scholarly journals The Role of Chemotherapy in Management of Inoperable, Metastatic and/or Recurrent Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy—Own Experience and Systematic Review

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3872
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Styczewska ◽  
Małgorzata A. Krawczyk ◽  
Ines B. Brecht ◽  
Konrad Haug ◽  
Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska ◽  
...  

Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI) is a very rare pediatric neoplasm of neural crest origin. In most cases, it develops in infants as a localized tumor of the maxilla, and surgery is usually curative. In less than 10% of patients with inoperable, metastatic or persistently recurring MNTI, chemotherapy (CHT) may be considered; however, its role is still unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of CHT in children with large, inoperable, metastatic and/or recurrent MNTI. Four such infants, treated with CHT in Polish and German centers of pediatric oncology, were presented. Additionally, a systematic literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed, yielding 38 similar cases within the last 42 years. Neoadjuvant CHT, based mainly on the protocols for neuroblastoma, was often effective, allowing for complete delayed surgery in most cases. However, the role of adjuvant CHT in preventing recurrences after incomplete resection of MNTI remains unclear. Disseminated inoperable MNTI was almost universally associated with poor response to CHT and unfavorable outcome. Further investigations to elaborate standards of management in patients with inoperable, metastatic or persistently recurring MNTIs are necessary to improve outcomes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-18
Author(s):  
G. A. Ignatenko ◽  
I. G. Nemsadze ◽  
E. D. Mirovich ◽  
A. V. Churilov ◽  
E. A. Maylyan ◽  
...  

About 20 years ago osteoimmunology was identified as new field of scientific knowledge. It studies patterns of immune and bone system interactions in normal and pathological conditions. The osteoimmunology achievements have fundamentally changed our ideas about the pathogenesis of human skeleton diseases, including osteoporosis. This review presents cytokines key role in physiological and pathological bone remodeling. The issues of interaction between cytokines, osteoblasts and osteoclasts are described in detail. The crucial role of proinflammatory cytokines increased production by immunocompetent cells in the postmenopausal osteoporosis development has been characterized. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, eLIBRARY.RU databases were used for systematic literature search.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Zhang ◽  
Xue Yang ◽  
Hongmei Jiao ◽  
Xinmin Liu

Patients with COVID-19 frequently manifest coagulation abnormalities and thrombotic events. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to explore the role of coagulopathy on the severity differences in patients with COVID-19. We conducted systematic literature search via Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, WanFang Database, CNKI, and medRxiv from December 1, 2019 to May 1, 2020, to identify all original studies that reports on coagulation parameters (D-dimer, PLT, PT, APTT, and FIB) during COVID-19 infection. Thereafter, we compared the coagulation parameters between less severe and more severe cases. All Statistical analyses were performed via Stata14.0 software. A total of 3,952 confirmed COVID-19 infected patients were included from 25 studies. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection exhibited significantly higher levels of D-dimer, PT, and FIB (SMD 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.97, I2 56.9%; SMD 0.39, 95% CI: 0.14-0.64, I2 77.9%; SMD 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17-0.53, I2 42.4% respectively). However, difference in PLT and APTT levels between less severe and more severe patients was not statistically significant (SMD-0.26, 95% CI: -0.56-0.05, I2 82.2%; SMD-0.14,95% CI: -0.45-0.18, I2 75.5% respectively) This meta-analysis revealed coagulopathy is associated with the severity of COVID-19. Notably, D-dimer, PT, and FIB are the dominant parameters that should be considered in evaluating coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Mohanambal Moorthy ◽  
Usha Sundralingam ◽  
Uma D. Palanisamy

Obesity is a disease growing at an alarming rate and numerous preclinical studies have proven the role of polyphenols in managing this disease. This systematic review explores the prebiotic effect of polyphenols in the management of obesity among animals fed on a high-fat diet. A literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase databases following the PRISMA guidelines. Forty-four studies reported a significant reduction in obesity-related parameters. Most notably, 83% of the studies showed a decrease in either body weight/visceral adiposity/plasma triacylglyceride. Furthermore, 42 studies reported a significant improvement in gut microbiota (GM), significantly affecting the genera Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Blautia, Roseburia, Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, Alistipes, and Desulfovibrio. Polyphenols’ anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycaemic, and anti-inflammatory properties were associated with their ability to modulate GM. This review supports the notion of polyphenols as effective prebiotics in ameliorating HFD-induced metabolic derangements in animal models.


Author(s):  
Ahmed S. Ali ◽  
Ekram A. Saied ◽  
Sharifa M. Theeban ◽  
Mazen M. Humayran ◽  
Assmaa Ahmed Shaker ◽  
...  

Background: Many publications discussed the potential role of medicinal plants in the management of COVID-19. However, clinical studies of the efficacy and safety of specified phytochemical(s) are limited. Objectives: To explore the pharmacological profile of specified compounds against COVID-19 Method: Systematic literature search of academic databases to explore specified phytochemicals for the management of COVID-19 using appropriate search terms. Rayyan software was used to organize 786 citations of which. 236 articles were included in this review. Results: Initially 70 compounds were identified to have a potential role in the management of COVID-19. In this review, 18 compounds were selected for further search Conclusion: In vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2activity has been demonstrated for a variety of natural compounds. However, preclinical research for most phytochemicals is scarce, and only a few compounds have been evaluated in clinical trials against COVID-19. A comprehensive pharmacological profile of these phytochemicals is urgently needed.


Author(s):  
Álvaro Sicilia ◽  
Adrian Paterna ◽  
Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths

AbstractBackground and aims: The aim of the present systematic review was to identify psychometric tools developed to assess problematic exercise in order to identify and compare their theoretical conceptualisations on which they are based. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, Scielo, PsychINFO, PsycTEST and SCOPUS from their inception to January 2020. Results: Seventeen assessment instruments met the eligibility criteria to be included in the present review. The instruments were classified according to their conceptualisation into five groups: (i) problematic exercise as an end of an exercise continuum, (ii) problematic exercise as a means of regulating body size and weight, (iii) problematic exercise as dependence, (iv) problematic exercise as a behavioural addiction and (v) no clear conceptualisation. Discussion: The results suggest that the conceptualisations of the assessment instruments have resulted in a strong dichotomy in relation to the primary or secondary character of the problematic exercise that might be limiting the capacity of the instruments to adequately capture the multidimensionality of this construct. Conclusions: Given the interest in understanding the complexity surrounding the problematic exercise, future research should develop more comprehensive definitions of this construct. This would allow a greater conceptual consensus to be reached that would allow progress to be made in the study of the problematic exercise.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053324
Author(s):  
Mercè Salvador Robert ◽  
Alejandro Porras-Segovia ◽  
Inmaculada Peñuelas-Calvo ◽  
Enrique Baca-Garcia

IntroductionPeople with schizophrenia die about 15–20 years earlier than the general population. A constellation of factors contributes to this gap in life expectancy: side effects of psychotropic drugs, unhealthy lifestyles (inactivity, unhealthy diet) and inequality in the provision of healthcare services. This is a topic of main importance, which requires constant update and synthesis of the literature. The aim of this review is to explore the evidence of physical comorbidity and use of healthcare services in people with schizophrenia.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic literature search in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library, Proquest Health Research Premium Collection, in order to identify studies that answer to our research question: Are patients with schizophrenia different from the non-psychiatric population in terms of physical comorbidity and use of healthcare services? Two authors will independently review the studies and extract the data.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not include human or animal subjects. Thus, ethics considerations are not applicable. Dissemination plans include publications in peer-reviewed journals and discussion of results in psychiatric congresses.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020139972.


Author(s):  
Marco Guidi ◽  
Riccardo Luchetti ◽  
Inga Besmens ◽  
Esin Rothenfluh ◽  
Maurizio Calcagni

Abstract Background Wrist arthrolysis is a viable option in wrist stiffness and can be performed via open or arthroscopic techniques. Purpose The aim of the study is to describe and evaluate the available techniques of open and arthroscopic arthrolysis of the radiocarpal joint and the distal radio ulnar joint (DRUJ) in posttraumatic wrist stiffness. Methods A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed to identify studies reporting on open and arthroscopic wrist arthrolysis. Key words included “open wrist arthrolysis,” “arthroscopic wrist arthrolysis,” “post-traumatic wrist stiffness,” and “DRUJ arthrolysis.” Data were extracted independently by a pair of reviewers. Results Overall, 637 studies were identified; 13 additional articles were found through previous publications (total 650 articles). A total of 612 records resulted after duplicates was removed. Fourteen studies were selected and only eight respected the inclusions criteria. One study focused on volar open arthrolysis and four studies on arthroscopic arthrolysis of the radiocarpal joint; two studies reported on open arthrolysis and two studies on arthroscopic DRUJ arthrolysis. Range of motion following open and arthroscopic wrist arthrolysis improved in all studies. Conclusion Both arthroscopic and open arthrolysis can lead to similar and satisfactory results in radiocarpal joint and DRUJ stiffness.. Level of Evidence This is a level 3a study.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenny Yat Hong Kwan ◽  
J Naresh-Babu ◽  
Wilco Jacobs ◽  
Marinus de Kleuver ◽  
David W Polly ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Existing adult spinal deformity (ASD) classification systems are based on radiological parameters but management of ASD patients requires a holistic approach. A comprehensive clinically oriented patient profile and classification of ASD that can guide decision-making and correlate with patient outcomes is lacking. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic review to determine the purpose, characteristic, and methodological quality of classification systems currently used in ASD. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science for literature published between January 2000 and October 2018. From the included studies, list of classification systems, their methodological measurement properties, and correlation with treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Out of 4470 screened references, 163 were included, and 54 different classification systems for ASD were identified. The most commonly used was the Scoliosis Research Society-Schwab classification system. A total of 35 classifications were based on radiological parameters, and no correlation was found between any classification system levels with patient-related outcomes. Limited evidence of limited quality was available on methodological quality of the classification systems. For studies that reported the data, intraobserver and interobserver reliability were good (kappa = 0.8). CONCLUSION This systematic literature search revealed that current classification systems in clinical use neither include a comprehensive set of dimensions relevant to decision-making nor did they correlate with outcomes. A classification system comprising a core set of patient-related, radiological, and etiological characteristics relevant to the management of ASD is needed.


Author(s):  
Xiaorong Mao ◽  
Olivia WM Fung ◽  
Xiuying Hu ◽  
Alice Yuen Loke

Abstract Disasters can cause long-lasting damage to survivors and rescue workers. Some rescue workers suffer negative physical and psychological consequences, while others do not. Thus, it is of value to fully understand the characteristics of rescuers who have not been affected by rescue activities. Resilience refers to the ability or capacity to cope with adversity. The aim of this review is to explore and identify the characteristics of resilience among rescue workers. A systematic literature search was conducted of seven electronic databases from inception to May 2019, using keywords and medical subject heading terms related to the resilience of rescuers. Hand searches and searches of leading authors were also performed. A total of 31 articles were eligible for review. Six domains were identified to characterize the resilience of rescuers namely, demographic and physical characteristics, personality traits, coping strategies, perceived resources, being equipped with special skills for disaster rescue, and having less adverse consequences from exposure to disaster. Researchers and disaster managers can take note of these characteristics to comprehensively understand the ‘positive concept’ of resilience. This enhanced understanding of ‘positive resilience’ can in turn be used to develop a framework to assess and establish interventions, and consequently to improve the psychological wellbeing of rescuers after disaster rescue efforts.


Author(s):  
Natalia P. Montoya ◽  
Lia C. O. B. Glaz ◽  
Lucas A. Pereira ◽  
Irineu Loturco

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the prevalence of burnout-related symptoms in Brazilian schoolteachers who work in public schools. The literature search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were considered for inclusion. A total of 2106 records were identified through database searching and 7 additional studies were identified through other sources. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 studies were included in the systematic review. Burnout syndrome prevalence was assessed through seven distinct questionnaires. Overall, the majority of the studies presented high methodological quality. Brazilian schoolteachers exhibited high levels of emotional exhaustion (21–69%), high or moderate degrees of depersonalization (8–32%), and high levels of personal realization and enthusiasm toward the job (30–90%). From these data, it is possible to infer that Brazilian schoolteachers are, in general, affected by burnout syndrome. However, and, surprisingly, they seem to be motivated and idealistic, as demonstrated by their high levels of personal realization and enthusiasm toward the job (30–90%). This likely favors the implementation of programs designed to avoid or reduce burnout, deal with stress, and enhance teaching quality.


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