Tinea Imbricata: An Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander K.C. Leung ◽  
Kin F. Leong ◽  
Joseph M. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Observational Studies ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pubmed Search ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Clinical Queries ◽  
Key Terms

Background: Tinea imbricata is a chronic superficial mycosis caused mainly by Trichophyton concentricum. The condition mainly affects individuals living in primitive and isolated environment in developing countries and is rarely seen in developed countries. Physicians in nonendemic areas might not be aware of this fungal infection. Objective: To familiarize physicians with the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of tinea imbricata. Methods: A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key terms "Tinea imbricata" and "Trichophyton concentricum". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, reviews, and case reports. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article.A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key terms "Tinea imbricata" and "Trichophyton concentricum". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, reviews, and case reports. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article. Results: The typical initial lesions of tinea imbricata consist of multiple, brownish red, scaly, pruritic papules. The papules then spread centrifugally to form annular and/or concentric rings that can extend to form serpinginous or polycyclic plaques with or without erythema. With time, multiple overlapping lesions develop, and the plaques become lamellar with abundant thick scales adhering to the interior of the lesion, giving rise to the appearance of overlapping roof tiles, lace, or fish scales. Lamellar detachment of the scales is common. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the characteristic skin lesions. If necessary, the diagnosis can be confirmed by potassium hydroxide wet-mount examination of skin scrapings of the active border of the lesion which typically shows short septate hyphae, numerous chlamydoconidia, and no arthroconidia. Currently, oral terbinafine is the drug of choice for the treatment of tinea imbricata. Combined therapy of an oral antifungal agent with a topical antifungal and keratolytic agent may increase the cure rate. Conclusion: In most cases, a spot diagnosis of tinea imbricata can be made based on the characteristic skin lesions consisting of scaly, concentric annular rings and overlapping plaques that are pruritic. Due to popularity of international travel, physicians involved in patient care should be aware of this fungal infection previously restricted to limited geographical areas.

scholarly journals Childhood Solitary Cutaneous Mastocytoma: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander K. C. Leung ◽  
Joseph M. Lam ◽  
Kin Fon Leong
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Systemic Involvement ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pubmed Search ◽  
Peau D’Orange ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Clinical Queries ◽  
Lesion Morphology

Background: The diagnosis of solitary cutaneous mastocytoma is mainly clinical, based on lesion morphology, the presence of a positive Darier sign, and the absence of systemic involvement. Knowledge of this condition is important so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. Objective: To familiarize physicians with the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, evaluation, and management of a solitary cutaneous mastocytoma. Methods: A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key term "solitary cutaneous mastocytoma". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. Only papers published in English language were included. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article. Results: Typically, a solitary cutaneous mastocytoma presents as an indurated, erythematous, yellow- brown or reddish-brown macule, papule, plaque or nodule, usually measuring up to 5 cm in diameter. The lesion often has a peau d'orange appearance and a leathery or rubbery consistency. A solitary cutaneous mastocytoma may urticate spontaneously or when stroked or rubbed (Darier sign). Organomegaly and lymphadenopathy are characteristically absent. The majority of patients with skin lesions that erupt within the first two years of life have spontaneous resolution of the lesions before puberty. Treatment is mainly symptomatic. Reassurance and avoidance of triggering factors suffice in most cases. Conclusion: The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the morphology of the lesion, the presence of a positive Darier sign, and the absence of systemic involvement. A skin biopsy is usually not necessary unless the diagnosis is in doubt.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer: Contemporary Meta-Analyses

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiun-Ruey Hu ◽  
Meredith S. Duncan ◽  
Alicia K. Morgans ◽  
Jonathan D. Brown ◽  
Wouter C. Meijers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Androgen Deprivation ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cardiac Events ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses

Androgen deprivation therapy is a cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment. Pharmacological androgen deprivation includes gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonism and antagonism, androgen receptor inhibition, and CYP17 (cytochrome P450 17A1) inhibition. Studies in the past decade have raised concerns about the potential for androgen deprivation therapy to increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality, possibly by exacerbating cardiovascular risk factors. In this review, we summarize existing data on the cardiovascular effects of androgen deprivation therapy. Among the therapies, abiraterone stands out for increasing risk of cardiac events in meta-analyses of both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. We find a divergence between observational studies, which show consistent positive associations between androgen deprivation therapy use and cardiovascular disease, and randomized controlled trials, which do not show these associations reproducibly.

Dietary saturated fat and heart disease: a narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery L Heileson
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract The American Heart Association (AHA) recently published a meta-analysis that confirmed their 60-year-old recommendation to limit saturated fat (SFA, saturated fatty acid) and replace it with polyunsaturated fat to reduce the risk of heart disease based on the strength of 4 Core Trials. To assess the evidence for this recommendation, meta-analyses on the effect of SFA consumption on heart disease outcomes were reviewed. Nineteen meta-analyses addressing this topic were identified: 9 observational studies and 10 randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses of observational studies found no association between SFA intake and heart disease, while meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials were inconsistent but tended to show a lack of an association. The inconsistency seems to have been mediated by the differing clinical trials included. For example, the AHA meta-analysis only included 4 trials (the Core Trials), and those trials contained design and methodological flaws and did not meet all the predefined inclusion criteria. The AHA stance regarding the strength of the evidence for the recommendation to limit SFAs for heart disease prevention may be overstated and in need of reevaluation.

A scoping review of the evidence for efficacy of acupuncture in companion animals

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley J. Rose ◽  
Jan M. Sargeant ◽  
W. J. Brad Hanna ◽  
David Kelton ◽  
Dianna M. Wolfe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Experimental Trials

AbstractAcupuncture has become increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. Within the scientific literature there is debate regarding its efficacy. Due to the complex nature of acupuncture, a scoping review was undertaken to identify and categorize the evidence related to acupuncture in companion animals (dogs, cats, and horses). Our search identified 843 relevant citations. Narrative reviews represented the largest proportion of studies (43%). We identified 179 experimental studies and 175 case reports/case series that examined the efficacy of acupuncture. Dogs were the most common subjects in the experimental trials. The most common indication for use was musculoskeletal conditions, and the most commonly evaluated outcome categories among experimental trials were pain and cardiovascular parameters. The limited number of controlled trials and the breadth of indications for use, outcome categories, and types of acupuncture evaluated present challenges for future systematic reviews or meta-analyses. There is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials addressing the most common clinical uses of acupuncture, and using consistent and clinically relevant outcomes, to inform conclusions regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in companion animals.

scholarly journals Treatment of Tinnitus in Children—A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max J. Dullaart ◽  
Marijn Kip ◽  
Adriana L. Smit ◽  
Inge Stegeman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Subjective Tinnitus ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objectives: To systematically review studies on the effect of treatment of subjective tinnitus in children.Data Sources: We searched for studies in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, after which additional studies were hand searched using Scopus databases. The methods are described in the study protocol, which has been registered in the PROSPERO register. PRISMA guidelines were followed in the reporting of this study.Eligibility Criteria: We considered for inclusion randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, case reports, and case series, with tinnitus as primary outcome in children (0–18 years old) with acute or chronic subjective tinnitus. We excluded studies in which both children and adults participated but outcomes were not specifically reported for children, as well as animal studies, studies with a non-original study design and studies about children with pulsatile or objective tinnitus.Data Selection: Two reviewers independently assessed studies for eligibility and quality, collected and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed in case of homogeneous outcomes.Results: The search yielded a total of 4,447 studies. Of these, 147 eligible studies were selected. One case report and five observational studies met the eligibility criteria. Three studies applied counseling and (simplified-)TRT and reported improvement in tinnitus outcome in 68 out of 82 children after 3–6 months of treatment. Two studies used pharmacological treatments and reported improvement in 74 out of 86 patients after 10 days to 3 months of treatment. One study reported the outcome of biofeedback therapy, describing an improvement in tinnitus loudness and annoyance after 2 months of treatment.Conclusion: Due to the high risk of bias of the included studies, we cannot determine the effectiveness of the treatment of subjective tinnitus in children. Also, owing to brief follow-up periods, it is not possible to draw conclusions regarding long-term effects. Randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up periods are necessary to provide substantial evidence of the effects of therapies for children affected by tinnitus. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier [CRD42020178134].

scholarly journals Updating Perspectives on Meta-Analyses in the Field of Radiation Oncology

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
In-Soo Shin ◽  
Chai Hong Rim
Keyword(s):  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Radiation Oncology ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Clinical Evaluations ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses

Meta-analyses have been conventionally performed to extract the firmest conclusions from randomized controlled trials while minimizing the risk of bias. However, the field of oncology does not always allow for collecting the best evidence. Radiation oncology is a discipline where intractable or rare diseases are commonly encountered; hence, more practical data suitable for detailed clinical evaluations are needed. This review discusses new viewpoints regarding meta-analyses by pointing out heterogeneities among clinical studies and issues related to analyzing observational studies, thus clarifying the practical utility of meta-analyses in radiation oncology. Limitations of previous systematic reviews or meta-analyses are also assessed to suggest future directions.

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