Review

Evolving evidence suggests that Janus Kinase Inhibitors (JAKi) may predispose to certain infections, including tuberculosis and human herpes viruses. This review aimed to compare the infection risk in patients on a systemic JAKi for a dermatologic indication to a placebo. A systematic review was carried out from inception to June 2023, using the EMBASE, Medline, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library of Registered Trials databases. Eligible studies included placebo-controlled randomized trials that investigated the incidence of infection in patients with a dermatologic indication...

BACKGROUND: The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) was introduced in Malawi in 2011 with an expected impact of reducing pneumococcal pneumonia in children. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage of pneumococcus by serotype in children hospitalized with primary end-point pneumonia (PEP) between 2013 and 19 after the introduction of PCV-13. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of children aged under-5-years hospitalized with acute respiratory illness (ARI) in Malawi...

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits distinct molecular and immune characteristics. These traits are influenced by multiple factors, including the gut microbiome, which interacts with the liver through the "gut-liver axis". This bidirectional relationship between the gut and its microbiota and the liver plays a key role in driving various liver diseases, with microbial metabolites and immune responses being central to these processes...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: To comprehensively analyze the measures adopted, we constructed a dataset based on the WHO's Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) database, which covered 252 countries, territories, or other areas (CTAs), including all 194 WHO Member States, from December 31, 2019, to December 31, 2020. We examined the adoption of measures by type, over time, and by the implementing and targeted CTA, including their levels of income...

The optimal dosing strategy of antimicrobial agents in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is unknown. We conducted comprehensive review of existing literature on effect of ECMO on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials, including antibacterials, antifungals, and antivirals that are commonly used in critically ill patients. We aim to provide practical guidance to clinicians on empiric dosing strategy for these patients. Finally, we discuss importance of therapeutic drug monitoring, limitations of current literature, and future research directions...

Although vaccination is considered the most effective weapon against influenza, coverage rates, national vaccination policies, and funding vary largely around the globe. Despite their huge potential for achieving herd immunity, child-focused national vaccination strategies that favor pain-free nasal vaccines are uncommon. CENTRAL, Embase, and MEDLINE were last searched on November 13, 2023. Active-controlled randomized controlled trials comparing the live-attenuated intranasal vaccine with the inactivated intramuscular influenza vaccine in children were included...

Peroxisomes are dynamic organelles involved in various cellular processes, including lipid metabolism, redox homeostasis, and intracellular metabolite transfer. Accumulating evidence suggests that peroxisomal homeostasis plays a crucial role in human health and disease, particularly in metabolic disorders and ferroptosis. The abundance and function of peroxisomes are regulated by a complex interplay between biogenesis and degradation pathways, involving peroxins, membrane proteins, and pexophagy. Peroxisome-dependent lipid metabolism, especially the synthesis of ether-linked phospholipids, has been implicated in modulating cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of iron-dependent cell death...

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are common central nervous system tumors, predominantly intracranial, they rarely develop extracranially. Moreover, benign meningiomas seldom metastasize. CASE PRESENTATION: This article presents a case report of a 55-year-old Chinese male patient with a primary World Health Organization grade 1 meningioma originating from the petrous apex of the temporal bone, accompanied by pulmonary metastasis. Following two incomplete resections of the primary tumor, the patient underwent radiotherapy and has since maintained a stable condition...

BACKGROUND: Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology in post stroke recovery. However, its precise role in stroke rehabilitation is not well defined. The aim of this paper is to conduct an overview of systematic reviews on the role of VR in stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: A meta-review with results from a search of 7 databases from inception till 5th December 2022 with subsequent quality appraisal was conducted. The primary outcome was to produce a narrative review on the efficacy of VR versus usual or other care in stroke recovery...

BACKGROUND: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the safety and efficacy of pericapsular nerve group block (PENGB) with other regional analgesia techniques in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for relevant research from inception to May, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PENGB with other regional analgesia techniques in patients undergoing THA were included...

BACKGROUND: The impact of rapid urbanization taking place across the world is posing variegated challenges. Especially in terms of communicable disease, the risk is more concentrated in urban poor areas where basic amenities are inadequate. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effective community-based interventions (CBIs) aimed at preventing and controlling infectious diseases among the urban poor in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines...

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can impact patients' quality of life. While its exact etiology remains unclear, it is associated with an increased risk of malignant transformation. Currently, the diagnosis of OLP relies on clinical examination and histopathological analysis, which can be invasive. Therefore, there is an urgent need for non-invasive and accurate diagnostic biomarkers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the potential of salivary microRNAs as promising candidates for OLP diagnosis...

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), also referred to as inborn errors of immunity, constitute a group of genetic conditions that affect the immune system. The current standard of care for patients with PIDs is lifelong immunoglobulin replacement therapy, delivered by intravenous (IVIG) or subcutaneous (SCIG) infusion. Immune globulin subcutaneous (human) 20% solution stabilized with glycine (Ig20Gly) is indicated as a replacement therapy for PIDs in adults and children of any age in Europe and in patients aged 2 years and above in the USA...

Parasites have attained a life-long stigma of being detrimental organisms with deleterious outcomes. Yet, recently, a creditable twist was verified that can dramatically change our perception of those parasites from being a source of misery to millions of people to a useful anti-cancerous tool. Various parasites have shown promise to combat cancer in different experimental models, including colorectal, lung, and breast cancers, among others. Helminths and protozoan parasites, as well as their derivatives such as Echinococcus granulosus protein KI-1, Toxoplasma gondii GRA15II, and Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin, have demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis...

BACKGROUND: Osseointegrated dental implants are widely established as a first-choice treatment for the replacement of missing teeth. Clinical outcomes are however often compromised by short or longer-term biological complications and pathologies. Nanoparticle-coated materials represent a very active research area with the potential to enhance clinical outcomes and reduce complications of implant therapy. This scoping review aimed to summarize current research on various types of nanoparticles (NPs) used as surface modifiers of dental implants and their potential to promote biological and clinical outcomes...

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide, and its evolving serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns are of global health concern. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of S. pneumoniae after the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13-valent (PCV13) as a self-funded vaccine in Chinese pediatric populations. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies published between 2017 and 2024 that focused on S...

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) technology has emerged as a revolutionary therapeutic technology in dermatology, recognized for its safety, effectiveness, and minimal side effects. CAP demonstrates substantial antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, promotes tissue proliferation and wound healing, and inhibits the growth and migration of tumor cells. This paper explores the versatile applications of CAP in dermatology, skin health, and skincare. It provides an in-depth analysis of plasma technology, medical plasma applications, and CAP...

INTRODUCTION: Cataract is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness, mainly affecting older adults in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to map evidence on the prevalence, contextual factors, and management strategies for cataracts among older adults in SSA. METHOD: Four central databases (PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar) were searched, yielding 383 records. Additional searches produced eight records. After screening and applying inclusion criteria, 26 full-text articles were eligible for further review...

Retinal neurovascular unit (NVU) is a multi-cellular structure that consists of the functional coupling between neural tissue and vascular system. Disrupted NVU will result in the occurrence of retinal and choroidal vascular diseases, which are characterized by the development of neovascularization, increased vascular permeability, and inflammation. This pathological entity mainly includes neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neovascular-AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)...

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric fistula is a birth injury that causes the vagina to open abnormally. As a result, women may experience urinary leakage, which can lead to isolation, depression, and a lower quality of life. Due to the scarcity of evidence regarding the average recovery time for obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, Therefore, this study aimed to assess the recovery time for women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. METHODS: Between September and 8 November 2023, published studies were searched using online databases including PubMed, Hinari, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar...