PCo review

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce the risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and cardiovascular mortality among patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%. There is emerging evidence of the benefits of SGLT2i in HF patients with a higher LVEF (>40%). We aimed to evaluate the benefits of SGLT2i in different subgroups of patients with HF and LVEF >40%. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, clinicaltrials...

Decorin is an archetypal member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan gene family and is involved in various biological functions and many signaling networks, interacting with extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components, growth factors, and receptor tyrosine kinases. Decorin also modulates the growth factors, cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. It has been reported to be involved in many ischemic and fibrotic eye diseases, such as congenital stromal dystrophy of the cornea, anterior subcapsular fibrosis of the lens, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, et al...

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have attracted much attention for decades as they are the precursors of photochemical smog and are harmful to the environment and human health. Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photodegradation is a simple and effective method to decompose VOCs (ranging from tens to hundreds of ppmV) without additional oxidants or catalysts in the air at atmospheric pressure. In this paper, we review the research progress of VOCs removal via VUV photodegradation. The fundamentals are outlined and the key operation factors for VOCs degradation, such as humidity, oxygen content, VOCs initial concentration, light intensity, and flow rate, are discussed...

Photocatalysis is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) elimination due to its low cost, safe operation, energy efficiency, and high mineralization efficiency under ambient conditions. However, the practical applications of this technology are limited, despite considerable research efforts in recent decades. Until now, most of the works were carried out in the laboratory and focused on exploring new catalytic materials. Only a few works involved the immobilization of catalysts and the design of reactors for practical applications...

The capsular tension ring (CTR) can stabilize the capsule, support the lax zonules, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of lens epithelial cells. Clinically, CTR is mostly used in patients with zonular weakness, which can improve the stability of intraocular lens (IOL) and reduce the incidence of posterior capsular opacity (PCO). The relatively large capsular bag volume, zonular weakness in cataract patients with high myopia may increase the instability of IOL and PCO. Therefore, many clinicians have implanted CTR in cataract patients with high myopia...

Purpose of review: To review the current literature on patient centered goals for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Recent findings: Patients have a poor understanding of their PFDs, regardless if they had prior PFD treatments or received counseling, emphasizing the need for improved education from healthcare providers. Understanding the patient perspective provides insights into identifying patient goals, which facilitates communication and allows for tailored counseling, management of expectations, and assessment of treatment response...

Objective: A meta-analysis is used to explore the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the risk of Sleep disturbances. Method: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases are searched by computer from their establishment to 1 May 2022. Review Manager 5.4 software is used for the meta-analysis. Results: A total of nine articles are included, with 1,107 subjects. The results show that PCOS is positively associated with the risk of Sleep disturbances. Comparing with the "PCOS group" (experimental group) with the "NON-PCOS group" (control group), the incidence of Sleep disturbances is higher (OR = 11...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate quantitative autofluorescence (qAF8) in patients with and without early or intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD); to determine the impact of the aged crystalline lens and posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Methods: In phakic and pseudophakic eyes ≥60 years, AMD status was determined by the Beckman system. PCO presence and severity was extracted from clinical records. qAF8 was calculated using custom FIJI plugins...

Background: The high prevalence of trauma exposure and consequent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well documented in low- and middle-income countries, and most individuals with PTSD have limited access to treatment in these settings. Freely available internet-based interventions, such as PTSD Coach (web-based and mobile application), can help to address this gap and improve access to and efficiency of care. Objective: We conducted two pilot studies to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of PTSD Coach in a South African resource-constrained context...

This review concentrates on how artificial cells can contribute to helping patients with COVID-19. Artificial cells have led to mRNA vaccines with more improvements to come. Excessive cytokines in severe COVID-19 can damage organs leading to death. Artificial cell-based collodion macroporous activated charcoal adsorbent can effectively remove middle molecular weight range molecules in patients. A novel hemoperfusion device based on collodion membrane macroporous synthetic resin effectively removes cytokines and recovery in COVID-19 patients...

BACKGROUND: Mesh infection is the most feared postoperative complication after abdominal wall hernia repair, often needs mesh removal. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used in these situations with diverse results. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the NPWT in the treatment of mesh infection, the primary outcome was the mesh salvage rates of different type of meshes and mesh positions. METHODS: Major databases were searched using the keywords negative pressure wound therapy, VSD, vacuum assisted, hernia, mesh infection, including various combinations of the terms...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome and complications after implantation of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis (Kpro) in two groups of eyes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 28 eyes with failed Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) (Group A) and 31 eyes with severe ocular surface diseases who implanted Kpro. Follow-up was performed for a mean 37 months. Primary outcomes were Kpro retention and visual improvement, secondary outcomes included the occurrence of complications as endophthalmitis, retro-prosthesis membrane (RPM), intraocular pressure (IOP) abnormalities, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), graft thinning and extrusion...

BACKGROUND: The calcification of the tooth pulp is a pathological condition that occurs in response to various factors. A uncommon haematological condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by bouts of haemolysis, and it requires long-term use of glucocorticoids (GCs). CASE PRESENTATION: A female patient who was diagnosed with PNH and had a history of long-term use of GCs came to our department for root canal therapy (RCT) for teeth 25, 26, and 27...

Advances in cataract surgery have increased the demand for intraocular lens (IOL) materials. At present, the progress of IOL materials mainly contains further improving biocompatibility, providing better visual quality and adjustable ability, reducing surgical incision, as well as dealing with complications such as posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and ophthalmitis. The purpose of this review is to describe the research progress of relevant IOL materials classified according to different clinical purposes...

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air are considered a major threat to human health and environmental safety. The development of applicable technologies for the removal of VOCs is urgently needed. Nowadays, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) based on metal-containing photocatalysts has been regarded as a promising method. However, unmodified photocatalysts are generally limited in applications because of the narrow light response range and high recombination rate of photo-generated carriers. As a result, nano metal-containing photocatalysts doped with elements or other materials have attracted much attention from researchers and has developed over the past few decades...

BACKGROUND: Acute bronchiolitis is one of the most frequent causes of emergency department visits and hospitalisation in children up to three years of age. There is no specific treatment for bronchiolitis except for supportive treatment, which includes ensuring adequate hydration and oxygen supplementation. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) aims to widen the lungs' peripheral airways, enabling deflation of overdistended lungs in bronchiolitis. Increased airway pressure also prevents the collapse of poorly supported peripheral small airways during expiration...

PURPOSE: In clinical practice, many patients complained that their knees became larger after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), yet no studies have described this phenomenon. We named this as "patient-perceived enlargement of knee" (PPEK). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PPEK after TKA; assess the association between PPEK and demographics, surgical options, or component size; assess the influence of PPEK on patient satisfaction and functional outcomes; and determine whether there was radiological difference between patients with or without PPEK...

PURPOSE: To review the literature on crystalline lens epithelial cell (LEC) removal in routine phacoemulsification and determine whether it should be incorporated as part of a surgeon's standard technique. DESIGN: Perspective. METHODS: Expert commentary with video demonstrations on techniques of removal of LECs and associated potential complications. Discussion incorporates the importance of LEC removal, a review of techniques to prevent posterior capsular opacification (PCO), and the effects of intraocular lens design on LEC proliferation and PCO...

Luxation injuries and other stimuli may lead to a pulp canal obliteration (PCO). Even though the apposition of tertiary dentine is a sign of a vital pulp, in some cases root canal treatment is indicated in the long term due to apical periodontitis or pulpitis. Depending on the extent of PCO, root canal treatment may be challenging even for experienced and well-equipped endodontic specialists. The 'guided endodontics' (GE) technique was introduced 6 years ago as an alternative to conventional access cavity preparation for teeth with PCO and apical pathosis or irreversible pulpitis...

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), one of the most important gaseous air pollutants, are getting more and more attention, and a lot of technologies have been studied and applied to eliminate VOCs emissions. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are considered as one of the most promising techniques used for the degradation of VOCs. Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) catalytic oxidation system is a typical composite AOPs system involving several processes such as VUV photodegradation, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), ozone catalytic oxidation (OZCO) and their combinations...