Comprehensive Literature Review Research Articles

Background: Coccidioidomycosis is primarily found in the southwestern United States and endemic regions of Central and South America, typically manifesting as a mild respiratory illness. Extrapulmonary manifestations are rare, occurring in approximately 1% of cases. Among these, coccidioidal pericarditis represents an exceptionally uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication. This condition can lead to serious outcomes including pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and heart failure. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using PubMed to identify relevant articles published from January 1950 to July 2024. The search terms used were "Coccidioides AND Pericarditis" and "Coccidioidomycosis AND Pericarditis." We further evaluated citations in included articles and reviews to identify additional studies and expanded our search to international literature from endemic regions. Description of Case: A 53-year-old immunocompetent African American male presented with a 4-month history of dyspnea, fever, and night sweats. CT imaging showed miliary lung infiltration, a pulmonary mass, and spinal lytic lesions. Initial echocardiography revealed mild pericardial effusion that progressed to cardiac tamponade within 48 hours, necessitating a surgical pericardial window. Pericardial fluid and biopsy confirmed Coccidioides infection. He was treated with amphotericin B followed by fluconazole. MRI two months post-discharge revealed spinal osteomyelitis, which was confirmed on biopsy. Results: Our review identified 37 reported cases of coccidioidal pericarditis between 1950 and 2024. Most were from the United States, particularly California and Arizona. Common presenting symptoms included dyspnea (67.6%), chest pain (48.6%), and cough (37.8%). Complications included cardiac tamponade (27.0%), constrictive pericarditis (27.0%), and heart failure (21.6%). Among 36 cases with outcome data, the mortality rate was 25.0%, with most deaths occurring in earlier reports. Conclusion: Coccidioidal pericarditis is a rare but serious complication of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. It can rapidly progress to cardiac tamponade or constriction and carries significant morbidity and mortality. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in patients from or with travel to endemic areas presenting with unexplained pericardial disease. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are essential to improving patient outcomes.

Background: Current guidelines recommend beta-blocker use after myocardial infarction (MI), however, Recent data has challenged the utility of beta-blockers in patients with preserved (LVEF>50%) or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF 40-50%) post the reperfusion era.This updated meta-analysis aims to update the current understanding of the efficacy of beta-blocker use after MI in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A comprehensive literature review conducted across PubMed, ClinicalKey, and Cochrane from 2010 to 2024 identified five trials (n=19318 patients) that evaluated beta-blocker therapy after MI in patients with LVEF ≥ 40. Fixed and random effect models with Mantel-Haenszel statistical method were used to calculate p-values, risk ratios, Z scores, and a 95% confidence interval on RevMan 7.14.0 software. Results: A non-significant trend favoring continuation of beta-blocker therapy compared to cessation for incidence of composite major cardiovascular events (MACE)(p=0.29) (RR=1.09[0.93, 1.27]), death from any cause (p=0.43) (RR=1.121[0.84, 1.50]), death from cardiac cause(p=0.39) (RR=1.24[0.76, 2.00]), MI (p=0.46) (RR=1.07[0.89, 1.30]), hospitalization for heart failure (p=0.23) (RR=1.22[0.88, 1.69]), and stroke (p=0.81) (RR=1.04[0.75, 1.43]). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that beta-blocker therapy after MI in patients with LVEF ≥ 40 does not significantly improve MACE, death from any cause, death from cardiac cause, hospitalization for heart failure and stroke. For this subgroup, these findings support a more selective and individualized approach rather than routine post-MI beta-blocker prescription.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is offered in the French, English and German public healthcare systems for fetal aneuploidy screening from a relatively early stage of pregnancy (around 10–12 weeks of gestation). Results from NIPT can be used to inform decisions about subsequent diagnostic procedures, and pregnancy management, which may include options for termination of pregnancy (TOP). Since NIPT is a screening test and not diagnostic, clinical guidelines recommend confirmation through an invasive procedure. Across the three countries, healthcare professionals (HCPs) expressed concerns that women may make uninformed decisions around TOP, in the sense of not being fully informed either regarding the test performance or regarding the fetal condition. This paper draws on a comprehensive literature review, and data from a comparative study including 58 semi-structured interviews with French, English and German healthcare professionals (HCPs) on ethical issues, perceptions and regulations regarding NIPT and TOP. HCPs in our study expressed a number of fears and concerns about how and why women or prospective parents might make uninformed decisions about TOP. Their key concerns include decisions being made based on a NIPT result without diagnostic confirmation, with references to anecdotal accounts, and biased or uninformed perceptions of genetic conditions such as Down’s Syndrome. Our findings highlight how the desire for autonomy in pregnancy decisions may in some ways conflict with HCPs’ duty to ensure that counselling takes place, and that women or prospective parents have an adequate level of understanding of the implications of NIPT.

Over the past decade, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators have revolutionized the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Currently, 4 modulators are approved for clinical use: ivacaftor, lumacaftor, tezacaftor, and elexacaftor. Despite their clinical benefits, these drugs show significant pharmacokinetic variability and interindividual differences in therapeutic response. This review aimed to evaluate the available evidence supporting therapeutic drug monitoring of CFTR modulators and to highlight knowledge gaps that may limit its clinical implementation. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor. Bioanalytical methods developed for quantifying these compounds in biological fluids were systematically analyzed, and reported drug concentration ranges were summarized. Multiple analytical methods have been described for the quantification of CFTR modulators, showing varying degrees of sensitivity and suitability for clinical application. Reported plasma concentration ranges confirm a high degree of interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. However, the relationship between drug exposure, therapeutic efficacy, and safety outcomes remains only partially defined. Although CFTR modulators meet many of the established criteria for therapeutic drug monitoring, critical gaps persist, particularly regarding exposure-response relationships and optimal sampling strategies. Addressing these issues will be essential to establish therapeutic drug monitoring as a reliable tool for personalizing CFTR modulator therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis.

The study underscores the potential impact of caregivers' perceptions on the caregiving burden. Recommendations include providing targeted support to caregivers with negative perceptions, enhancing their coping mechanisms, and offering psychosocial support for stress and anxiety management. Additionally, it is advised to periodically assess caregivers' metaphorical perceptions and conduct similar studies with different samples of caregivers of children with special needs. • Having a child with an intellectual disability is an emotional burden for all familymembers, a stressful life experience, and requires ongoing coping strategies. •The perceived care burden of family members with mentally disabled children is animportant factor affecting the mental health levels of caregivers. •This section should briefly summarize the existing knowledge or consensus on thetopic. It should not be a comprehensive literature review, but rather a concise statement of the keyfindings or established principles. •Focus on the most relevant and impactful prior research directly related to your study.

ABSTRACT The increasing ecological degradation, institutional challenges, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities have compelled policymakers to promote climate‐resilient land management practices. However, multiple factors hinder the implementation of effective resilience strategies. Therefore, this study presents a structured decision‐making framework for assessing and prioritizing factors that influence climate‐resilient land management in China. In the first phase, 6 key criteria and 24 sub‐criteria were identified through a comprehensive literature review. In the second phase, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign weights and rank the importance of these factors. The findings revealed that institutional capacity, economic viability, and soil stability are the most critical determinants. Finally, 10 strategic interventions were evaluated using the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to determine their relative effectiveness. The results showed that policy harmonization, capacity building, and carbon‐smart incentives ranked highest among the proposed strategies. These insights offer practical implications for advancing climate‐resilient land governance in China.

ABSTRACT The present study describes the development and psychometric evaluation of a new diagnostic instrument for the assessment of trauma-related sexual problems: The Sexual Problems following Trauma Questionnaire (SPTQ). A set of 55 items, developed from a comprehensive literature review and expert and patient queries, was tested on a German sample of 849 trauma-exposed adults and 46 healthy controls. The initial items were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in a randomly selected subsample (N = 439) of trauma-exposed adults. A final set of 27 items was subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to cross-validate the factor structure in a separate subsample (N = 410). The EFA revealed six dimensions: Negative Emotions and Cognitions, Lack of Boundaries, Intrusion and Avoidance, Dissociation, Hyperarousal, and Instrumental Sexual Behavior. The CFA demonstrated good to excellent model fit (CFI = .91; TLI = .90; RMSEA = .08; SRMR = .07), and the SPTQ total scale showed excellent internal consistency (α = .95). Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with sexual function measures, while criterion validity showed correlations with time since last sexual contact and satisfaction. In sum, results indicate that the SPTQ is a reliable and valid measure of sexual problems following trauma.

Lymphedema is a persistent and often debilitating condition resulting from lymphatic system dysfunction. It frequently develops as a secondary complication, especially after cancer treatments. Traditional management, centered on complete decongestive therapy (CDT), offers modest benefits but is limited by accessibility, long-term adherence, and variable patient response. This narrative review explores how digital health and enhanced compression technologies are reshaping lymphedema care. A comprehensive review of pertinent literature was conducted to assess the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), telehealthplatforms, mobile applications, virtual reality-based rehabilitation, and advanced compression devices in the management oflymphedema. Focus was directed towards their clinical efficacy, patient-centered advantages, and the challenges associated withtheir implementation. AI-driven instruments exhibit significant promise for precise risk stratification, prompt diagnosis, and individualized treatmentplanning. Digital platforms-including telehealth services, mobile applications, and virtual rehabilitation programs-improveaccessibility, enhance patient engagement, and promote sustained adherence over time. Cutting-edge compression modalities, suchas sensor-equipped garments, adaptive pneumatic systems, and vibration-assisted apparatus, deliver dynamic, feedback-informedtherapeutic interventions. The amalgamation of these technological advancements with wearable biosensors and AI-poweredplatforms has yielded promising outcomes in limb volume regulation, rehabilitation efficacy, and overall quality of life. Nevertheless,challenges persist concerning equitable access, compliance with regulatory frameworks, cost-effectiveness, and the preparedness ofclinicians. Digital health and sophisticated compression methodologies signify a transformative advancement in lymphedema management,promoting anticipatory, individualized, and universally accessible healthcare. Mitigating existing obstacles is crucial for the effectiveincorporation of these approaches into standard clinical protocols.

Abstract The private sector plays crucial role in achieving the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. It is not surprising that in recent years, academic interest at the interface of climate change and management accelerated. Many researchers are working on understanding important relationships between corporate carbon performance and corporate governance factors, as well as linkages between carbon and financial performance. Understanding the determinants and consequences of corporate climate action is highly relevant, especially in times where corporate sustainability is increasingly under scrutiny. Reliable scientific results require robust and consistent underlying data and metrics for measurement. Corporate carbon performance data is required which is comparable, meaningful and clearly defined. Based on a comprehensive systematic literature review, this study sets out to explore the evolution and application of corporate carbon performance metrics over time used in empirical management research. The in-depth analysis discusses the current application of various metrics and their different characteristics, such as emission scopes, types of greenhouse gases covered, and the metrics themselves. Moreover, the underlying data sources from third party providers are critically examined. Based on the findings, future research avenues and recommendations for standardizing carbon performance metrics used in academia are presented, aiming to improve the comparability of study results amongst researchers when working with corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission performance data.

In recent years, studies in humanitarian logistics have increased due to the frequency, dimensions and losses caused by disasters. It is possible to be prepared for the negative situations that may occur before disasters occur and to take necessary precautions with an effective disaster management strategy. Making plans by evaluating the dynamic structure of humanitarian logistics processes in disasters plays an important role before and after the disaster. In addition, the failure to analyze and consider the risks in these processes makes it challenging to manage them effectively and efficiently. Although various approaches have been proposed to improve efficiency, there is still a need for a comprehensive literature review that classifies studies according to their methods, decisions, and risk considerations. In this study, a literature review was carried out to provide a risk-oriented decision-making framework for studies on humanitarian logistics. The studies are categorized according to their methods, the decisions, and the risks they address.

Background/Objectives: Scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients, particularly those with neuromuscular disorders, is associated with increased perioperative risk due to respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular comorbidities, and nutritional deficiencies. This review aims to summarize current evidence-based approaches to anesthetic management in this vulnerable population. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted focusing on anesthetic strategies and multidisciplinary protocols used in the perioperative care of children with neuromuscular conditions undergoing scoliosis surgery. Emphasis was placed on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), blood conservation techniques, and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles. Results: Key management strategies include individualized preoperative risk assessment, use of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) to preserve IONM signal integrity, and the implementation of blood conservation methods such as antifibrinolytic therapy and intraoperative cell salvage. Additional perioperative considerations include maintaining normothermia, careful positioning, and multimodal analgesia. Postoperative care should incorporate structured respiratory support and early mobilization within the ERAS pathway to promote recovery and reduce complications. Conclusions: The perioperative care of pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing spinal surgery requires a multidisciplinary and individualized anesthetic approach. Adherence to evidence-based protocols, including TIVA, blood management strategies, and ERAS principles, is essential for minimizing perioperative complications and improving outcomes in this high-risk group.

Ventilation systems in railway tunnels are crucial for ensuring the safe operation of trains, particularly those powered by diesel locomotives. Inadequate ventilation design may cause serious traffic accidents. Previous studies were generally focused on tunnel ventilation issues for highway tunnels or high-speed railway tunnels, while little attention has been paid to systematic ventilation design for diesel locomotive railway tunnels. To summarize the research progress and find a sustainable solution of ventilation for diesel locomotive railway tunnels, a comprehensive review of the relevant literature was conducted in this paper. First, the development history of diesel locomotives is traced, and the main framework and key components of a diesel locomotive railway ventilation system are introduced. Then, the limit values of locomotive emissions within tunnels specified in different standards from different countries are compared. Finally, key factors affecting the performance of ventilation systems in diesel locomotive railway tunnels are sorted. It is found that diesel locomotives remain the primary choice for railway freight traction in developing countries and specific challenging environments, such as high-altitude areas and permafrost regions. In the ventilation design for tunnels in these regions, particular attention must be paid to pollutants like CO, NO, and NO2. Ventilation efficiency is influenced by numerous factors, including tunnel geometry, internal systems, and train operating conditions. Intelligent ventilation control presents a promising sustainable solution to address future demands. This review can provide a reference for subsequent research on ventilation technologies, low-carbon retrofitting, and sustainable development practices for diesel locomotive railway tunnels.

ABSTRACT Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars are increasingly recognized as a promising alternative to conventional steel reinforcement in concrete structures due to their corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, and eco-friendly production. Their application in continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) systems offers an opportunity to leverage these advantages. However, challenges remain, including GFRP’s relatively low elastic modulus, thermal incompatibility with concrete, and manufacturing limitations. To address these issues, this study integrates a comprehensive literature review with three-dimensional finite element simulations. The review highlights GFRP’s superior durability against chloride-induced corrosion and its ability to reduce local stress concentrations. Nonetheless, concerns remain regarding its lower stiffness, which may result in increased deflection and crack width in flexural members. Numerical analyses further suggest that the reduced modulus of GFRP lowers effective stresses, thereby potentially mitigating horizontal cracking. Consequently, GFRP bars demonstrate considerable promise as a substitute for conventional steel in CRCP applications. This study provides insights into the structural feasibility and performance benefits of GFRP reinforcement in pavement systems, contributing to the development of more durable and corrosion-resistant designs.

Applying Dynamic Modeling in Empirical <scp>OM</scp> Research: A Review and Practical Guide

Suicide is a major global public health concern that affects people of all ages, with over 700000 individuals intentionally ending their lives every year. Suicide is a multifactorial event related to multiple risk factors interlocking with each other, among which neurobiological factors are considered to be an objective measure of the incidence of this phenomenon and can be used as a measurable tool for evaluating suicidal tendencies. The aim of this study is to thoroughly examine available data and assess candidate proteins as prospective biomarkers for predicting suicides and ascertaining the manner of death in forensic cases. An electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Science Direct Scopus, and the Excerpta Medica Database. The systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and encompassed case series, prospective and retrospective studies, and short communications published in English. The focus was on proteomics and suicide, specifically, those studies where researchers conducted human proteomic analyses on specimens obtained from individuals who completed or attempted suicide. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, resulting in a dataset of numerous candidate protein biomarkers. These include tenascin-C, potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 3, vimentin-immunoreactive astrocytes, glutathione S-transferase theta 1, iron transport proteins, Acrystallin chain B, manganese superoxide dismutase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, various glycolytic pathway proteins, 14-3-3 eta and 14-3-3 theta proteins, specific cytoskeleton proteins, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein 1, extrinsic coagulation pathway proteins, the vacuolar-type proton pump ATPase subunit, plasma apolipoprotein A-IV, and ER stress proteins. These proteins are proposed as a panel of biomarkers to be evaluated in conjunction with other clinical predictors of suicide. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of all proteomic studies conducted on cases of attempted or completed suicide. By doing so, it seeks to bridge existing gaps in knowledge and pave the way for future investigations. The ultimate goal is to potentially identify a suicide biomarker.

"The silent strain: Exploring self-image and mental health in braced adolescents with scoliosis": a scoping review.

Exploring the toxicity of mononuclear piano-stool Ru(II) anticancer agents: A comprehensive literature review

Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in regulating key cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, embryonic development, spliceosome assembly, and gene expression. Notably, MELK is overexpressed in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), an aggressive malignancy associated with poor prognosis, high drug resistance, and limited treatment options. Given its critical role in TNBC pathogenesis, MELK has emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. This review explores the molecular functions of MELK, its involvement in oncogenic signaling pathways, and the development of MELK-targeting small-molecule inhibitors. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate current knowledge on MELK, including its molecular functions, interactions within signaling pathways, role in TNBC progression, and potential as a therapeutic target. Relevant databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, were searched for studies related to MELK expression, signaling mechanisms, and experimental therapeutic approaches. MELK plays a central role in oncogenic signaling pathways that drive TNBC proliferation and survival. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MELK inhibition can suppress TNBC cell growth and enhance chemotherapy efficacy. Several small-molecule inhibitors targeting MELK have shown promising anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. However, challenges remain in translating these findings into clinical applications due to drug specificity limitations and resistance mechanisms. MELK is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in TNBC. However, further research is required to refine MELK inhibitors, enhance clinical efficacy, and overcome drug resistance mechanisms. Targeting MELK could offer a novel therapeutic strategy to improve TNBC treatment outcomes.

Monolithic capillary electrochromatographic enantioseparation system for dichlorprop based on a novel nanomaterial synthesized by chiral metal organic frameworks and racemic-templated chiral molecular imprinted polymers.

Magnetic resonance imaging in lymphedema: Opportunities, challenges, and future perspectives.