MeSH Database Research Articles

REVEALING THE MULTIFACETED LANDSCAPE OF PROPOLIS RESEARCH (1945-2023): A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF DYNAMICITY, SPATIOTEMPORAL TRENDS, AND EMERGING PARADIGMS IN SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE

Propolis, a natural resinous substance bees produce, has long been recognized for its potential health benefits. This study aims to present a comprehensive bibliometric investigation, exploring the dynamicity, spatiotemporal trends, and emerging patterns in the scholarly discourse surrounding propolis research. The study tailed PRISMA guidelines and used MeSH databases and Scopus to retrieve relevant bibliographic data spanning 75 years. R-based Bibliometrix and VOSviewer applications were employed for data analysis. A noticeable increase in scholarly production was observed in the last two decades. Active participation in propolis research was identified from Brazil, China, and Turkey. The multidimensional nature of propolis research was evident through the diversity of topics covered in highly impactful research and intellectual maps of information sources. Thematic evolution highlighted the dynamic nature of propolis research, with emerging areas of investigation and an enhanced understanding of its therapeutic applications. Five prominent themes emerged: "propolis," "oxidative stress," "honey," "beeswax," and "allergic contact dermatitis." Additionally, emerging themes included chronic kidney disease, COVID-19, and metabolomics. Mapping international cooperation and co-citation of authors demonstrated multiple research activities. The findings of this study hold implications for researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, providing insights into the current landscape of propolis research.

Association between Estrogen Levels and Temporomandibular Disorders: An Updated Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the impact of estrogen levels on the occurrence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in humans. Searches were conducted in the same databases as follows: PubMed, the Cochrane Collaboration database, and the Scopus database. In accordance with the MeSH database and previous work, the following keywords were used: 'estrogens' and 'temporomandibular joint disorders'. Twelve studies were included in the review and were assessed for the quality of evidence. Estrogen levels are associated with pain modulation in the temporomandibular joint and the entire orofacial region. There is insufficient evidence to either confirm or refute the influence of estrogen on the occurrence of TMDs. The study was registered under the identifier: 10.17605/OSF.IO/BC7QF.

TDMD: A Database for Dynamic Color Mesh Quality Assessment Study.

Dynamic colored meshes (DCM) are widely used in various applications. However, this kind of meshes may undergo different processes, such as compression or transmission, which can distort them and degrade their quality. To facilitate the development of objective metrics for DCMs and study the influence of typical distortions on their perception, we create the Tencent - Dynamic colored Mesh Database (TDMD) containing eight reference DCM objects with six typical distortions. Using processed video sequences (PVS) derived from the DCM, we conduct a large-scale subjective experiment that resulted in 303 distorted DCM samples with mean opinion scores, making the TDMD the largest available DCM database to our knowledge. This database enables us to study the impact of different types of distortion on human perception and offers recommendations for DCM compression and related tasks. Additionally, we have evaluated three types of state-of-the-art objective metrics on the TDMD, including image-based, point-based, and video-based metrics, on the TDMD. Our experimental results highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each metric, and we provide suggestions about the selection of metrics in practical DCM applications. The TDMD is publicly available at the following location: https://multimedia.tencent.com/resources/tdmd.

Progress and trends of research on mineral elements for depression

ObjectiveTo explore the research progress and trends on mineral elements and depression. MethodsAfter querying the MeSH database and referring to the search rules, the search terms were selected and optimized to obtain the target literature collection. We analyzed the general characteristics of the literature, conducted network clustering and co-occurrence analysis, and carried out a narrative review of crucial literature. ResultsBipolar disorder was a dominant topic in the retrieved literature, which saw a significant increase in 2010 and 2019–2020. Most studies focused on mineral elements, including lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper. The majority of journals and disciplines were in the fields of psychiatry, neuropsychology, neuropharmacology, nutrition, medical informatics, chemistry, and public health. The United States had the highest proportion in terms of paper sources, most-cited articles, high-frequency citations, frontier citations, and high centrality citation. Regarding the influence of academic institutions, the top five were King's College London, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Barcelona, INSERM, and Heidelberg University. Frontier keywords included bipolar disorder, drinking water, (neuro)inflammation, gut microbiota, and systematic analysis. Research on lithium response, magnesium supplementation, and treatment-resistant unipolar depression increased significantly after 2013. ConclusionGlobal adverse events may have indirectly driven the progress in related research. Although the literature from the United States represents an absolute majority, its influence on academic institutions is relatively weaker. Multiple pieces of evidence support the efficacy of lithium in treating bipolar disorder (BD). A series of key discoveries have led to a paradigm shift in research, leading to increasingly detailed studies on the role of magnesium, calcium, zinc, and copper in the treatment of depression. Most studies on mineral elements remain diverse and inconclusive. The potential toxicity and side effects of some elements warrant careful attention.

Prospects for 3D-printing of clear aligners—a narrative review

Clear aligner therapy is a rapidly developing orthodontic treatment. 3D-printing technology, which enables the creation of complex geometric structures with high precision, has been used in dentistry. This article aims to summarize the various aspects of 3D-printing clear aligners and give an outlook on their future development. The traditional thermoforming technology is introduced and the principle and application of 3D-printed clear aligners and materials are introduced, as well as the application prospects of 3D-printed clear aligners. According to PRISMA statement, the relevant literature of 3D-printing clear aligner was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and other databases. We searched the related words in the MESH database and then carried out advanced searches. We read systematic review and conference papers to find the articles related to the subject and manually added and excluded articles by reading the title and abstract. The production of clear aligners combines computer-aided 3D analysis, personalized design and digital molding technology. The thickness and edges of the 3D-printed clear aligner can be digitally controlled, which allows appliance more efficiently fitted. Presently, the array of clear resins suitable for 3D-printing include photo polymeric clear methacrylate-based resin (Dental LT) (Form Labs, Somerville, Mass), aliphatic vinyl ester-polyurethane polymer (Tera Harz TC-85) (Graphy, Seoul, South Korea). They all have good biocompatibility. But no such material is currently approved on the market. Developing biocompatible resins and further improving the material’s mechanical properties will be critical for the combination of 3D-printing and clear aligners. However, the literature on 3D-printed clear aligners is limited and lacks clinical application. Further in vivo and in vitro tests, as well as additional exploration in conjunction with corresponding cytological tests, are required for the research on available materials and machinery for 3D-printing clear aligners.

Predictors of Mortality Following Mitral Valve Replacement: A SystematicReview

Introduction: Valvular heart diseases are some of the most common causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. The mitral valve is estimated to be the cause of 15% of deaths in heart valve disease. Mitral valve dysfunction can be treated with a variety of operative options, one of whichis mitral valve replacement. Although it is less desirable than repair, in some situations, it is the only viable option. Thus, we conducted this systematic review to help guide future risk assessment for mitral valve replacement patients and help in the construction of pre-operative risk assessment tools. Methods: This is a systematic review of original articles discussing the topic of predictors of mortality for patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery. A systematic search was conducted via independent researchers across a number of databases, starting with PubMed databases utilizing its MeSH database, followed by a complementary search through Google Scholar. Results: In total, 27 original articles were included in a collective cohort of 145005 patients. Older age was the most commonly cited variable as a mortality predictor, followed by decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. EuroSCORE is a well-known scoring system that predicts in-hospital mortality following major cardiac surgeries. It was found that it overestimated mortality greatly, while another study found that the revised EuroSCORE II system was a better predictor of mortality. Overall, we note that both versions usually overestimate mortality. Conclusion: There seems to be an overall agreement over several factors, including older age, decreased ejection fraction, and the expertise of the surgeon and the institution on being clear predictors of postoperative mortality. There is also an obvious need for new tools to better predict mortality rates preoperatively, as the currently used scores often result in greatly inaccurate predictions

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome: a comparative bibliometric analysis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze and map scientific literature on Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) and Serotonin Syndrome (SS) from prestigious, internationally indexed journals. The objective was to identify key topics, impactful articles, prominent journals, research output, growth patterns, hotspots, and leading countries in the field, providing valuable insights for scholars, medical students, and international funding agencies.MethodsA systematic search strategy was implemented in the PubMed MeSH database using specific keywords for NMS and SS. The search was conducted in the Scopus database, renowned for its extensive coverage of scholarly publications. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published from 1950 to December 31st, 2022, restricted to journal research and review articles written in English. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel for descriptive analysis, and VOSviewer was employed for bibliometric mapping.ResultsThe search yielded 1150 articles on NMS and 587 on SS, with the majority being case reports. Growth patterns revealed a surge in NMS research between 1981 and 1991, while SS research increased notably between 1993 and 1997. Active countries and journals differed between NMS and SS, with psychiatry journals predominating for NMS and pharmacology/toxicology journals for SS. Authorship analysis indicated higher multi-authored articles for NMS. Top impactful articles focused on review articles and pathogenic mechanisms. Research hotspots included antipsychotics and catatonia for NMS, while SS highlighted drug interactions and specific medications like linezolid and tramadol.ConclusionsNMS and SS represent rare but life-threatening conditions, requiring detailed clinical and scientific understanding. Differential diagnosis and management necessitate caution in prescribing medications affecting central serotonin or dopamine systems, with awareness of potential drug interactions. International diagnostic tools and genetic screening tests may aid in safe diagnosis and prevention. Reporting rare cases and utilizing bibliometric analysis enhance knowledge dissemination and research exploration in the field of rare drug-induced medical conditions.

Investigation of the Effects of Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy on Cognitive Functions of Toddlers: A Systematic Review.

Growing the human brain requires all necessary nutrients to form and maintain, so the development of cognitive functions of infants and children depends on adequate nutrition. Children whose mothers had inadequate nutrition are at high risk for cognitive dysfunction. The objective of the present study was to review the studies conducted on "the relationship between nutrient intake during pregnancy and the development of cognitive functions in toddlers". The present study was conducted by systematic review method using PRISMA checklist items. To conduct this study, the keywords "maternal nutrition", "pregnancy diet", "pregnancy supplement", "IQ", "intelligence quotient", "neurodevelopment", "cognitive function", "toddler", "early years" and "infant" were searched based on the Mesh database in scientific databases including Scopus, SID, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct to find articles related to the effect of nutrition during pregnancy on the development of the cognitive function of toddlers and its components in Persian and English. Finally, 17 articles were selected for review in this study. The results showed that taking a supplement of iron, saturated fatty acids, vitamins B and D, and folic acid improved the cognitive functions of toddlers. On the other hand, taking supplements containing iodine and zinc had no significant effect on the development of cognitive functions. Diets containing seafood during pregnancy had a beneficial effect on the cognitive functions of children. The study results highlighted the importance of adequate nutrition during pregnancy and showed that maternal nutrition played an important role in the development of cognitive functions of toddlers.

DHA and EPA in Sickle Cell Disease Favor Clinical Improvement and Contribute to Better Quality of Life: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Sickle cell disease is a severe genetic disorder, and searching for therapeutic strategies is indispensable for prolonged and improved life for people affected by this condition. This qualitative systematic review aimed to highlight the therapeutic potential of omega- 3 (n-3) in people with sickle cell disease. The search was performed by combining sickle cell disease and n-3 descriptors in DeCS/ MeSH databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library. The risk of bias assessment in the primary studies was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials. The evidence quality was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. From the 187 records identified, seven were selected for data collection. Based on the evidence, n-3 supplementation contributes to lower activation of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, improves the concentration of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids in the erythrocyte membrane, provides better hemostatic response, and helps in vaso-occlusive crisis, pain episodes, and hospitalization reduction. The findings suggest that n-3 adjuvant therapy favors the clinical and general aspects of people with sickle cell disease.

A pragmatic study of Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Mesh in Ventral and Parastomal Hernia repairs. Evaluation of outcomes from a tertiary centre.

Aims and Objectives: Incidence of complex ventral hernias and those with contamination are increasing. Synthetic meshes are not favoured due to increased risk of wound complications. Biologic meshes are used as an alternative given their biocompatible safety, but, there is lack of strong evidence to recommend its routine use. Hence, it is up to institutions to evaluate the safety and efficacy to support its continuing usage, which is the basis of this study.
 
 Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained PADM mesh database was performed focussing on midline and parastomal hernias. Demographic data, surgical techniques and short- and long-term complications were reviewed.
 
 Results: 71cases, (acute/elective 10/61) were included. The median age group, sex ratio in the acute and elective groups were 67 years (36-83yrs) and 62years (25-93yrs), 2:1 and 4:3 respectively. Mean ASA score was 3.4 in acute and 2.4 in elective group. Midline hernias constituted 37/ 61 (60%) and Parastomal hernias, 40% (24/61). Component separation was performed in 29 cases, which includes bilateral anterior component separation in 16, unilateral anterior component in 11 and posterior component separation in 2. Median length of stay was 11days (1-180d) and 15 days (1-159d) in the elective and acute groups respectively. Median length of follow up was 18 months (12 -72 months). There were 5 deaths within 90 days. Recurrences were noted in 6/37 (16%) midline repairs and 8/24 (33%) parastomal hernias.
 Conclusion: Our limited PADM series showed acceptable results in comparison with available studies. As such we find it a useful adjunct in the repair of complex ventral hernias.

Identifying the Factors Affecting Methamphetamine Use: A Scoping Review.

One of the critical factors affecting chronic diseases is the use of drugs, especially industrial substances, such as methamphetamine. Methamphetamine use is increasingly common among the younger members of society. Methamphetamine is not only physically and mentally destructive, but also has a significant impact on the families of abusers and society, and imposes a financial burden on society. The present study aims to identify the factors affecting methamphetamine use in a scoping review. Different keywords of methamphetamine were selected in the Mesh database and were searched in valid English databases from January 1, 2008, to April 5, 2022. Inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study were languages, reported findings, time range, and type of article. This study was designed by scoping review method developed by Askey Malley'O. The total articles that were finally analyzed in this article were 42 including 12 English articles and 30 Persian articles. Among these articles, the most important factors affecting Methamphetamine are individual, social, and family factors, which have received the most cited. The majority of research highlights the importance of individual factors, society, and family factors, respectively, while formulating policies for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation must be considered. It is suggested that structural path analysis be determined by prioritizing the identified factors and the weights of these components.

The Effect of Urea/Albumin Ratio on Mortality in the Geriatric Patients Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.

To analyse the effect of urea albumin ratio on mortality in intensive care patients aged over 65 years. An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Health Sciences University, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Emergency Critical Intensive Care Unit, from October 2021 to March 2022. Patients over 65 years of age admitted in the intensive care unit were included in this study, and the laboratory and clinical data were recorded within the first 24 hours after the admission of the patient. The urea : albumin ratio was calculated using serum urea and albumin concentrations. All the patients were monitored during intensive care admission and mortality rates were recorded; additionally 1-month mortalities of the patients were also recorded. The data of the survivors and non-survivors were compared. There were 362 patients with mean age of 79.00±8.40 years; 53.9% were females. The median urea : albumin ratio was found to be 22.8 mg/gr. The area under curve, sensitivity and specificity values were found to be 0.631, 68%, and 56% at a cut-off value of 22.1 mg/gr for urea : albumin ratio, respectively. In addition, urea : albumin ratio >22.1mg/gr was found to be significant in univariate regression analysis (p<0.001) and multivariate regression analysis (p<0.002) for the predictive value of 1-month mortality. Urea : albumin ratio is a simple and potentially useful prognostic factor in the geriatric patient population admitted in the intensive care unit. Geriatrics intensive care unit, Urea:albumin ratio, Mortality (MeSH database).

How Does It Work? Unraveling the Mysteries by Which Empagliflozin Helps Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients With Heart Failure.

In patients with heart failure, empagliflozin offers significant cardiovascular benefits. However, its exact mode of action is unknown. Understanding the way by which empagliflozin works in heart failure may uncover additional therapeutic targets or identify other classes of drugs that may be useful to clinicians and patients. This literature review aims to unravel the mysteries by which empagliflozin reduces cardiovascular death, cardiovascular events, and heart failure hospitalization in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Three researchers conducted the data collection. We incorporated research that used human models, animal models, patients with diabetes, and patients without diabetes. Pathology, pathophysiology, metabolism, physiology, empagliflozin, heart failure, and cardiovascular were the search terms used to probe the mesh database on PubMed. This study showed that the mechanisms by which empagliflozin could lead to positive clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) are as follows: down-regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling (mTORC), decreasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium loss, increasing cytosolic calcium loss, inducing electrolyte-free osmotic diuresis, improving fuel efficiency, and protecting the endothelial glycocalyx. These findings were inconsistent, with no generally accepted hypotheses within the scientific community. Hence we conclude that further research is required to determine the function of Empagliflozin in heart failure and the degree to which theaforementioned mechanisms of action contribute to cardiac protection.

Scientific literature on neglected tropical diseases: a bibliometric analysis

ABSTRACT Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of diseases mainly affecting people in low- and middle-income Countries. The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on NTDs. Using the MeSH database, we quantified the number of publications on MEDLINE targeting each NTD, which were published from 1 January 1999 to 31 January 2019. In order to weight the number of publications targeting a given NTD according to the total number of publications/year, we calculated a Yearly Publication Index (YPI) for each NTD/year. Linear regression was used to determine if there was a significant increase or decrease of YPI over time. In order to weight the number of publications according to disease burden (expressed in Disability-adjusted life years – DALYs) we calculated a DALYs-weighted Publication Index (DWPI) for each NTD. The highest absolute number of publications focused on leishmaniasis, dengue and Chagas disease; the lowest on tungiasis, dracunculiasis, chromoblastomycosis and yaws. The number of publications significantly increased for chikungunya, chromoblastomycosis, dengue, leishmaniasis, snakebite envenoming, and yaws. It significantly decreased for ascariasis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, onchocerciasis. Leprosy had the highest DWPI (i.e. the highest number of publication considering the burden of disease), followed by Chagas disease; lymphatic filariasis had the lowest, followed by onchocerciasis. Overall, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and ascariasis presented the worst scenario, with both very few publications compared with their disease burden and a decreasing number of publications.

Comparative Analysis of the Tibial Component Migration After Cemented and Uncemented Total Knee Arthroplasty with a Hydroxyapatite Coating in Two, Five, and Ten Years: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective This study evaluated and compared the tibial component migration in cemented and uncemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with no hydroxyapatite coating 2, 5, and 10 years after surgery. Methods This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) based on PubMed and MeSH database queries from June to July 2022. Results The meta-analysis included eight randomized clinical studies evaluating 668 knees undergoing TKA. The maximum total point motion (MTPM) in cemented TKAs was higher in 5 years, with a mean value of 0.67 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52 to 0.87). Uncemented TKAs also presented higher mean MTPM in 5 years (1 mm; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.22). Uncemented coated ATKs had a higher mean MTPM in 10 years (1.30 mm; 95% CI, 0.70 to 2.39). MTPM was statistically similar in the short- and long-term for cemented and uncemented techniques, with a standardized mean difference of -0.65 (95% CI, -1.65 to 0.35). Conclusion Tibial component migration in TKA was statistically similar at 2, 5, and 10 years in cemented and uncemented techniques, either with or without coating. However, due to the scarce literature, further studies are required with a longer follow-up time.

LGR5 As a Potential Therapeutic Target for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Breast cancer is the world's most common malignancy. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the associated mortality rate is still high. Tumor initiating cells known as cancer stem cells with unique abilities are suspected responsible for therapy failure and poor prognosis. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is a cancer stem cell marker that promotes aggressive features in breast cancer cells. So, the aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate LGR5 as a therapeutic target for breast cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using databases of Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. We searched these databases with LGR5 and Breast Cancer and related keywords based on the mesh database until Oct12, 2021. All studies that reported the rate of LGR5 high expression with Immunohistochemistry in breast cancer patients were included in this review. We used the STATA and random effect models for data analysis. Finally, 7 studies including 2632 breast cancer samples were studied. The pooled prevalence of LGR5 high expression in breast cancer was 48.6 % (CI95%: 40.5-56.7%, I2=0.0) and in triple negative was 48.6% (CI95%: 38.4-58.7%, I2= 0.0). Our findings show that the rate of LGR5 high expression in breast cancer in general and especially in triple-negative was considerable and it seems that this is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Hyperglycemia and Glycemic Variability in Hospitalized Patients and its Impacts on Morbidity and Mortality: An Integrative Literature Review

The constant change in plasma glucose is related to increased mortality, morbidity, length of stay and complications in patients in the hospital context. Dysglycemia increases the risk of infections, thrombosis and leads to slower wound healing. The main objective of this work was to carry out a literature review of the literature regarding the assessment and management of glycemic variability in hospitalized patients. An electronic search was performed for articles published in journals indexed through the PubMed database, using the following combination of descriptors verified in the MESH database: “Glycemic Control” OR “Blood Glucose” AND “Patient Readmission”, AND “Inpatients” OR “Hospitalization”. Studies published between January and September 2022 were admitted. People with diabetes mellitus (DM) are more likely to be hospitalized due to comorbidities and complications specific to their disease. Hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients, even in the absence of a known diagnosis of diabetes, is associated with higher mortality and longer mean length of stay.

Nutritional Effects of Adding Quinoa to Bread: A Systematic Review

Context: Considering the importance of bread as a staple food in many countries around the world, including Iran, This study aimed to assess the nutritional values (i.e., protein content, fat content, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant activity) of quinoa-wheat bread compared to simple wheat bread. Evidence Acquisition: A search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as Google Scholar search engine. After screening the title and full-text of the articles, data were extracted by two independent researchers; a third researcher interfered in case of disagreement. Keywords, including “Chenopodium quinoa”, “Quinoa”, and “bread”, were obtained from the MeSh database and the manuscripts of related articles. All papers written in English language, which were published before March 2022, were selected for this review. Results: Among 159 initially extracted articles, 38 were selected by screening the titles and removing duplicates and irrelevant papers. Eleven articles were finally included in this review. Overall, the results showed significantly higher protein, fat, and fiber content in quinoa-wheat bread compared to simple wheat bread. Conclusions: Based on the results, the addition of quinoa flour could promote the health benefits of bread by increasing the protein, lipid, fiber, and micronutrient contents. It is suggested to optimize the nutritional value of the Iranian’s staple food by adding quinoa flour to wheat bread.

The pathophysiology of postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC): Possible role for persistent inflammation.

To review data that address the relative importance of inflammation in the pathophysiology spectrum of PASC and to address how this would impact diagnosis and approach to therapy in patients identified as having such inflammatory abnormalities. A review of public databases, including PubMed, MeSH, NLM catalog, and clinical trial databases such as clinicaltrials.gov. The literature supports a prominent role for various forms and types of inflammation in the pathophysiologic spectrum of PASC. Such inflammation can be persistent ant CoV-2-specific responses, new onset autoimmune responses, or a loss of normal immunoregulation resulting in widespread, sustained inflammatory pathologies that can affect both broad constitutional symptoms (such as fatigue, neurocognitive dysfunction, and anxiety/depression) and organ-specific dysfunction and/or failure. PASC is a significant clinical entity with similarities to and differences from other postviral syndromes. Significant research efforts are ongoing to better understand specific aberrant inflammatory pathways present in individual patients for the purpose of developing and implementing effective therapies and ultimately prophylaxis strategies to prevent the progression of COVID-19 as well as likely future viral illnesses and pandemics.

Comparison of the incisions used in neck dissection for oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review

Oral cancers are a significant disease group with more than 404,000 new cases worldwide in 2002. The most common cancer of the oral cavity is the squamous cell carcinoma; constituting 95%. The 5-year survival is around 50%. Surgery can be combined with any combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Spread of the tumour to the cervical nodes is an early and consistent event in the natural history. The extent of cervical involvement is reflected in the staging of the tumour and has prognostic implications. Surgical dissection of the cervical lymph nodes at risk of metastasis may be undertaken as part of the management of the primary tumour. This may be accomplished by classic radical neck dissections, supra ohmohyoid neck dissection, selective neck dissection etc. The aim of the present review is to compare the clinical efficacy, the postoperative complications and the aesthetic outcome of the various incisions used in neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma. A total of six comparative studies and randomized control studies were included in this systematic review, out of a total of 175 articles yield following the search strategy, from PubMed and Mesh databases. The incisions were compared for access, healing and cosmetic outcome. Trifurcate incisions (‘Y’ incision) were found to have the maximum incidence of wound dehiscence. The apron incision has no reported wound dehiscence and has been described as a robust flap. As far as cosmetics and access as a whole is concerned the reversed hockey stick incision is superior.