scholarly journals Deteriorating Patients and Risk Assessment among Nurses and Junior Doctors: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludin SM ◽  
Ruslan R ◽  
Mat Nor MB
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
General Ward ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Professional Journals ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Extensive Literature Search

The presence of nurses and junior doctors in the ward environment are crucial, especially in detecting deteriorating patients. However, there is consistent evidence that warning signs may not always be identified or acted upon. This paper aimed to analyse the incidence of deteriorating patients, and the concept of risk assessment of these patients by nurses and junior doctors in general ward, through a review on relevant literature. An extensive literature search was conducted through online research databases, i.e. CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid), Science Direct and ProQuest. Professional journals were hand searched for relevant literature based on reference lists and citations made in key publications, and attempts were also made to obtain any relevant grey literature (unpublished materials). A total of eleven papers which focused on patient’s assessment, response to deteriorating patients and knowledge in medication, and a guideline were reviewed. Most of the studies were carried out in the United Kingdom (n=4), followed by Australia (n=2), Sweden (n=2), the Netherlands (n=1) and Taiwan (n=1). Meanwhile, among these studies, the chosen research designs include, qualitative (n=6), quantitative (n=3) and systematic review (n=1). This review concluded that nurses and junior doctors in general ward have a lack of knowledge in risk assessment of deteriorating patients.

scholarly journals A review on the animal xenodiversity in Sicilian inland waters (Italy)

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Marrone ◽  
Luigi Naselli-Flores
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Inland Waters ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Native Structure ◽  
African Clawed Frog ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Non Indigenous Species ◽  
Clawed Frog

This paper reviews the available knowledge about faunal xenodiversity in Sicilian inland waters (Italy). The aim is to provide an updated checklist and bibliography of those non-indigenous species (NIS) which occur in the island, and to identify possible threats to its native biological diversity. Data were collected through an extensive literature search which encompassed also local journals, books, congress abstracts, and other grey literature. All the collected data were critically revised and, when possible, verified by consulting available collections or through dedicated sampling surveys. Only those data contained in reports indicating precise occurrence localities, which were confirmed by our own observations and\or by at least two independent sources including at least a peer-reviewed publication, were considered as certain. Data in literature that did not meet these criteria were considered doubtful and reported separately as unverified. The information provided by websites has been excluded as it often contains unfounded and\or erroneous data. The fauna of Sicilian inland waters host at present 31 confirmed NIS. In addition, the presence of further 11 taxa is dubious. Among the v<em>erified data</em>, invertebrate and vertebrate taxa are nearly equally represented, with 15 and 16 taxa, respectively. With 16 species, the phylum Chordata is by far the most represented, followed by Mollusca (8 species) and Arthropoda (6 species). Most of these species were detected in the last 30 years due to the lack of previous regular studies on Sicilian freshwaters. With few exceptions (<em>e.g</em>., the recent introduction of <em>Xenopus laevis</em>, the African clawed frog), NIS’ effects on native biota have not extensively studied in the island yet. Although the top-down effects caused by introduced vertebrate taxa are known to deeply modify the native structure of the biota, little information is available on the impacts caused by invertebrate taxa, especially the microscopic ones. The presence in Sicily of 11 nonnative species of bony fish is probably the most impacting threat to autochthonous fauna through predation, competition and hybridisation. The results shown in the paper highlight the importance and the urgency of more exhaustive investigations on NIS in Sicilian freshwaters with special regard to less charismatic taxa whose effects on the native biota have never been evaluated yet.

Nanocarriers For Vaginal Drug Delivery

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeenat Iqbal ◽  
Fahima Dilnawaz
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Conventional Treatment ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Treatment Approaches ◽  
Vaginal Drug Delivery ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Cyclic Changes ◽  
Delivery Approach

Background:Vaginal drug delivery approach represents one of the imperative strategies for local and systemic delivery of drugs. The peculiar dense vascular networks, mucus permeability, and range of physiological characteristics of the vaginal cavity have been exploited for therapeutic benefit. Furthermore, the vaginal drug delivery has been curtailed due to the influence of different physiological factors like acidic pH, constant cervical secretion, microflora, cyclic changes during periods along with turnover of mucus of varying thickness.Objective:This review highlights advancement of nanomedicine and its prospective progress towards the clinic.Methods:Relevant literature reports and patents related to topics are retrieved and used. Result: The extensive literature search and patent revealed that nanocarriers are efficacious over conventional treatment approaches.Results:The extensive literature search and patent revealed that nanocarriers are efficacious over conventional treatment approaches.Conclusion:Recently, nanotechnology based drug delivery approach has promised better therapeutic outcomes by providing enhanced permeation and sustained drug release activity. Different nanoplatforms based on drugs, peptides, proteins, antigens, hormones, nucleic material, and microbicides are gaining momentum for vaginal therapeutics.

Methotrexate related cutaneous adverse drug reactions: a systematic literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Zuber ◽  
Harikrishna ◽  
Vidhyashree ◽  
Manik Chhabra ◽  
Rajesh Venkataraman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Search ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Topical Steroids ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Cutaneous Manifestations ◽  
Cutaneous Drug Reactions ◽  
Steven Johnson Syndrome

Abstract Objectives Recently, there is an increased number of reports being published on Methotrexate (MTX) related cutaneous manifestations. We aimed to identify and critically appraise descriptive studies describing the MTX related skin manifestations, treatment approach, and their outcomes. Methodology An extensive literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases from inception to April 2021 without any restrictions along with the bibliographic search of included studies, grey literature search, and a snowball search was performed in Google and Google Scholar to identify the relevant literature. Descriptive studies reporting MTX related cutaneous manifestations were considered for the review. The study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers and any disagreements were settled by consensus with the third reviewer. Results 31 out of 8,365 descriptive studies including 38 patients (22 females and 16 males) aged between 12 and 78 years prescribed for the management of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis were included in this review. Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), papular eruption, vasculitis, erosions of psoriasis, ulcerated psoriatic plaques, local reactions, keratinocyte dystrophy, erythema multiforme, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, Steven Johnson syndrome and photosensitive dermatitis were the majority of MTX induced cutaneous reactions. Immediate withdrawal of MTX, providing appropriate care with anti-inflammatory, topical steroids, and supplementation with folic acid were reported to be effective for the management of the MTX related cutaneous manifestations. Conclusions Clinicians and healthcare professionals should be aware of possible acute cutaneous drug reactions induced by MTX to avoid further consequences and fatal conditions. Immediate withdrawal of MTX and supportive care were reported as an efficacious therapeutic management of acute cutaneous drug reactions. PROSPERO Registration number CRD42020220038.

scholarly journals Mapping evidence on the implementation of the WHO’s collaborative framework for the management of tuberculosis and diabetes: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033341
Author(s):  
Rita Quist-Therson ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel ◽  
Khumbulani Hlongwana
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Unpublished Studies ◽  
The Press ◽  
Complete Health ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Narrative Report

IntroductionThe emergence of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) coepidemic threatens the gains made in fighting the prevalence of these two diseases. As a result, in 2011, WHO and the International Union Against Lung Disease launched a framework to address the growing TB-DM coepidemic across the world. The aim of the proposed review study is mapping evidence on the implementation of the WHO collaborative framework for the management of TB-DM using a scoping review.Methodology and analysisThis study will map literature on the global implementation of the WHO collaborative framework for the management of TB-DM, using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework. An extensive literature search for the peer-reviewed articles, grey literature, unpublished studies, thesis, studies in the press and a list of references from the selected studies will be conducted to find eligible studies. PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, the EBSCOhost platform (Academic search complete, health source: nursing/academic edition, CINAHL with full text) and the WHO library will be used to source literature. The researcher will perform title screening of articles using keywords in the databases, and two independent reviewers will then screen abstracts and full articles. The screening will be guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool V.2018 will be used to examine the quality of studies to be included. The findings will be analysed using the thematic content analysis approach and the results presented in the form of a narrative report.Ethics and disseminationThe study did not require ethics approval because it is a scoping review protocol. Findings from this study will be disseminated by print and electronic mediums.

Anticancer Hybrid Combinations: Mechanisms of Action, Implications and Future Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (36) ◽  
pp. 4312-4333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva M. Domínguez-Martín ◽  
Ana M. Díaz-Lanza ◽  
Célia M. C. Faustino
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agent ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies ◽  
Phytochemical Components ◽  
Combination Regimens

The exponential growth of cancer cases worldwide together with recent advances concerning the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease at the molecular level led to a paradigm shift in chemotherapy, from monotherapy to targeted drug combination regimens. However, adverse effects and the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) limit the effectiveness of these therapies. In this context, hybrid combinations mixing anticancer drugs and bioactive phytochemical components from medicinal plants, or even plant extracts, that can act synergistically on multiple targets and signaling pathways represent a promising approach with the potential to expand the current therapeutic arsenal. This review aims to provide a synopsis on anticancer hybrid combinations based on their multi-target mechanisms and synergistic effects from an extensive literature search focusing mainly on publications from the last ten years. In most of these combinations, the phytochemical component was shown to enhance the anticancer activity of the chemotherapeutic agent and to sensitize chemoresistant tumors in several types of cancer. Hybrid combinations, due to synergistic interactions, are also associated with less severe adverse events since lower doses can be used to achieve the same therapeutic effect. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed, as well as the development of an adequate regulatory framework, before hybrid combination therapy can be translated into clinical practice.

Recent developments and opportunities in fighting COVID-19

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Rao ◽  
Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules ◽  
Discharged Patients ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Repurposed Drugs ◽  
Health Organization

Background: COVID-19, a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) was first diagnosed in the patients from Wuhan, China in December 2019. Within couple of months of infection, it was declared as pandemic by World health organization. COVID-19 has become the most contagious infection with a serious threat to global health. In this review, we aimed to discuss the pathogenesis, diagnostics, current treatments and potential vaccines for COVID-19. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using keywords “COVID-19”; “Coronavirus”; “SARS-Cov-2”; “SARS” in public domains of Google, Google scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Selected articles were used to construct this review. Results: SARS-Cov-2 uses the Spike (S) protein on its surface to recognize the receptor on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and bind with 10-folds greater affinity than SARS-Cov-1. Molecular assays and immunoassays are the most frequently used tests whereas computed tomography (CT) scans, Artificial intelligence enabled diagnostic tools were also used in patients. In therapeutic treatment, few drugs were repurposed and there are 23 therapeutic molecules including the repurposed drugs are in different stages of clinical trial. Similarly, development of vaccines is also in the pipeline. Few countries have managed well to contain the spread by rapid testing and identifying the clusters. Conclusion: Till now, the acute complications and mortality of COVID-19 has been linked to the pre-existing comorbid conditions or age. Besides the development of therapeutic strategies that includes drugs and vaccine, the long term implication of COVID-19 infection in terms of the disorder/disability in the cured/discharged patients is a new area to investigate.

scholarly journals The Differential Diagnosis of Sterile Pyuria in Pediatric Patients: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2199371
Author(s):  
Donald W. Bendig
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Sterile Pyuria ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Definition Of

Sterile pyuria is a common finding in pediatric patients. Literature describing the diagnoses as well as clinical characteristics of children with sterile pyuria is lacking. This review was performed to establish an evidence-based approach to the differential diagnosis by way of an extensive literature search. The definition of pyuria is inconsistent. The various causes of pediatric sterile pyuria identified were classified as either Infectious or Non-Infectious. Sub-categories of Infectious causes include: Viral Infection, Bacterial Infection, Other Infections (tuberculosis, fungal, parasitic), Sexually Transmitted Infections, Recent Antibiotic Therapy. Non-Infectious causes include: Systemic Disease, Renal Disease, Drug Related, Inflammation adjacent to Genitourinary Tract. Clinicians that encounter pediatric patients with sterile pyuria and persistent symptoms should consider the substantial differential diagnosis described in this study.

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