Scoring) Balloon Versus Plain Balloon Before Drug‑Eluting Stent Implantation for Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Meta-Analysis.

Coronary calcification is a major factor leading to stent under-expansion, and subsequent adverse events. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the short and long‑term outcomes of rotational atherectomy (RA), followed by modified balloon (cutting or scoring) (MB) versus plain balloon before drug‑eluting stent implantation for calcified coronary lesions. We searched PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), from inception until 30 January 2024.

Validation of the Perceived hope scale in Arabic-speaking adults living in Gaza in the midst of war, destruction and death.

Background: Despite its obvious relevance for clinical practice and research, it is surprising that presently no hope measure is available for use among Arabic-speaking populations, especially the most vulnerable ones who have been going through major humanitarian crises. This paper aimed to provide novel insights into psychometric information on the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Perceived Hope Scale (PHS) in Palestinians living in Gaza who have endured several months of suffering since the war began in October 2023.

Method: This study had a cross-sectional design and applied a quantitative research approach.

Outcomes of Concomitant Mitral Intervention in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Surgery?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Contemporary Evidence.

The 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines advise not to perform mitral valve replacement (MVR) during septal myectomy (SM) to alleviate outflow obstruction. This study aims to review outcomes after concomitant mitral valve (MV) intervention versus SM alone. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across Embase, PubMed, and Scopus.

Food insecurity and weight loss during wartime: a mixed-design study from the Gaza Strip.

Background: Food insecurity is an important aspect of human suffering during wartime. Besides its ferocity, the Gaza conflict of 2023-2024 has been marked by severe food and medication shortages that exacerbated the human toll and worsened the suffering of the population.

Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study that in April 2024 collected quantitative and qualitative data to assess food insecurity and malnutrition among residents of the Northern part of the Gaza Strip during the first seven months of the war.

Management of Fracture-Related Infection in Conflict Zones: Lessons Learned from Medical Missions to Gaza.

: Fracture-related infections (FRIs) are a significant complication in conflict zones, where limited resources and damaged infrastructure complicate orthopedic care. : This study retrospectively reviews the management of FRIs during medical missions to Gaza from April to July 2024. : Among 135 patients treated for war-related fractures, 30% were identified with suspected FRIs, which were primarily following explosive injuries.

Psychological impacts of the Gaza war on Palestinian young adults: a cross-sectional study of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms.

Background: The Gaza Strip has been embroiled in a violent military assault since October 2023, with an immense toll on the civilian population. Armed conflicts threaten the mental health of affected communities and survivors, and psychiatric morbidity increases with forced displacement and with severe and recurrent trauma. This study investigates the prevalence and predisposing factors of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms in a group of young adult students from the Gaza Strip during the war.

There are dementia patients in Gaza too.

This editorial highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing Israeli military assault in Gaza on dementia patients, whose fragile care systems have collapsed, leaving them vulnerable and without essential medical support. Through harrowing stories of displacement, medication shortages, and tragic deaths, the piece underscores the profound moral failure in protecting Gaza's most vulnerable, calling for urgent global action to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure dignity and healthcare for all affected individuals.

ER and doctors' preparedness to manage status epilepticus: a multi-institutional survey from the Gaza Strip.

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a top neurological and medical emergency. Adequate staff knowledge and sufficient hospital resources are mandatory for timely management and better outcomes. This study aims to evaluate Palestinian ER doctors' knowledge and beliefs towards SE and assess the state and availability of hospital resources needed to manage SE appropriately.

Trauma care supported through a global telemedicine initiative during the 2023-24 military assault on the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory: a case series.

Background: Hospitals, patients, and health-care workers are legally protected by international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. However, since Oct 7, 2023, the health-care system in the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory, has been under unprecedented direct military attacks by Israel, with support for patients proving to be challenging for the remaining health-care workers. Peer-to-peer telemedicine holds promise for assisting surgeons in high-risk, low-resource environments, but might be of reduced utility in extremely austere settings.

The Global Impact of Multisystemic Vulnerabilities on Criminal Variety: A Cross-Continental Study in Young Adults.

Previous research has shown a robust association between different childhood and adolescent vulnerabilities and youth offending. However, these investigations have primarily focused on youths from high-income Western countries. Consequently, the generalizability of these findings to better inform global justice policies remains uncertain.

Knowledge and skill level among non-healthcare providers regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in the Middle East (Arab countries): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Effective education is considered by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a vital variable in improving outcomes of cardiac arrest. Studies have shown that the level of knowledge and attitude of non-healthcare providers towards resuscitation training varies widely across the globe. While some training methods and barriers to training have been discussed, the literature is still quite vague and unclear regarding resuscitation training, particularly in the Middle East.

Efficacy and Safety of Colchicine in Pediatric Pericarditis: A Systematic Review and Future Directions.

Pediatric pericarditis presents challenges in its management, necessitating effective therapeutic interventions. Colchicine, known for its efficacy in adults, requires further investigation for its application and safety in pediatric cohorts. A systematic search across renowned databases identified relevant literature on colchicine use in pediatric pericarditis.

Quantitative Analysis of the Synergy of Doping and Nanostructuring of Oxide Photocatalysts.

In this paper, the effect of doping and nanostructuring on the electrostatic potential across the electrochemical interface between a transition metal oxide and a water electrolyte is investigated by means of the Poisson-Boltzmann model. For spherical nanoparticles and nanorods, compact expressions for the limiting potentials at which the space charge layer includes the whole semiconductor are reported. We provide a quantitative analysis of the distribution of the potential drop between the solid and the liquid and show that the relative importance changes with doping.

Leptin in reproduction and hypertension in pregnancy.

Leptin has important roles in numerous physiological functions, including those in the regulation of energy balance, and in immune and reproductive systems. However, in the recent years, evidence has implicated it in a number of obesity-related diseases, where its concentrations in serum are significantly elevated. Elevated serum leptin concentrations and increased placental leptin secretion have been reported in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been presented as a potential therapeutic option for patients with cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction (CS-MI). We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ECMO in CS-MI.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials obtained from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science until September 2023.

Comparative analysis of geriatric hip fracture management outcomes in teaching and nonteaching hospitals in Jordan.

Hip fractures are common orthopedic injuries that have significant impacts on patients and healthcare systems. Previous studies have shown varying outcomes for hip fracture management in different settings, with diverse postoperative outcomes and complications. While teaching hospital settings have been investigated, no studies have specifically examined hip fracture outcomes in teaching hospitals in Jordan or the broader Middle East region.

The Best Second Arterial Conduit for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Meta-Analysis of Reconstructed Individual Patient Data.

Multiple arterial conduit revascularization in coronary bypass surgery is being advocated over the use of venous conduits. However, there is a critical gap regarding the optimal sequence of arterial conduit selection following the left internal thoracic artery. This study is the first individual patient data meta-analysis, which aimed to compare the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) versus the radial artery (RA) as a second-best arterial conduit.