Publications In PubMed Research Articles

Indexing status of orthodontic research published in presumed predatory journals: a bibliometric study.

To examine the frequency and features of presumed predatory orthodontic publications. We also aimed to assess the presence of these types of publications in established scientific databases. Six electronic databases were searched to identify orthodontic articles published in 2022 in English. Equal numbers of articles from legitimate (n = 159) and suspect or predatory journals (n = 159) were considered. Data regarding journal, article and author characteristics were obtained. The indexing status of the publications in PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCOhost was evaluated. The total number of databases that the article was indexed in, level of evidence, origin of first author and research funding were recorded. Univariable ordinal regression analyses were performed to explore potential association between article legitimacy and indexing status. The majority of studies in predatory journals were found in non-specialized journals (79.6%). Scopus was the most porous database, indexing over half of predatory and suspect articles (56%). In Web of Science (Core collection), the distribution of articles across different indexing categories varied (SCIE; 16.4%, ESCI; 30.2%). In contrast, only 8.2% of these articles appeared in Medline. Articles in legitimate journals tended to have higher level of evidence and were indexed in more databases in comparison to predatory/suspect publications (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.37-1.64; p<0.01). The origin of the first author was a significant predictor for journal legitimacy (p<0.001). A high proportion of orthodontic publications appear in presumed predatory and suspect journals which are in turn often indexed in trustworthy databases. Medline was the least susceptible to predatory publications, while Web of Science and Scopus were more prone. Predatory and suspect journals are increasingly prevalent with the penetration of these journals into recognized databases. We were able to identify associated trends.

Digital health and some thematic shifts in bioethics in academic publications after the pandemic

Abstract Background Digital health (DH) presents vast opportunities, but also dynamic shift in viewpoints, which is reflected in academic works. Since DH concerns patient data, a major issue is complying with the bioethical principles, and ensuring patients’ privacy and security. The aim of this research is to explore avenues, in which ethics and privacy are reflected in DH, especially in terms of research, legislation, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain applications in medicine and public health. Methods Literature search for full text publications in PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect focused on ethics and privacy in DH in the period 2019-2023 found 325 articles in English authored by academicians. Six thematic categories were identified: ethics (fundamental principles; ethics in using novel DH tools); privacy (in use of apps/wearables; as a challenge/barrier to DH interventions/technologies); ethics/privacy in: DH research (data gathering, use, sharing); policy and legislation (for DH applications); AI and blockchains (in medicine and public health). Results Articles were from 32 countries: USA-24.3%; UK-13.5%; Germany-7.7%; Canada-7.4%; Australia-6.7%; Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland-4.7% each; China, India-3.0% each and 20.3% from 22 other countries; 86.5% in medical/DH journals. Only 10.2% were published in 2019; 17.8% - 2020; 19.4% - 2021; 27.1% - 2022 and 25.5% - 2023. Privacy was discussed in 26.5%; ethics-23.7%; research-19.4%; AI-15.1%; policy and legislation-9.5% and blockchains-5.5% of the articles. The publication activity of all six categories increased after the unfold of the pandemic in 2020. In 2023 publications for ethics (13%), privacy (5.8%) and research (6.3%) decreased; for legislation (12.9%), AI (14.3%) and blockchains in healthcare (16.8%) increased. Conclusions The pandemic and its aftermath present a change in academic interest. Traditional ethical fundaments in DH slightly lose position in favor of top notch technologies and apt legislation. Key messages • The pandemic and modern technologies enforced new digital health applications. Further research will reveal the needs of AI and blockchain applications respecting privacy and the ethical principles. • Besides existing legislation and regulations, in order to catch up with the dynamic developments in DH, the legal base needs to become more flexible. Technologies change, privacy importance does not.

Application of cryoanalgesia for accelerated rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: review

Cryoanalgesia is a modern and increasingly popular method of treating acute and chronic pain. This method involves percutaneous injection of a cryoprobe exposed to extremely low temperatures to disrupt nerves. This review is an attempt to summarize and evaluate the available data on the benefits and safety of cryoneurolysis as a method of perioperative analgesia in total knee replacement (TEC), to answer the question whether the perioperative use of cryoanalgesia really contributes to accelerated rehabilitation of patients after TEC. The authors conducted a search for publications in PubMed (Medline) and eLibrary databases.Ru, Google Scholar, Springer Library, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library for the period from 2014 to 2024, 15 articles on the use of cryoanalgesia in TEC were found and analyzed. The data obtained were summarized and interpreted. Based on the results of the analysis, the authors of the review concluded that cryoanalgesia is a promising method for providing long-term perioperative pain control as part of multimodal analgesia schemes. Early rehabilitation of the patient after surgery may be a clinically significant indicator in favor of cryoneurolysis. However, the significant risk of systematic error and clinical heterogeneity of the existing literature studying this problem precludes the possibility of reliable quantification of any performance indicators presented in the existing literature. Future research should provide transparent, unbiased reporting on treatment parameters and outcomes to improve scientific reproducibility.

Myelodysplasia Rehabilitation in Children: a Review

INTRODUCTION. 1.5 thousand children with myelodysplasia (MD) are born in Russia every year. To improve the quality of life, most of them need lifelong medical supervision and rehabilitation. The topic of medical rehabilitation in MD in children is poorly covered. AIM. To search and analysis published data on the rehabilitation of children with MD identify the most effective methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The collection and analysis of publications on this topic from the PubMed and eLibrary databases published from 2014 to 2024 was carried out. Earlier fundamental works on secondary disorders in myelodysplasia and Spina bifida were also included in the review. A total of 512 publications in PubMed and 1096 publications in eLibrary were analyzed, 584 of them were unique. Publications of reviews, systematic reviews and clinical observations were included. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. Rehabilitation for MD in children is multidisciplinary in nature, a violation of the structure of the nervous system entails, already in utero, the formation of deformities of the musculoskeletal system, combined changes in the functioning of the lower urinary tract and intestines. It is known that rehabilitation started from an early age helps to master motor skills in a timely manner, contributes to the prevention of metabolic syndrome, contractures, pressure sores, urodynamic disorders and constipation. There are different approaches regarding the intensity of physical activity during the day and week, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), children should exercise for more than 60 minutes a day. Physical exercises should be carried out from the perspective of the concept of neuroplasticity and enhanced by the influence of magnetic stimulation, low-intensity laser, electromyostimulation, vibration therapy. It will be possible to effectively use acupuncture and massage. In addition, it is important to include urological and orthopedic care in medical rehabilitation from an early age. CONCLUSION. Due to the high disability, there is a question of effective methods for improving rehabilitation potential and improving the standard of living. Among the described methods, physiotherapy is distinguished, including therapeutic exercises, magnetic stimulation, low-intensity laser therapy, electromyostimulation, and ergotherapy. It is necessary to continue to study the effectiveness of the use of various physical factors in children with MD.

MeSH2Matrix: combining MeSH keywords and machine learning for biomedical relation classification based on PubMed

Biomedical relation classification has been significantly improved by the application of advanced machine learning techniques on the raw texts of scholarly publications. Despite this improvement, the reliance on large chunks of raw text makes these algorithms suffer in terms of generalization, precision, and reliability. The use of the distinctive characteristics of bibliographic metadata can prove effective in achieving better performance for this challenging task. In this research paper, we introduce an approach for biomedical relation classification using the qualifiers of co-occurring Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). First of all, we introduce MeSH2Matrix, our dataset consisting of 46,469 biomedical relations curated from PubMed publications using our approach. Our dataset includes a matrix that maps associations between the qualifiers of subject MeSH keywords and those of object MeSH keywords. It also specifies the corresponding Wikidata relation type and the superclass of semantic relations for each relation. Using MeSH2Matrix, we build and train three machine learning models (Support Vector Machine [SVM], a dense model [D-Model], and a convolutional neural network [C-Net]) to evaluate the efficiency of our approach for biomedical relation classification. Our best model achieves an accuracy of 70.78% for 195 classes and 83.09% for five superclasses. Finally, we provide confusion matrix and extensive feature analyses to better examine the relationship between the MeSH qualifiers and the biomedical relations being classified. Our results will hopefully shed light on developing better algorithms for biomedical ontology classification based on the MeSH keywords of PubMed publications. For reproducibility purposes, MeSH2Matrix, as well as all our source codes, are made publicly accessible at https://github.com/SisonkeBiotik-Africa/MeSH2Matrix.

THE ROLE OF INTERLEUKINS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: LITERATURE REVIEW

Relevance. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, which negatively affects the quality of life and significantly increases the risk of thrombosis, strokes and cardiovascular diseases. The pathogenesis of AF is a complex and multifactorial process in which inflammatory and immune mechanisms play an important role. In recent years, special attention has been paid to interleukins, cytokines that regulate the immune response, which may influence the development and maintenance of AF. The study of the role of interleukins in the pathogenesis of AF may provide new perspectives for understanding the mechanisms of the occurrence of this arrhythmia and the development of effective methods of its prevention and treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of interleukins on the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation and to identify possible mechanisms of their action. Methods. data concerning the role of interleukins in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation were analyzed during the analysis of scientific publications. A systematization of existing studies, including both clinical and experimental data that show a link between the levels of interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 and others) and the development of AF was performed. Search methods included analyzing publications in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases over the last ten years and using keywords related to interleukins and AF. Results. The results indicate that interleukins such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 and IL-18 play a significant role in the inflammatory processes associated with AF. Elevated levels of IL-6 correlate with worsening cardiac function and an increased likelihood of developing AF. In addition, IL-1 may contribute to myocardial remodeling, which is a key factor in the pathogenesis of AF. Other interleukins, such as IL-17, are also associated with inflammatory processes affecting cardiac electrical stability. Accumulating evidence suggests that interleukins can affect cellular hypertrophy and fibrosis, leading to changes in cardiac structure and contributing to the development of AF. The inclusion of interleukins in risk prediction models for the development of AF may improve preventive strategies and individualize the treatment of patients at risk. Conclusion. the analysis shows that interleukins play a key role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation by participating in inflammatory processes and abnormalities in cardiac electrophysiology. Further studies are needed to clarify their mechanisms of action and to develop new therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing interleukin levels and improving the prognosis of patients with AF

Pharmacological Treatment of Obesity: A Review of Current and Future Methods

Introduction and objective Obesity poses a significant public health challenge due to its association with an elevated risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality. While lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and increased physical activity remain cornerstone interventions in obesity management, pharmacological treatments have emerged as an adjunctive approach to address this complex condition. The review aims to compare the effectiveness of current pharmacotherapy and show upcoming methods of treatment of obesity. Review methods The review was conducted by searching scientific publications in PubMed, Google Scholar, Clinicaltrials.gov, Summaries of Product Characteristics, URPL, FDA, and EMA databases. The articles on medications available in Poland for treating obesity and the latest clinical trials of upcoming drugs were analyzed, followed by a concise review of the collected data. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge Currently, in the Polish market, medications available for obesity treatment include orlistat, the combination of naltrexone and bupropion, liraglutide, tirzepatide, and available as part of the target import - semaglutide. Promising clinical trials are being conducted on further medications for weight reduction, including retatrutide, orforglipron, cagrilintide, and amycretin. Regrettably, new and effective medications due to their high cost and insufficient funding. Summary New pharmacotherapy options for obesity, particularly anti-diabetic medications, are rapidly advancing. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs have shown promising results in weight reduction, surpassing previous medications such as orlistat or naltrexone. Recent drugs offer weight loss ranging up to 25%. More studies are underway on novel and increasingly effective medications.

Effectiveness of Horticultural Therapy in Older Patients With Dementia: A Meta-Analysis Systemic Review.

Our study aims to assess the effectiveness of horticultural therapy in improving outcomes in older patients with dementia. A systematic review and meta-analysis. The included studies comprised randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that aimed to assess the effectiveness of horticultural therapy on cognitive function in older patients with dementia. The study design and data extraction were independently conducted by two investigators, who also evaluated the risk of bias using RoB 2.0. The meta-analysis was carried out using Stata 15.1 software. On November 2023, we searched relevant English and Chinese publications in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases. The meta-analysis included a total of 9 RCTs, involving 655 older patients diagnosed with dementia. The findings from these studies demonstrated that horticultural therapy had a significant positive impact on various aspects of the patients' well-being when compared to conventional care. Specifically, it was found to improve cognitive function scores, alleviate symptoms of depression, enhance daily activities and enhance overall quality of life. When conducting a subgroup analysis, it was observed that horticultural therapy had a statistically significant effect on cognitive function in older patients with dementia when the intervention frequency was at least two times per week. Furthermore, interventions with a duration of less than 6 months were found to be more effective than those lasting 6 months or longer. Additionally, outdoor horticultural therapy was found to be superior to indoor interventions. Moreover, structured interventions were observed to yield better outcomes compared to non-structured interventions. More high-quality studies are needed to further corroborate these findings due to the low quality of the included studies. Horticultural therapy has been found to have a significantly positive impact on the cognitive function, depression status, ADL, and quality of life of older patients with dementia. We provide references for non-pharmacologic treatment of older patients with dementia. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: This study aimed to measure the efficacy of horticultural therapy in older patients with dementia across four dimensions: cognitive function, depression levels, daily living activities and overall quality of life. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: In older patients with dementia, horticultural therapy has been proven to have a significant positive impact on cognitive function, depressive status, activities of daily living and quality of life. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: This study will inform non-pharmacological interventions for older patients with dementia worldwide. No Patient or Public Contribution.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BREAST CANCER IN THE ARAB REGION BETWEEN 1999 AND 2024: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Breast cancer (BC) poses a significant health challenge in both developed and developing countries, with limited research in the Arab region compared to the West. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive perspective on breast cancer incidence and mortality trends between 1999 and 2024, considering diverse socio-cultural and economic factors.A thorough literature review was conducted using sources such as PubMed, Medline, and recent WHO publications. Findings revealed that the incidence of breast cancer in the Arab world increased gradually during the period studied. However, the incidence of breast cancer among women in the Arab region was lower than the global average, and the mortality rate among women with breast cancer in the Arab region was lower than the global average. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates have increased since 1990.The country-specific data showed that the more developed Arab countries tended to have a higher burden of breast cancer. Factors such as urbanization, increased life expectancy, and adoption of westernized lifestyles have been associated with the observed increase in breast cancer rates. Despite promising breast cancer screening initiatives, most Arab countries lack a structured universal screening program and participation rates are very low.The increasing incidence and burden of BC in the Arab region is remarkable, especially considering the limited resources of developing countries in this region. Appropriate strategies such as expansion of screening programs and careful resource management are needed to effectively manage the burden of BC.

Ethical Considerations in Infodemic Management: Systematic Scoping Review.

During health emergencies, effective infodemic management has become a paramount challenge. A new era marked by a rapidly changing information ecosystem, combined with the widespread dissemination of misinformation and disinformation, has magnified the complexity of the issue. For infodemic management measures to be effective, acceptable, and trustworthy, a robust framework of ethical considerations is needed. This systematic scoping review aims to identify and analyze ethical considerations and procedural principles relevant to infodemic management, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of these practices and increasing trust in stakeholders performing infodemic management practices with the goal of safeguarding public health. The review involved a comprehensive examination of the literature related to ethical considerations in infodemic management from 2002 to 2022, drawing from publications in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Policy documents and relevant material were included in the search strategy. Papers were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria, and core thematic areas were systematically identified and categorized following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We analyzed the literature to identify substantive ethical principles that were crucial for guiding actions in the realms of infodemic management and social listening, as well as related procedural ethical principles. In this review, we consider ethical principles that are extensively deliberated upon in the literature, such as equity, justice, or respect for autonomy. However, we acknowledge the existence and relevance of procedural practices, which we also consider as ethical principles or practices that, when implemented, enhance the efficacy of infodemic management while ensuring the respect of substantive ethical principles. Drawing from 103 publications, the review yielded several key findings related to ethical principles, approaches, and guidelines for practice in the context of infodemic management. Community engagement, empowerment through education, and inclusivity emerged as procedural principles and practices that enhance the quality and effectiveness of communication and social listening efforts, fostering trust, a key emerging theme and crucial ethical principle. The review also emphasized the significance of transparency, privacy, and cybersecurity in data collection. This review underscores the pivotal role of ethics in bolstering the efficacy of infodemic management. From the analyzed body of literature, it becomes evident that ethical considerations serve as essential instruments for cultivating trust and credibility while also facilitating the medium-term and long-term viability of infodemic management approaches.

Mechanisms and Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicines in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in elderly men, the incidence of which gradually increases with age and leads to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are widely used for the treatment of BPH in China and some other countries. To explore the molecular mechanisms of CHMs for BPH, we conducted a review based on peer-reviewed English-language publications in PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception to December 31, 2023. This article primarily reviewed 32 papers on the use of CHMs and its active compounds in the treatment of BPH, covering animal and cell experiments, and identified relevant mechanisms of action. The results suggest that the mechanisms of action of CHMs in treating BPH may involve the regulation of sex hormones, downregulation of cell growth factors, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, inhibition of cell proliferation, and promotion of apoptosis. CHMs also exhibit α-blocker-like effects, with the potential to relax urethral smooth muscle and alleviate LUTS. Additionally, we also reviewed 4 clinical trials and meta-analyses of CHMs for the treatment of BPH patients, which provided initial evidence of the safety and effectiveness of CHMs treatment. CHMs treatment for BPH shows advantages as a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway therapy, which can mitigate the severity of the disease, improve LUTS, and may become a reliable treatment option in the future.

Link Between PTSD and Autoimmune Diseases: A Path to Effective Treatment. Literature review

Introduction and Objective: PTSD is a psychiatric disorder associated with the experience of a traumatic event in the past. Changes in the immune system are presented as one of the mechanisms involved in its pathophysiology. The purpose of this review is to investigate the potential link between PTSD and autoimmune diseases, as well as to highlight the therapeutic implications. Review methods: The review is based on scientific publications in PubMed, Science Direct and NCBI databases. After an initial evaluation of the articles, primarily observational studies and meta-analyses on the relationship between PTSD and autoimmune diseases, the underlying pathophysiology, and new potential therapeutic options were selected. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: PTSD is associated with numerous changes in the immune and neuroendocrine systems. As a result, patients affected by the disorder are susceptible to developing somatic diseases, including autoimmune diseases. Numerous studies indicate a reciprocal effect on the increased risk and aggravation of symptoms for PTSD and autoimmune diseases due to certain similarities in pathophysiology. New treatment options for PTSD targeting the immune system with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs are currently being explored. Summary: This review article highlights the existing reciprocal relationship between PTSD and autoimmune diseases, which carries important clinical implications. The authors of the review emphasize the importance of better understanding the pathophysiology of PTSD and the early diagnosis and treatment of people with PTSD, as well as the need to develop new effective treatments for PTSD that can help reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases in people with the disorder. As suggested, treatment targeting the immune system may be an effective therapeutic option for patients with PTSD.

Incidence of contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia on long term follow-up after unilateral inguinal hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The repair of inguinal hernias is a common surgical procedure. Some patients will need a second operation after developing a metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH). The suggestion has been made to strengthen the contralateral side at the same time as primary unilateral surgery. In this systematic review we aim to determine how many adult patients with a unilateral inguinal hernia will develop a MCIH. This review was reported in line with PRISMA guidelines. We performed a literature review in PubMed Publisher, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library until May 2021, including articles reporting MCIH after unilateral inguinal hernia repair in adults. As outcome measure, the number of patients diagnosed with a MCIH was registered. A total of 19 articles with a total of 277,288 patients were included. The combined estimate for MCIH after meta-analysis equaled 8.3% (95% CI 7.1%-9.5%), with a high index of heterogeneity (I2 = 97.9%). A random-effects meta-regression was performed to obtain the percentage of MCIH as a function of median follow-up time. The percentage of MCIH at 3, 5 and 10years was estimated at 5.2%, 8.0% and 17.1%, respectively. We suggest that there is insufficient clinical evidence to support prophylactic contralateral repair in all patients. We propose a patient-specific approach in the decision to perform prophylactic repair, taking into account potential risk factors for hernia development, type of surgical approach, and general risk factors for chronic postoperative inguinal pain. More long-term prospective data are needed to guide the decision for prophylactic contralateral mesh placement.

Machine Learning Meets Physics-based Modeling: A Mass-spring System to Predict Protein-ligand Binding Affinity.

Computational assessment of the energetics of protein-ligand complexes is a challenge in the early stages of drug discovery. Previous comparative studies on computational methods to calculate the binding affinity showed that targeted scoring functions outperform universal models. The goal here is to review the application of a simple physics-based model to estimate the binding. The focus is on a mass-spring system developed to predict binding affinity against cyclin-dependent kinase. Publications in PubMed were searched to find mass-spring models to predict binding affinity. Crystal structures of cyclin-dependent kinases found in the protein data bank and two web servers to calculate affinity based on the atomic coordinates were employed. One recent study showed how a simple physics-based scoring function (named Taba) could contribute to the analysis of protein-ligand interactions. Taba methodology outperforms robust physics-based models implemented in docking programs such as AutoDock4 and Molegro Virtual Docker. Predictive metrics of 27 scoring functions and energy terms highlight the superior performance of the Taba scoring function for cyclin- dependent kinase. The recent progress of machine learning methods and the availability of these techniques through free libraries boosted the development of more accurate models to address protein-ligand interactions. Combining a naïve mass-spring system with machine-learning techniques generated a targeted scoring function with superior predictive performance to estimate pKi.

A ecological study of galamsey activities in Ghana and their physiological toxicity

Background: Small-Scale Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), locally known as "galamsey," has emerged as a pervasive issue in Ghana characterized with environmental degradation, land and water resource depletion, health hazards for miners, social and economic impacts. This comprehensive review explores the ecological and health effects of galamsey operations across different regions of the country. Methods: The study employs a systematic analysis method to examine the available literature from 2000 to 2023. Various academic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, and relevant government publications, were searched to gather relevant information. Findings: The review reveals that galamsey has had significant ecological consequences, including deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, and soil degradation, which have adversely affected Ghana's natural beauty. These environmental challenges pose a threat to local ecosystems and resources, particularly in the Ashanti, Western, and Central regions of Ghana. Moreover, the study highlights the physiological health issues faced by galamsey miners, such as accidents, physical strain, mental strain, kidney problems, respiratory disorders, and metabolic diseases. The presence of elevated levels of mercury, cyanide, arsenic, and cadmium in both the environment and the human body are directly linked to ASGM in Ghana. About seventy percent (70%) of the houses in ASGM community relied on surface water, and all of the homes utilized the fields or bush as their main toilet. Conclusion: Implementing remote sensing, geospatial technologies, promoting clean mining technologies, integrating environmental conservation, occupational safety and public health awareness are key technical and innovative measures to mitigate galamsey in Ghana. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study proposes an integrated approach to address the impacts of galamsey, combining remote sensing and geospatial technologies with public health and environmental conservation programs. The model can provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal impacts of ASGM and enable more targeted interventions.

Impact of physical exercise on behavioral and social features in individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Background and Study Aim. Physical exercise is linked with several physical and psychological health advantages. A range of investigations has revealed the presence of a significant association between physical exercise and indicative improvements in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This systematic review aims to update the literature about the impact of physical exercise interventions on social, behavioral, and other outcomes for individuals with ASD. Materials and Methods. The study design followed the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of electronic databases—PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Jane Publications—was performed from 2010 to December 2023. We searched for related research papers in English using keywords 'Autism Spectrum Disorder,' 'exercise,' and 'physical activity. Results. This systematic review employed a four-stage screening process, which resulted in the inclusion of 18 trial studies. The intervention period varied from three to forty-eight weeks, with a frequency of 3-7 times per week. The results demonstrated that physical exercise had a substantial positive impact on communication, social interaction, and motor skills in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Conclusions. This review supports physical exercise as a powerful tool in decreasing stereotypical behaviors, and in improving social communication and motor skills in subjects diagnosed with ASD. Regular physical exercise therapy can have a greater effect on improving the quality of life for ASD subjects.

Midcarpal Arthrodesis with or without Excision of Triquetrum: A Systematic Review

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this systematic review is to compare the clinical outcomes of midcarpal arthrodesis with triquetrum excision against midcarpal fusion without the excision of triquetrum performed using modern osteosynthesis technology. Methods A systematic review of publications in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review was conducted. The studies that utilized osteosynthesis techniques other than Kirshner wire, with at least 10 patients, and had a minimum one-year follow-up period in English language were included. The quality of studies were evaluated using validated tools for assessing observational studies. Union rate, functional outcomes and revision/complication rates were collected and analyzed. Results A meta-analysis was not possible. Based on pooled data the flexion-extension arc improved by 6 degrees for midcarpal arthrodesis group with triquetrum excision, but decreased by 11 degrees in the group without. The radial-ulnar arc improved by 5 degrees in the triquetrum excision group, but decreased by 3 degrees in the triquetrum preserving group. Improvement in grip strength appears to be better in the triquetrum preserving group (10 kg as opposed to 1 kg), while there were no observable difference in pain score. Conclusions The literature lacked good comparison studies to examine the role of triquetrum excision in midcarpal fusion. While midcarpal fusion with triquetrum excision appeared to yield better ROM in the pooled data, studies with direct comparison of the two techniques are required to fill in the gap. Type of Study/Level of Evidence Therapeutic IV.

TIN-X version 3: update with expanded dataset and modernized architecture for enhanced illumination of understudied targets.

TIN-X (Target Importance and Novelty eXplorer) is an interactive visualization tool for illuminating associations between diseases and potential drug targets and is publicly available at newdrugtargets.org. TIN-X uses natural language processing to identify disease and protein mentions within PubMed content using previously published tools for named entity recognition (NER) of gene/protein and disease names. Target data is obtained from the Target Central Resource Database (TCRD). Two important metrics, novelty and importance, are computed from this data and when plotted as log(importance) vs. log(novelty), aid the user in visually exploring the novelty of drug targets and their associated importance to diseases. TIN-X Version 3.0 has been significantly improved with an expanded dataset, modernized architecture including a REST API, and an improved user interface (UI). The dataset has been expanded to include not only PubMed publication titles and abstracts, but also full-text articles when available. This results in approximately 9-fold more target/disease associations compared to previous versions of TIN-X. Additionally, the TIN-X database containing this expanded dataset is now hosted in the cloud via Amazon RDS. Recent enhancements to the UI focuses on making it more intuitive for users to find diseases or drug targets of interest while providing a new, sortable table-view mode to accompany the existing plot-view mode. UI improvements also help the user browse the associated PubMed publications to explore and understand the basis of TIN-X's predicted association between a specific disease and a target of interest. While implementing these upgrades, computational resources are balanced between the webserver and the user's web browser to achieve adequate performance while accommodating the expanded dataset. Together, these advances aim to extend the duration that users can benefit from TIN-X while providing both an expanded dataset and new features that researchers can use to better illuminate understudied proteins.

Navigating Fertility Preservation Options in Gynecological Cancers: A Comprehensive Review.

(1) Background: Currently, an increasing number of women postpone pregnancy beyond the age of 35. Gynecological cancers affect a significant proportion of women of reproductive age, necessitating the development of fertility preservation methods to fulfill family planning. Consequently, providing treatment options that preserve fertility in women diagnosed with gynecological cancers has become a crucial component of care for survivors. (2) Methods: We conducted an extensive search of relevant scientific publications in PubMed and Embase databases and performed a narrative review, including high-quality peer-reviewed research on fertility after being treated for gynecologic cancers, reporting pregnancy rates, birth rates, and pregnancy outcomes in cancer survivors as well as therapeutic options which partially preserve fertility and methods for obtaining a pregnancy in survivors. (3) Discussion: The medicine practiced today is focused on both treating the neoplasm and preserving the quality of life of the patients, with fertility preservation being an important element of this quality. This leads to an improved quality of life, allowing these women to become mothers even in the seemingly adverse circumstances posed by such a pathology. However, although there are guidelines on female fertility preservation in the context of neoplasms, an analysis shows that physicians do not routinely consider it and do not discuss these options with their patients. (4) Conclusions: Advancements in medicine have led to a better understanding and management of gynecological neoplasms, resulting in increased survival rates. Once the battle against these neoplasms is won, the issue of preserving the quality of life for these women arises, with fertility preservation being an important aspect for women who have not yet fulfilled their family planning desires at the time of diagnosis. It is important for patients to be informed about the available options for fertility preservation and to be encouraged to make informed decisions in collaboration with their medical team. Standardized recommendations for onco-fertility into guidelines should be taken into consideration in the future.

Quality of life and associated factors among people with epilepsy in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundEpilepsy is a global health and economic burden with major problems that have an impact on physical, psychological, and social activities. Quality of life (QoL) is often disturbed and can be influenced by many factors, like anti-seizure medication side effects, the sociocultural environment, and various disease-related factors. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an overview of the most recent information available regarding the pooled prevalence of poor quality of life and associated factors among adult people with epilepsy in Ethiopia.MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) is an appropriate set of guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with CRD42024527914. To find publications for the systematic review and meta-analysis, we used both manual and electronic searches. The publications were searched by PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and other grey publications were searched by Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for cross-sectional study quality assessment was employed to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies included in this review. The data was extracted in Microsoft Excel, and then it was exported into STATA 11.0 for analysis. A funnel plot and an objective examination of Egger’s regression test were used to check for publication bias.ResultsWe have included 7 studies conducted in Ethiopia with 2123 study participants, of whom 1163 (54.78%) were male individuals, and 1196 (56.34%) of the participants were living without marriage (either single, divorced, or widowed). The pooled prevalence of poor quality of life among people with epilepsy in Ethiopia is 45.07 (95% CI: 39.73–50.42%). Further, in subgroup analysis regarding the assessment tool of poor quality of life of people with epilepsy, QOLIE-31 accounted for 50.05% (95%CI: 46.65–53.45) and WHO QOL BREF accounted for 39.72% (95%CI: 27.67–51.78). Among the associated factors, being unable to read and write, anxiey and depression were significantly linked to the quality of life of people with epilepsy.ConclusionThis review found that there was a high pooled prevalence of poor quality of life related to people with epilepsy in Ethiopia. This study may provide further information to concerned bodies that do early screening and manage the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy. Also, screening and intervention for anxiety and depression problems should be considered in regular epilepsy care management.