Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax?-A Systematic Review.

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has emerged as a novel approach in the field of health and wellness. It is believed to have therapeutic antioxidant properties that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the human body. It has also been shown to be beneficial in mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage through its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways. We aim to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water. The review protocol was uploaded on PROSPERO. After the initial search criteria, the articles were reviewed by two blinded investigators, and a total of 25 articles were included in the systematic review. The potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water on various aspects of health, including exercise capacity, physical endurance, liver function, cardiovascular disease, mental health, COVID-19, oxidative stress, and anti-aging research, are a subject of growing interest and ongoing research. Although preliminary results in clinical trials and studies are encouraging, further research with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies is needed to substantiate these findings. Current research needs to fully explain the mechanisms behind the potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water. Continued scientific exploration will provide valuable insights into the potential of hydrogen-rich water as an adjunctive therapeutic approach in the future.

Heartfelt Breakthroughs: Elevating Quality of Life with Cutting-Edge Advances in Heart Failure Treatment.

Heart failure is a cardiovascular condition, leading to fatigue, breathlessness, and fluid retention. It affects around 56 million people globally and is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality. Its prevalence is rising due to aging populations and lifestyle factors. Managing heart failure demands a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing medications, lifestyle modifications, and often medical devices or surgeries. The treatment burden is substantial, impacting patients' daily lives and straining healthcare systems. Improving early detection, novel therapies, and patient education are crucial for alleviating the burden and enhancing the quality of life. There are notable advancements in the field of heart failure treatment and prevention. We will discuss significant pharmacological and device advances related to heart failure, including angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibition, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, cardiac resynchronization therapy, cardiac contractility modulation, mechanical circulatory support devices, and transcatheter valve interventions. We will also review novel therapies on the horizon, emerging technologies like CRISPR-based treatments for genetic anomalies, and the involvement of artificial intelligence in heart failure detection and management.

Artificial intelligence in sleep medicine: Present and future.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted many areas of healthcare. AI in healthcare uses machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing to analyze copious amounts of healthcare data and yield valuable outcomes. In the sleep medicine field, a large amount of physiological data is gathered compared to other branches of medicine. This field is primed for innovations with the help of AI. A good quality of sleep is crucial for optimal health. About one billion people are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea worldwide, but it is difficult to diagnose and treat all the people with limited resources. Sleep apnea is one of the major contributors to poor health. Most of the sleep apnea patients remain undiagnosed. Those diagnosed with sleep apnea have difficulty getting it optimally treated due to several factors, and AI can help in this situation. AI can also help in the diagnosis and management of other sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnia, narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorders, periodic leg movement disorders, etc. In this manuscript, we aim to address three critical issues about the use of AI in sleep medicine: (1) How can AI help in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders? (2) How can AI fill the gap in the care of sleep disorders? and (3) What are the ethical and legal considerations of using AI in sleep medicine?

Evidence-based Practice Interventions for Reducing Postoperative Pulmonary Complications: A Narrative Review.

Background: Specific surgical procedures, such as upper abdominal and thoracic surgery, are connected to an increased predisposition of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). The incidence of PPCs could vary approximately between 20-90% with upper abdominal surgery, which can be minimized by using treatment procedures that increase lung capacity and encourage inspiration. This review aims to examine the effectiveness of already existing evidence-based interventions that promote lung expansion, thereby preventing PPCs. Method: We mainly focused on the existing evidence of preoperative education on the incentive spirometer, early mobilization, directed coughing, deep breathing exercises, chest physiotherapy, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to prevent PPCs. The literature search was limited to experimental, observational studies, systemic reviews, and articles published in the last 15 years, January 2007- Dec. 2022, in PubMed and Google Scholar. Result: This initial search yielded a total of 5301 articles. All articles with titles not related to the topic were eliminated. 1050 records were screened, and the final review was conducted with 22 articles, including 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), four systemic reviews, one retrospective review, three observational studies, and one non-experimental study. Our review reveals mixed evidence for individual interventions, including but not limited to incentive spirometry, inspiratory muscle training, early mobilization, cough, deep breathing, etc. Some studies maintain that intervention is effective; others imply there is no substantial difference in the choice of intervention. Conclusion: The literature review concluded that patients who received multiple interventions showed significant improvement in pulmonary function postoperatively. However, definitive studies need to be conducted to solidify this conclusion.

A study to estimate prevalence and risk factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome in a semi-urban Indian population.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) has been recognised as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. There is still a paucity of Indian studies regarding the prevalence of OSAS. The current single centre prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken to know prevalence estimates for key symptoms and features that can indicate the presence of OSAS in an Indian population. A survey was conducted on subjects with age groups ≥ 25 years at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India from August 2009 to July 2011. Data was recorded during the interview on the basis of Berlin Questionnaire (BQ). Risk factors for OSAS were also evaluated. Risk group categorization for OSAS was done with the help of a questionnaire and overnight polysomnography was performed in each group to measure apnea and hypopnea index (AHI). Out of 1816 subjects, 1512 (response rate 83.3%) finally participated in the survey with mean age 42.6±11.2 years, males 67.9% and females 32.1%. Of them 6.2% were found to be at high-risk OSAS; 12.2% were obese (Body Mass Index ≥30 kg/m2) and 33.5% of the obese population were at high-risk OSAS. Among high-risk patients with OSAS, 62.4% had hypertension. Statistically significant and independent risk factors found for OSAS were obesity, large neck size, alcoholism and use of sedatives/tranquillizers. High-risk category predicted an AHI ≥5 with a sensitivity of 86.3% (95% CI 73.1-93.8), specificity of 93.1% (95% CI 89.1-95.7), positive and negative predictive values of 70.9% (95% CI 57.9-81.4) and 97.2% (95% CI 94.1-98.8) respectively. It can be concluded that BQ questionnaire can still be used as a pre-assessment tool for predicting persons at risk for OSAS in clinical practice. Further studies on estimation of prevalence of OSAS by applying BQ are warranted in near future from other regions of India.