ABSTRACT
Cervical cancer is a major health concern for women, ranking as the fourth most common cancer and a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. To enhance prognostic predictions for locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma, we conducted a study utilizing radiomics features extracted from pretreatment magnetic resonance images. The goal was to predict patient survival and compare the predictive value of these features with clinical traits and the 2018 International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) staging system. In our retrospective cohort study, we included 500 patients with confirmed cervical squamous cell carcinoma ranging from FIGO stages IIB to IVA under the 2018 staging system. All patients underwent pelvic MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging before receiving definitive curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The results showed that the combination model, incorporating radiomics scores and clinical traits, demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to the widely used 2018 FIGO staging system for both progression-free and overall survival. Age was identified as a significant factor influencing survival outcomes. Additionally, primary tumour invasion stage, tumour maximal diameter, and the location of lymph node metastasis were found to be important predictors of progression-free survival, while primary tumour invasion stage and lymph node metastasis position individually affected overall survival. During the follow-up period, a portion of patients experienced disease-related deaths or tumour progression/recurrence in both sets. The radiomics-score significantly enhanced prediction ability, providing valuable insights for guiding personalized therapy approaches and stratifying patients into low-risk and high-risk categories for progression-free and overall survival. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the potential of radiomics features as a valuable addition to existing clinical tools like the FIGO staging system, offering promising advancements in managing locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men worldwide. It affects more than 1.4 million men worldwide and kills up to 37 5000 people. PCa is routinely managed with chemotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy, but the success rate of these treatments is unsatisfactory. Immunotherapy is a novel method of treating different types of cancers, and it utilizes the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Different types of cancer respond differently to immunotherapy, with some showing excellent responses, while others do not show very satisfactory responses. PCa is known to be an immunologically cold tumor, such that conventional immunotherapy does not work as effectively as it works in other cancers. In the past decade, multiple studies and trials have been conducted to test different types of therapies, ranging from immune checkpoint inhibitors to anticancer vaccines to anticancer cytokines. Even after many studies, there is still a drug to be discovered that can completely cure any stage of PCa. Recent immunotherapeutic drug trials have started using immunotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and have shown promising results. In this paper, the authors present a comprehensive overview of the currently used immunotherapeutic drugs as well as emerging immunotherapies, including modalities of combination immunotherapy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review can help readers gain the latest knowledge about emerging trends in the current immunotherapy landscape for the treatment of PCa, as well as a general overview of the already used immunotherapy drugs for PCa.
ABSTRACT
We intended to summarize the most recent research pertaining to the use of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors in pulmonary hypertension in light of recent developments in the knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms and treatments for pulmonary hypertension, with major contributions in the area in the last decade. The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the efficacy of PDE5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension in adults. We followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to carry out this meta-analysis. Online database searching to identify eligible trials was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library by two authors independently. Outcomes assessed in the current meta-analysis included change in the cardiac index from baseline in liters per minute per square meter (L/min/m2), mean peripheral arterial pressure (PAP) in mm Hg, mortality, hospitalization, and six-minute walking distance (6MWD) in meters (m). Overall, 17 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the current meta-analysis. PDE5 inhibitors significantly improve cardiac index (mean difference: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.32, p-value: 0.01), mean PAP (mean difference: -5.61, 95% CI: -7.60, -3.62, p-value: 0.01), and 6MWD (mean difference: 26.26, 95% CI: 16.95, 35.57, p-value: 0.001) as compared to the patients in the control group. No significant difference was found in terms of risk of mortality (risk ratio (RR): 0.51, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.54) and risk of hospitalization (RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.23, 1.55) between the two groups. The current meta-analysis concluded that PDE5 inhibitors improve 6MWD, mean PAP, and cardiac index in patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, no significant difference was reported in terms of mortality and hospitalization between the two groups.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This meta-analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted independently by two authors using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to January 15, 2023. Primary clinical outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis were changes in maximum waking distance (MWD) and pain-free walking distance (PFWD) from baseline. Other outcomes assessed included change in ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) and degree of arterial stenosis. Four RCTs involving a total of 228 patients were included. Change of PFWD and MWD from baseline was significantly higher in patients randomized in the ESWT group as compared to the control group. No significant differences were reported between the two groups in terms of change in ABI from baseline. In conclusion, this meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials found evidence that ESWT is an effective treatment for patients with PAD in terms of improving PFWD and MWD and reducing stenosis. However, there was no significant difference in the improvement of the ankle-brachial index between the study groups.
ABSTRACT
This review article describes the pathophysiology of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The condition is characterized by excessive stimulation of inflammatory cytokines, lymphocytes, and macrophages, leading to hyperinflammatory disorder with immune dysfunction. The main clinical and diagnostic features include fever ≥38.5°C, splenomegaly, hyperferritinemia, cytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, hemophagocytosis on the bone marrow, low or absent of natural killer (NK) cell activity, and elevated soluble CD25. Various immunological and inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of HLH. Moreover, the condition can result in multisystem organ failure, contributing to the high mortality rate in hospital settings. A thorough literature search was conducted by collecting data from multiple articles published on PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar. The article discusses the cellular and molecular pathways that lead to HLH. Due to the high rate of morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis needs to be established. More research pertaining to molecular biology, immunology, and the genetics of HLH is needed to explore the effective management and treatment of this rare disorder.
ABSTRACT
The use of antimalarial drugs for prophylaxis is a widespread practice while traveling to underdeveloped nations, particularly those with a high malaria prevalence. Chloroquine is still one of the most commonly recommended antimalarials, either alone or in combination with others, for prophylaxis. However, its increased use over the past few decades has been associated with many adverse effects, including headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms such as psychosis. Here, we discuss the case of a 30-year-old Asian man who, after starting a 500-milligram (mg) prophylactic dosage of chloroquine per week, developed psychotic symptoms. This case highlights the need to use chloroquine and other antimalarials with care, especially when beginning as a prophylactic measure with the lowest suggested dosage.
ABSTRACT
Wilson's disease (WD) is one of the most prevalent genetic conditions in the world. The average onset age ranges between 5 and 35 years. The prognosis tends to be worse if the diagnosis is delayed. Neurocognitive and psychological disorders are the most common extrahepatic manifestations of WD. Moreover, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is discovered to have a significant correlation with neurodegenerative disorders, particularly WD. Several synucleinopathies, including WD, have an early prodromal stage that manifests as RBD or sleep behavior disorder. We hereby present a case of a 14-year-old patient with borderline ceruloplasmin levels and REM sleep disorder as an early manifestation of WD. RBD may be considered one of the earliest manifestations of such disorders and a vital phase of the disease's onset, as the patient may be more responsive to treatment at this point.
ABSTRACT
Bupropion is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications by physicians all over the world. Because of its favorable sexual profile, it is used as an alternative to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Its significance in smoking cessation is also well recognized. However, it is associated with a few side effects, such as dizziness, anxiety, tremors, nausea, and insomnia. We present the case of a 54-year-old chronic smoker who developed acute facial dystonia involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after being prescribed 300 mg of bupropion. The Naranjo scale was used to assess the probability of bupropion-induced dystonia. Following the diagnosis, the drug was stopped, and the dystonia completely resolved within one week. At her follow-ups, the patient was found to have no recurrence of dystonia.
ABSTRACT
The presentation of vitamin B12 deficiency varies from being asymptomatic to affecting multiple organ systems. In addition, several systemic diseases can be associated with generalized weakness and hyperpigmentation. However, vitamin B12 deficiency rarely presents with hyperpigmentation as an initial symptom. We present a rare case of a 22-year-old college student who presented with hyperpigmentation as the only physical manifestation of early vitamin B12 deficiency. This case underlines the need to rule out vitamin B12 deficiency when clinicians encounter hyperpigmentation as a solo presentation and also emphasizes the significance of early treatment in preventing the irreversible neurological manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency.
ABSTRACT
Metformin remains the oral drug of choice for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is an ideal anti-diabetic drug for maintaining good glycemic control in diabetics. However, the side effect profile of metformin varies from minor or no effects to substantial impact on the GI tract. In addition, metformin is rarely known for its association with nightmares. Here we present the case of a newly diagnosed 40-year-old diabetic who developed recurrent nightmares within a week of starting metformin treatment. The patient had no previous history of psychiatric or sleep disorders. However, it was the first time he had experienced such recurrent nightmares, especially after the start of 500 mg metformin thrice a day. Based on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Probability Scale, and sudden onset and disappearance of nightmares after metformin initiation and discontinuation made metformin the primary cause of his nightmares.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Giant Cell Arteritis , Aged , Humans , Male , Biopsy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Giant Cell Arteritis/diagnosis , Predictive Value of Tests , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
This review article is an overview of the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. ICBT's effectiveness has been investigated in treating and managing conditions like depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, and phobias. ICBT's role in the treatment of medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus with comorbid psychiatric illnesses was also explored. Furthermore, this study elaborates on its cost-effectiveness and its impact in rural areas. We conducted a thorough literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar with no restrictions on the date. ICBT's role in treating and controlling psychiatric illnesses has been established in the literature. From the data compiled, we conclude that ICBT is useful in treating mental health and medical illnesses with psychiatric comorbidities. It has also been found to be cost-effective for patients and society. ICBT is a potential tool emerging with modern day technological advancements and is useful in rural and urban settings, across various languages and cultures, and on a global scale. Larger randomized control trials on its use in clinical practice and in reaching rural populations are bound to shed more light on the effectiveness of this tool along with spreading awareness among physician and patient communities.