Efficacy of daprodustat for patients on dialysis with anemia: systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly complicated by anemia. Treating dialysis-dependent patients with anemia, including daprodustat and other inhibitors of prolyl hydroxylase of hypoxia-inducible factor, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), and iron supplements. We conducted this study to test our postulation; daprodustat is superior to rhEPO and other conventional treatments respecting efficacy and safety parameters. We made systematic search through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. Seven unique trials were eventually included for systematic review; six of them with a sample size of 759 patients entered our network meta-analysis (NMA). Daprodustat 25-30 mg was associated with the greatest change in serum hemoglobin (MD=1.86, 95%CI= [1.20; 2.52]), ferritin (MD= -180.84, 95%CI= [-264.47; -97.20]), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (MD=11.03, 95%CI= [3.15; 18.92]) from baseline values. Dialysis-dependent patients with anemia had a significant increment in serum Hemoglobin and TIBC and a reduction in serum ferritin, in a dose-dependent manner, when administered daprodustat.

Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of Healthcare Workers in Arab Countries Regarding Basic Life Support; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Effective Basic Life Support (BLS) interventions, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), are essential for enhancing survival rates. This review aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of healthcare professionals regarding BLS in Arab countries. Methods: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE, to identify relevant studies. We included studies performed in Arab countries that included healthcare workers' KAP assessment towards BLS. The meta-analysis was carried out utilizing the OpenMeta Analyst Software, and a subgroup analysis was performed for Nursing staff category. The quality of the included cross-sectional studies was assessed through Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Results: A total of 18 studies were included in our study, and eight of them entered the analysis. The study showed that 61.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 48.9%, 73.7%, p<0.001) of health care workers were knowledgeable about the correct CPR ratio, and 62.1% (95% CI: 51.7%, 72.5%, p<0.001) answered the location of chest compression correctly. While, only 36.5% (95% CI: 23.5%, 49.6%, p<0.001) had correct answers regarding the compression rate, 48.1% (95% CI: 38.1%, 58.0%, p<0.001) were aware of the compression depth, and 34.8% (95% CI: 22.9%, 46.7%, p<0.001) answered the sequence correctly. Conclusion: The study revealed a gap regarding the BLS KAP of healthcare workers in different Arab countries, which crucially requires taking actions, in terms of frequent certified training sessions, assessments, and clear protocols.

Healthcare workers' compliance with the catheter associated urinary tract infection prevention guidelines: an observational study in Yemen.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection is a global problem but it can be prevented with the appropriate implementation of evidence-based guidelines. This study was conducted to assess the level of compliance of healthcare workers with the catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention guidelines during the insertion of a urinary catheter. METHODS: An observational study using a descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted at Sana'a City hospitals, Yemen. All the nurses and physicians from the governmental, teaching, and private hospitals were eligible to participate in the study. The data collection was performed through convenience sampling from March 2020 to December 2020, using a structured observational checklist prepared specifically for this study. RESULTS: The majority of the urinary catheter insertions were performed by nurses. There were no written policy or procedures for an urinary catheter insertion and no in-service education or training departments in the majority of the hospitals. The overall mean score of compliance was 7.31 of 10. About 71% of the healthcare workers had a high or acceptable level of compliance and 29% had an unsafe level of compliance. Compliance was low for maintaining aseptic technique throughout the insertion procedure, using a single use packet of lubricant jelly, performing hand hygiene immediately before insertion, and securing the urinary catheter once inserted. Factors affecting the healthcare workers compliance were gender, the working ward/unit of the healthcare workers, the availability of a written policy/procedure and a department or unit for in-service education. CONCLUSION: Yemeni healthcare workers' overall compliance was acceptable but it was unsafe in several critical measures. There is an urgent need for developing, implementing, and monitoring national guidelines and institutional policy and procedures for catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention. Periodical in-service education and training programs and adequate access to the necessary materials and supplies are paramount.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of the Baska mask versus other laryngeal mask airways during general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The Baska mask is a supraglottic airway device used during general anaesthesia that combines features from various other devices. This systematic review aims to compare its efficacy and safety with other laryngeal mask airways. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. RevMan software was used for meta-analysis, with mean difference and risk ratios calculated for continuous and dichotomous data, respectively, along with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The meta-analysis found that the Baska mask provides a better oropharyngeal seal pressure (mean difference = 7.03; 95% confidence interval = [6.00, 8.07], p < 0.00001) and a higher rate of maximal seal pressure (risk ratio = 18.38; 95% confidence interval = [2.53, 133.47], p = 0.004) compared to other laryngeal mask airways. However, the Baska mask had lower success rates in first-attempt insertion (risk ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = [0.72, 0.86], p < 0.00001) and higher rates of insertion manipulation (risk ratio = 16.64; 95% confidence interval = [5.86, 47.24], p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: The Baska mask offers better oropharyngeal seal pressure, but may be more difficult to insert than other laryngeal mask airways, without causing significant delays. The Baska mask appears as safe as other laryngeal mask airways, but larger trials are needed to support these findings.

Efficacy of resveratrol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and hormonal condition affecting women of a reproductive age. It causes an abnormal menstrual cycle, anovulation, infertility, acne, hirsutism, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disorders. Because resveratrol decreases testosterone levels, it may be of value in treating PCOS. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of resveratrol in treating women with PCOS. We searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science. With 95% confidence intervals, the data was retrieved and analyzed as a mean difference (MD) or a standardized mean difference (SMD). Four RCTs with 218 women were included in the analysis. Resveratrol significantly reduced testosterone (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI [-0.71, -0.10], P = 0.009), luteinizing hormone (LH) (SMD = -0.32; 95% CI [-0.62, 0.01], P = 0.04), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (MD = -0.85; 95% CI [-1.25, -0.45], P < 0.0001) compared with the placebo. Resveratrol is effective in treating women with PCOS due to reducing the levels of testosterone, LH, and DHEAS. In combination with other treatments, especially for hyperlipidemia, resveratrol is beneficial for women diagnosed with PCOS.

Percutaneous needle aspiration versus catheter drainage in the management of liver abscess: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Liver abscesses differ in their aetiology, location, and number. Image-guided percutaneous drainage techniques are the currently used management for liver abscesses. We conducted our study to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) to percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). METHODS: A systematic review of major reference databases was undertaken in February 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare PNA to PCD in treating liver abscess patients. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Statistical meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan and open meta-analyst software. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs were included in this review, with 1676 patients enrolled. The overall quality of the included trials was moderate, with most domains of unclear risk. PCD was superior to PNA in the success rate (RR = 1.23; 95% CI [1.12, 1.36], P < 0.00001), time for achieving 50% reduction of cavity size (MD = -2.32; 95% CI [-3.07, -1.57], P < 0.00001), and time for clinical improvement (MD = -1.92; 95% CI [-2.55, -1.28], P < 0.00001). The two modalities did not differ in the days of hospital stay, duration of IV antibiotics, and time needed for total or subtotal reduction of cavity size (P = 0.36, P = 0.06 and P = 0.40, respectively). High heterogeneity levels were detected. Regarding major complications, the two modalities were equally safe (P = 0.39). CONCLUSION: PCD has a higher success rate and results in a faster 50% reduction in the abscess cavity size and clinical improvement. The two modalities are equally safe.

Efficacy of ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel in improving endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor and clopidogrel are antiplatelet drugs that act by binding to the adenosine diphosphate P2Y12 receptor. Previous studies have compared between them regarding the endothelial function effect. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to summarize the evidence comparing the efficacy of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel in improving endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In August 2021, the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library were searched systematically for eligible trials. We included randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel in improving endothelial function in patients with CAD. RESULTS: Seven trials (n = 511) were included in our systematic review. Ticagrelor resulted in a greater elevation of the level of progenitor cells CD34+ KDR+ and CD34+ 133+ (P = 0.036 and P = 0.019, respectively), with a lower rate of endothelial cell apoptosis rate (P < 0.001). Moreover, ticagrelor showed superiority regarding nitric oxide, radical oxygen species, and soluble P-selectin levels (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, and P = 0.019, respectively). Flow-mediated dilation findings differed between the studies (P = 0.004 vs. P = 0.39). CONCLUSION: Ticagrelor appears to exert an additional improvement in endothelial function compared with clopidogrel in patients with coronary heart disease.

Vaginal preparation with different antiseptic solutions before cesarean section for preventing postoperative infections: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate the effect of various vaginal wash solutions on reducing risks of post-cesarean endometritis, wound infections, fever, and hospital stay duration. METHODS: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized clinical trials that compared different vaginal wash solutions to each other or to "no vaginal cleaning"; without restriction on the age of parturients or site where trials were conducted. We analyzed this frequentist network meta-analysis using the netmeta package in R software version 4.1.2; synthesized data as mean difference or risk ratio with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Our network meta-analysis included 29 RCTs with a total sample size of 9311 women undergoing CS. Regarding post-cesarean endometritis, we found that povidone-iodine had the highest significant risk reduction compared to "no vaginal cleaning" (RR = 0.08, 95% CI [0.01, 0.69]). While regarding post-cesarean reduction of wound infection, fever, and hospital stay duration, we found that chlorhexidine 4% (RR = 0.17, 95% CI [0.05, 0.65]), saline 0.9% (RR = 0.12, 95% CI [0.03; 0.48]), and saline 0.9% (MD = -1.29, 95% CI [-2.18; -0.39]), respectively, had the highest significant risk reduction compared to "no vaginal cleaning." CONCLUSION: Vaginal wash solutions were associated with a significant reduction of post-cesarean endometritis, wound infection, fever, and hospital stay duration. Since povidone-iodine had the highest significant reduction of post-cesarean endometritis, we recommend setting povidone-iodine as the standard practice as pre cesarean vaginal wash solution; consistent practice guidelines of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).

"We Are at The Forefront of Rural Areas" Emergency Nurse's Experience During Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: The pandemic makes everyone alert, including nurses who are in emergency rooms at community health centers, the importance of their experiences is a lesson for nurses to maintain themselves and be effectivein providing services. This study aimed to explore the experience of nurses who are in emergency rooms at rural area during the coronavirus disease pandemic. Methods: This qualitative research was conducted based on the Nvivo 12 analysis method using in-depth semistructured interviews. Data saturation was reached after 20 interviews were completed. Data collection lasted for 1 month from February to March 2020. Results: Semistructured interviews with 20 nurse participants obtained the following participant characteristics. Eight participants were males and 12 were females with an age ranged from 28 to 43 years (average age 36.4 years). The majority had vocational education (75%), with long experience that ranged from 5 to 15 years (average 11 years). The findings of four themes and seven subthemes. The theme of the findings is Expressions of care, Compliance increases using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Focus to refer to, Triage at the forefront. Conclusion: This research reveals that Expressions of care, Compliance increases using PPE, Focus to refer to, Triage at the forefront is the main theme identified in this study. Further investigation of the readiness of nurses in handling patients in the emergency room is considered to be of benefit to the results of this study.