Medical practice

Introduction: The increased prevalence, severity, and mortality of heart disease and specifically heart failure among Hispanic and Black populations are a concern for clinicians and researchers. Additionally, patients of poor socioeconomic status also have worse outcomes for cardiovascular disease. To address disparities, it is necessary to address the persistent lack of representation in clinical research of diverse populations, including the Hispanic and Black populations and individuals who are of low socioeconomic status...

The link between inflammation and cancer is well documented and colonic inflammation caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is thought to be a high-risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The complex crosstalk between epithelial and inflammatory cells is thought to underlie the progression from inflammation to cancer. The present review collates and summarises recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBD-associated CRC (IBD-CRC), including the oncogenic mechanisms of the main inflammatory signalling pathways and genetic alterations induced by oxidative stress during colonic inflammation, and discusses the crosstalk between the tumour microenvironment, intestinal flora and host immune factors during inflammatory oncogenesis in colitis-associated CRC...

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world due to its high incidence and recurrence. Genetic instability is one of the main factors leading to its occurrence, development and poor prognosis. Decreased xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) expression notably enhances the stem cell properties of lung cancer cells and increases their proliferation and migration. Additionally, patients with lung cancer and low XPC expression had a poor prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of XPC and IFN-γ on the clinical prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)...

OBJECTIVES: Clinical trials of innovative neural implants are rapidly increasing and diversifying, but little is known about participants' post-trial access to the device and ongoing clinical care. This exploratory study examines common practices in the planning and coordination of post-trial access to neurosurgical devices. We also explore the perspectives of trial investigators on the barriers to post-trial access and ongoing care, as well as ethical questions related to the responsibilities of key stakeholder groups...

Renal lymphangiectasia, a rare entity of the renal lymphatic system affecting both genders and all ages, can manifest bilaterally or unilaterally and has been referred to by various terms, such as renal lymphangiomatosis, renal lymphangioma, and others. Distinguishing this condition from common pathologies, such as polycystic kidney disease or hydronephrosis, is crucial. This article presents an innovative clinical case of unilateral renal lymphangiectasia in a 67-year-old woman with a relevant medical history...

The rapid evolution of emerging technologies in healthcare is reshaping the field of medical practices and patient outcomes, ushering in an era of unprecedented innovation. This narrative review touches upon the transformative impacts of various technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), the internet of medical things (IoMT), remote patient monitoring (RPM), financial technology (fintech) integration, cloud migration, and the pivotal role of machine learning (ML). It emphasizes the collaborative impact of these technologies, which is reshaping the healthcare landscape...

Artificial intelligence (AI) has come to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing medical practices, particularly in the field of pancreatic cancer detection and management. As a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, pancreatic cancer warrants innovative approaches due to its typically advanced stage at diagnosis and dismal survival rates. Present detection methods, constrained by limitations in accuracy and efficiency, underscore the necessity for novel solutions. AI-driven methodologies present promising avenues for enhancing early detection and prognosis forecasting...

This systematic review aims to compare the efficacy and safety of a novel immunotherapy with low-dose interleukin 2 (IL2) across two of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Contemporary therapeutic practices have not been able to achieve complete remission from these autoimmune disorders. In contrast, low-dose IL2 has shown promise in achieving this therapeutic goal via inducing self-tolerance in patients with autoimmune diseases; however, due to variable irregularities among autoimmune processes of variable diseases, the benefit of low-dose IL2 could not be determined among different autoimmune diseases...

BACKGROUND: Patient education plays a critical role in healthcare, influencing outcomes and resource utilization. However, effectively integrating patient education into clinical practice remains challenging due to time constraints and inconsistencies in information delivery. Enhancements in Electronic Health Records (EHR) offer potential solutions by facilitating customized, quality education delivery. This study investigates the impact of an EHR-enhanced patient education intervention on short-term revisit rates to healthcare facilities...

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), which was first described in 1996, is a neurologic condition characterized by a combination of clinical and neuroimaging findings. PRES may arise in the context of preeclampsia, eclampsia, renal failure, and sepsis, among other conditions. Neuropsychiatric symptoms of PRES include altered mental status, agitation, and in some cases psychosis. PRES occurring in the postpartum period is understudied, especially with regard to its psychiatric manifestations...

INTRODUCTION: The underrepresentation of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the medical field, particularly in ophthalmology, poses a critical challenge to achieving diversity and equity. While URMs constitute 19% of medical school attendees, their presence is markedly lower in ophthalmology residency programs and among practicing ophthalmologists. This study seeks to investigate the prevalence of diversity statements on ophthalmology residency program websites and their role in the underrepresentation of URMs within the field...

BACKGROUND: The preferred standard treatment for retrosternal goiter (RSG), a slow-growing, often benign tumor, remains thyroidectomy. An alternative strategy may be required when the goiter is intrathoracic. Data on the results of RSG procedures are rarely reported. Careful patient selection and assessment are critical to avoiding an unexpected sternotomy during surgery and postoperative complications. This study aims to examine the clinical findings and treatment outcomes of RSG and to identify the variables affecting postoperative complications in a resource-limited setting...

Introduction The use of robotic-assisted surgeries (RAS) has been growing in surgical specialties. It allows surgeons to perform higher-quality operations with fewer complications, mortality, and morbidity. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about RAS among patients. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, awareness, and future expectations of RAS in patients attending surgical clinics. Methods  A cross-sectional study was conducted in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) surgical clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia...

CONTEXT: The intrauterine device (IUD) is one type of long-acting reversible contraceptive that is becoming increasingly popular among patients and healthcare providers alike, though many are deterred from using this option due to pain or fear of pain with IUD insertion. While the IUD insertion process itself is standardized, the use of pain medication is not. There is a lack of research regarding provider preference in analgesic use for IUD insertion procedures, which analgesics are being provided to patients, and under which circumstances...

Introduction Sharp object injuries in the medical field present a considerable occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs), encompassing a spectrum of consequences from immediate discomfort to enduring health consequences. These injuries may expose HCWs to potential infections. Despite efforts to control sharp object injuries in healthcare environments, they are present at every stage involving using or disposing of medical sharp instruments. In Jordan, limited research has focused on sharp object injuries, with most data included from studies concentrating on practicing nurses or nursing students...

Virtual reality (VR) has advanced in medical education and rehabilitation from basic graphical applications due to its ability to generate a virtual three-dimensional (3D) environment. This environment is mostly used to practice professional skills, plan surgery procedures, simulate surgeries, display 3D anatomy, and rehabilitate various disorders. VR has transformed the field of rehabilitation therapy by providing immersive and engaging experiences that go beyond traditional bounds, significantly improving patient care and therapeutic results...

Background Colorectal cancer constitutes a significant public health challenge, despite remarkable strides made in the last two decades, particularly in the medical management of metastatic stages. Notable progress has been achieved through targeted therapies such as anti-epidermal growth factor receptors or anti-angiogenic antibodies, as well as advancements in surgical approaches for hepatic metastases. This study seeks to assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in individuals with metastatic colorectal cancer...

BACKGROUND: As the surgical burden grows, increasing patient safety during anesthesia and surgery becomes a major global public health priority. Anesthesia can be safely administered in higher-income countries, yet it is more challenging in third-world countries. This study focuses on Sudan, a third-world country, and its unmet anesthetic needs before the current war and how these needs might compromise the post-war status. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare Sudan's outstanding anesthesia requirements to the World Health Organization's safe anesthesia practice standards in terms of workforce, medications, equipment, and anesthesia conduct...

INTRODUCTION: digital health has been demonstrated to improve the efficiency and scale of health service delivery in resource-limited settings. Understanding factors influencing its use could accelerate the process of its implementation in routine practice. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional analytic study in Buea and Tiko health districts from January to May 2021. We included healthcare workers selected using multistage stratified sampling. Use of digital health was defined as using at least two digital tools and one digital health intervention (DHI) or at least two DHIs by a healthcare worker...

INTRODUCTION: blood transfusion remains an essential therapeutic intervention, but the occurrence of transfusion reactions makes its administration even more complex. Vigilant reporting of such reactions by recipients of blood products is essential for effective haemovigilance. This study aimed to determine the frequency and nature of transfusion reactions. METHODS: conducted over five years (2017-2021) at the Haemovigilance Department of the Rabat Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, this retrospective study exploited incident forms notified by health establishments and data from the regional blood transfusion centre's computer system...