Evaluation of the General Population's Knowledge Concerning Liver Health: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Liver disease is among the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Given their substantial impact on public health, raising awareness about liver diseases is paramount for their prevention and effective management. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of Syrians regarding liver health, chronic liver disorders, and their associated serious and irreversible complications. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing the adult Syrian population between August 25 and September 29, 2023, excluding non-Syrians and individuals below the age of 18 years. A validated questionnaire, adapted from a previous study, was employed, consisting of 31 questions that covered topics related to knowledge and awareness of liver health and diseases (3-point Likert scale), attitudes towards liver screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and awareness of treatment options and vaccination. Statistical analysis including logistic regression was conducted using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 28; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), with statistical significance set established at pp-values below 0.05. RESULTS: This study included 941 participants, with an average age of 26.5 years. While two-thirds of respondents demonstrated awareness of hepatitis B and C as viral diseases (663 (70.4%) and 612 (65.4%), respectively), approximately 66 (7%) were unaware of the potential for hepatitis to induce chronic liver inflammation or lead to liver failure. Over half of the participants were knowledgeable about the non-genetic nature of hepatitis B and C, and 579 (61.7%) were informed about the transmission risks associated with these infections. The most common reason cited for not participating in health screening tests was the perception of being in good health (219, 77.4%), and prescription medication was the most frequently sought treatment for hepatitis (543, 83.9%). Bivariate analysis revealed correlations between participant knowledge and sex, socioeconomic status, educational level, and occupation (P < 0.05). Similarly, the study identified significant associations between participant attitudes and age, gender, economic status, job, and educational level (P < 0.05). Moreover, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that gender, occupation, and educational level significantly influenced both participants' knowledge and attitudes. Specifically, males exhibited lower knowledge and less favorable attitudes than females (P = 0.041 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Syrian population possessed moderate knowledge of liver health and liver disorders. To bridge this knowledge gap and enhance preventive measures, it is recommended that additional health programs and awareness initiatives be implemented, involving healthcare providers and leveraging their expertise.

Hyper-IgE syndrome: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES), also known as Job syndrome, is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by elevated serum IgE levels, recurrent infections, and various clinical features. Early diagnosis, prompt management of infections, and supportive care are essential in improving outcomes for individuals with HIES. Genetic testing, including STAT3 gene sequencing, plays a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of HIES and develop targeted therapies to improve the quality of life for affected individuals. Case presentation: This case report presents the clinical features and management of a 37-year-old male with HIES, diagnosed at the age of 2 due to recurrent cold abscesses caused by Staphylococcal infections. Clinical discussion: The patient exhibited typical symptoms of HIES, including recurrent eczema, frequent bacterial infections, mucocutaneous candidiasis, and various physical abnormalities. Diagnostic markers such as elevated IgE levels and eosinophilia supported the HIES diagnosis, which was further confirmed by the identification of a STAT3 gene mutation. Treatment primarily involved supportive measures and antibiotics for infections. The patient's blood test results and imaging findings revealed abnormalities such as low red blood cell count, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and pulmonary nodules. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of early diagnosis, prompt management of infections, and the need for ongoing research to improve our understanding and treatment of HIES.

Testicular mesothelioma disguised as hydrocele: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Testicular tumors have many different manifestations. The majority of these cases are presented as an incidental finding during hydrocelectomy. Malignant mesotheliomas are uncommon tumours that can arise from the coelomic epithelium of the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, and tunica vaginalis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 51-year-old South Asian (Indian) male patient with a rare case of mesothelioma, presenting with right hydrocele, to whom a right hydrocelectomy was performed. Any history of trauma or asbestos exposure was not present. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry reports revealed a malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis. There was no invasion of the tumour to the epididymis and spermatic cord. Imaging studies showed no signs of metastasis. 1 month later, a high inguinal orchidectomy was performed. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy thereafter and is still on follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although hydrocele is common, detailed evaluation is mandatory to rule out certain rare tumours-testicular and paratesticular variants.

Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined With Camrelizumab in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary cancer of liver tissue and is often caused by chronic liver diseases. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system is commonly used to determine the stage and prognosis of HCC. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the recommended first-line therapy for intermediate-stage HCC (patients who have asymptomatic, multi-nodular hepatocellular carcinoma). Over the past 10 years, the combination of TACE with immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as Camrelizumab, has shown promising results in treating HCC. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Elsevier, Scopus, ATC abstracts, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases was performed to identify relevant studies on the effectiveness of TACE combined with Camrelizumab in the treatment of HCC. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assurance were conducted by independent investigators. From 1023 identified citations, six studies were included in the final analysis. The combined results of these studies showed a complete response rate of 7.35%, a partial response rate of 37.10%, stable disease in 28.76% of patients, an objective response rate of 46.13%, a disease control rate of 77.19%, and progression-free survival of 6.2 months. The combination of TACE and Camrelizumab appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with advanced, recurrent, and unresectable HCC. However, the included studies had limitations such as retrospective design and small sample sizes. Further research is needed to validate and expand on these findings.

The Potential of Topical Therapy for Diabetic Wounds: A Narrative Review.

The rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus brings with it a rise in the occurrence of several complications of the disease such as chronic non-healing wounds. Diabetics are more prone to developing chronic wounds due to complications like peripheral neuropathy, poor foot care, hyperglycaemia and peripheral vascular diseases. The aim of this review is to discuss the various imbalances in the cytokine environment of diabetic wounds and to explore the developments in their management with an emphasis on agents that may be used topically to aid the healing process of chronic wounds. A systematic search was conducted on Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar and relevant articles were shortlisted. We conclude that increased blood sugar impairs most phases of wound healing in several ways. Supplementary therapy with either topical or systemic cytokines is shown to promote wound healing in a diabetic wound.

The Association Between Alzheimer's Disease and Epilepsy: A Narrative Review.

Several studies have established the two-way relationship between the sporadic and familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy. However, a more robust connection exists between epilepsy and early onset familial AD (EOFAD). Still, the mechanisms underlying the same are not yet fully understood. Aging is also known to be associated with both AD and seizures. Seizures of any type can occur at any stage of AD and are six to 10 times more likely in patients with AD than in controls of a similar age group. Seizures can quicken cognitive decline and increase mortality, amplifying the medical and economic burden. It is, therefore, clinically essential to recognize and treat seizures early in these patients. However, diagnosis of seizures in AD is complicated by the difficulty in identifying non-motor focal seizures in patients with cognitive decline, problems with obtaining histories, low sensitivity of standard scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) methods, nonspecific cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and radiological findings. This article has reviewed and summarised the existing literature on the association between AD and epilepsy pertaining to epidemiology, pathophysiological links, risk factors, modalities for diagnosis, and treatment strategies.