A Comprehensive Review of the Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Weight Management and Their Effect on Metabolic Parameters Such as Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, and Blood Pressure.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been developed to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although, in the last 10 years, the use of GLP-1 RAs, especially semaglutide and liraglutide, has increased, its clinical implications and how it affects metabolic parameters have yet to be fully consolidated. This narrative review explores the metabolic effects of GLP-1 RAs in weight management, blood glucose, cardiovascular health, lipid profiles, and blood pressure.

Report of a Rare Case of Acute Abdominal Pain Post-partum: Spontaneous Ureteral Rupture.

Spontaneous ureteral rupture is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain, particularly unusual during pregnancy or the post-partum period. While pregnancy-related changes like ureteral compression and dilation may play a role, no definitive mechanisms have been established. Clinicians should suspect ureteric injury in post-partum patients with free pelvic fluid.

Long-term outcomes in five patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis treated with molgramostim inhalation solution.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP), which accounts for >90% of all cases of PAP, is a rare lung disease mediated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibodies that block GM-CSF signalling, leading to reduced surfactant clearance causing abnormal accumulation of alveolar surfactant and impaired gas exchange [1-3]. The current standard of care for aPAP is whole-lung lavage (WLL), which is invasive, resource intensive, carries procedural risk, does not address the underlying cause of disease and often must be repeated regularly [4]. Hence, there is a therapeutical need to address the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.

Questionnaire survey on the clinical application of Hall technique preformed metal crowns in caries of primary molars in China.

Objective: To analyze the clinical application and limiting factors of the Hall technique (HT) preformed metal crowns in caries of primary molars and to provide reference for its clinical application based on a questionnaire survey.

Materials And Methods: From June to December 2022, a questionnaire was distributed to pediatric dentists through the WeChat platform using "Questionnaire Star" to analyze the clinical application and influencing factors of the HT preformed metal crowns in caries of primary molars.

Results: A total of 700 survey questionnaires were distributed, and 650 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a effectiveness rate of 92.

Recommendations on Rapid Diagnostic Point-of-care Molecular Tests for Respiratory Infections in the United Arab Emirates.

Traditional testing methods in the Middle East Region, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly the testing of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenza, group A streptococcus (GAS), and COVID-19 have the potential to be upgraded to new and advanced diagnostics methods that improve lead time to diagnosis, consumption of healthcare resources and patient experience. In addition, based on the research, it was reported that there is an underreporting of respiratory cases, overuse of antibiotics, and prolonged hospitalizations which is posing pressure on UAE healthcare stakeholders. A literature review was done exploring UAE's current diagnostic practices, recommended guidelines, diagnostic gaps, and challenges in RSV, GAS, Influenza, and COVID-19.

Environment scan of generative AI infrastructure for clinical and translational science.

This study reports a comprehensive environmental scan of the generative AI (GenAI) infrastructure in the national network for clinical and translational science across 36 institutions supported by the CTSA Program led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the United States. Key findings indicate a diverse range of institutional strategies, with most organizations in the experimental phase of GenAI deployment. The results underscore the need for a more coordinated approach to GenAI governance, emphasizing collaboration among senior leaders, clinicians, information technology staff, and researchers.

Global Health research abstracts: June '24.

The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.

Global health research abstracts: December '24.

The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing in Pneumonia: Applications in the Detection of Responsible Pathogens, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence.

Background: Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) is a high-throughput and cost-effective diagnostic alternative for pneumonia, with the ability to simultaneously detect pathogens, antimicrobial resistance genes, and virulence genes. We aimed to explore the applicability of tNGS in the co-detection of the responsible pathogens, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, and virulence genes in patients with pneumonia.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted among patients with suspected pneumonia at Ruijin Hospital from March 1 to May 31, 2023.

A multi-country cohort database study to assess pregnancy and infant outcomes after potential maternal or paternal exposure to cladribine tablets in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: the CLEAR study methods and status update.

Background: Cladribine tablets are contraindicated during pregnancy; therefore, safety data on pregnancies exposed to this treatment are limited. CLEAR collects and describes pregnancy outcomes in this understudied population.

Objectives: To describe the main features of the CLEAR study design, including the data sources and the methodological approach, and provide a status update.

Association between prescribed stimulant medications and overdose among individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy: A retrospective cohort study from British Columbia, Canada.

Aims: We measured the association between prescribed stimulant medications and overdose among individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) for opioid use disorder.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using the British Columbia Provincial Overdose Cohort, a linked administrative database.

Setting: We used data from British Columbia, Canada, from January 2015 through February 2020.

Improving Parent and Therapist Experiences of Codelivering Intensive Upper Limb Interventions for Children With Hemiplegia: A Qualitative Study Using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Background: Partnership working between parents and therapists is a key component of family-centred care (FCC). Such partnerships in paediatric intervention delivery can help achieve required levels of dosage, intensity and embed interventions in the child's everyday activities. This study explores the experience and views of parents and therapists codelivering an intensive upper limb intervention programme for children with hemiplegia, to find ways to enhance successful partnership working.

Long-term colorectal cancer incidence in a post-endoscopic screening cohort, accounting for surveillance, by baseline polyp group, anatomic subsite, and sex.

Objectives: Colonoscopy surveillance is often performed in post-polypectomy cohorts, likely altering colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes, but this is often not addressed in CRC incidence analyses. We examined CRC incidence post-endoscopic screening, accounting for surveillance.

Methods: We examined UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Trial participants who had no, low-risk, or high-risk (≥10 mm, ≥3 adenomas, adenomas with villous features/high-grade dysplasia) distal polyps at screening.

Peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation: Your questions answered.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and kidney transplantation are important therapeutic options in patients with advanced kidney disease. This article delineates the relationship between PD and kidney transplantation in several key domains, including: (1) Comparative merits and limitations of PD versus center-based hemodialysis prior to kidney transplantation, (2) Patient outcomes after kidney transplantation in individuals receiving PD prior to kidney transplantation, (3) Perioperative management strategies of patients receiving PD at the time of kidney transplantation, and (4) The relative advantages and clinical outcomes of PD use following kidney allograft failure compared to other modalities. This article aims to provide comprehensive guidance for optimizing care across the PD-kidney transplant transitions continuum.

Robotic surgery for paediatric neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate in a systematic review the outcomes, benefits, and limitations of robot-assisted surgeries for paediatric neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), as robot-assisted techniques have emerged as a potential alternative, offering enhanced precision, dexterity, and visualisation.

Methods: This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO identifier CRD42023464849) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We included studies of paediatric patients (aged <18 years) with neurogenic LUTD undergoing robot-assisted continence surgery, assessing safety and efficacy.

Perioperative and periprocedural management of GLP-1 receptor-based agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors: narrative review and the STOP-GAP and STOP DKA-2 algorithms.

The GLP-1 receptor-based agonists (GLP-1RAs) and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are major 21 century breakthroughs in diabetes and obesity medicine but there are important safety considerations regarding the perioperative and periprocedural management of individuals who are treated with these agents. GLP-1RAs have been linked to an increased risk of retained gastric contents and pulmonary aspiration while SGLT2i can be associated with diabetic ketoacidosis. This manuscript provides a narrative review of the available evidence for perioperative and periprocedural risks in people prescribed GLP-1RAs and SGLT2i.

A Clinical Multicenter Trial of Recombinant Human Interferon Gamma in Tuberculosis (GAM2022) Experience with the Use of Human Recombinant Interferon Gamma in TB Practice.

Background: In this article, we present the results of a multicenter clinical trial of IFN-γ in patients with drug-susceptible and drug-resistant pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) in routine clinical practice.

Objective: This study aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of IFN-γ administered to patients with TB.

Methods: All patients were diagnosed with TB after being tested by bacterioscopic and molecular genetic methods and had no contraindications to standard chemotherapy.

Targeting CRM1 for Progeria Syndrome Therapy.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disease caused by progerin, a mutant variant of lamin A. Progerin anchors aberrantly to the nuclear envelope disrupting a plethora of cellular processes, which in turn elicits senescence. We previously showed that the chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM1)-driven nuclear export pathway is abnormally enhanced in patient-derived fibroblasts, due to overexpression of CRM1.

Gender-specific outcomes in pilonidal sinus disease: Female outcomes after cleft lift surgery in a large prospective Danish cohort.

Aim: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a common condition particularly affecting young men. Females affected by the condition account for about 20% of patients and are rarely mentioned, much less studied specifically. In this study we evaluate the surgical outcomes in a female population following Bascom's cleft lift (BCL) surgery in primary extensive disease, non-healing wounds after previous surgery and recurrent disease in a large Danish cohort from a high-volume centre.

Secondary Immunodeficiency.

The field of medicine is constantly changing and, as healthcare providers, we are fortunate to be practicing in a time when patients are living longer and novel therapeutic options continue to evolve. However, these new advances may be associated with adverse effects that practitioners need to be aware of. Some of these impair the immune system leading to secondary immunodeficiencies (SID) that increase host susceptibility to infections and other complications.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the body image life disengagement questionnaire in a sample of adolescents.

Background: The negative consequences of body image concerns manifest in ways such as negative emotional experiences, eating disorders, and problems with social life. The Body Image Life Disengagement Questionnaire (BILD-Q) is an instrument for assessing the impact of body image concerns specifically on adolescents' life disengagement. The objective of this study is to create a Chinese version of the BILD-Q and assess its validity and reliability with Chinese adolescents.

Enhancing the understanding of safety and the quality of patient care among medical and health sciences students in interprofessional climate: an interventional study.

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) plays an essential role in improving healthcare outcomes through achieving shared understanding. Unfortunately, most healthcare professionals have not received training for patient safety (PS) in an interprofessional setting, which can meet the societal medical needs. This study aimed to foster the understanding of senior medical, dental, pharmacy and health sciences students about PS and quality of care at the University of Sharjah (UoS) in UAE.

FGF21 and APOA1 mRNA-based therapies for the treatment of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) presents a significant clinical challenge with limited therapeutic options. The complex etiology and pathophysiology of AP emphasize the need for innovative treatments. This study explores mRNA-based therapies delivering fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), alone and in combination, for treating experimental AP.

Echocardiographic assessment of aortic regurgitation: a practical guideline from the British Society of Echocardiography.

Aortic regurgitation is the third most common valve lesion with increasing prevalence secondary to an ageing population. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a vital role in the identification and assessment of aortic regurgitation and proves essential in monitoring severity and determining the timing of intervention. Building on the foundations of previous British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) recommendations, this BSE guideline presents an update on how to approach an echocardiographic assessment of aortic regurgitation.

Understanding the pros and cons of spine surgery for ankylosing spondylitis: experience from a single institution study.

Introduction: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) presents a complex inflammatory condition with significant impact on patients' lives. Despite advancements in understanding its pathogenesis, comprehensive elucidation remains elusive. This study investigates the outcomes of corrective spine surgery in AS patients, aiming to optimize management strategies.