Updated Literature Review Research Articles

De Novo RB1 Germline Variant in Retinoblastoma with Two Subsequent Independent Neoplasms: Case Report and Literature Review

Variants in the RB1 gene are associated with retinoblastoma (RB) development, and their presence in germline cells considerably increases the risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) in RB survivors. We report a female patient with bilateral RB who developed two SMNs in less than ten years, with a de novo pathogenic nonsense variant in RB1 [NM_000321.3:c.306T>A, p.(Cys102*)] in heterozygosity. The updated literature review of similar cases of SMN in patients with a previous diagnosis of RB reveals a wide range in both the type of subsequent malignancy and the age at which these SMNs develop. In addition, we identified only three cases with two SMNs following RB diagnosis, with at least one of these being an EWS. This case broadens the clinical and genetic landscape of RB, demonstrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in these patients, and highlights genetic diagnosis as a mandatory feature for management.

Red cell specifications for blood group matching in patients with haemoglobinopathies: An updated systematic review and clinical practice guideline from the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines.

Red blood cell (RBC) antigen matching beyond ABO and RhD is commonly recommended for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassaemia. We present an updated systematic literature review to inform evidence-based guidelines on RBC matching. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to develop recommendations. Six new observational studies (4 prospective, 2 retrospective) were identified. The six studies reported on 583 patients in total, including cross-over designs, with sample sizes from 10 to 343. Studies were heterogeneous, utilising varying degrees of RBC matching and different definitions for 'extended' matching. All reported on alloimmunisation. One study reported on molecular matching. The reported prevalence of alloimmunisation using limited matching was 0%-50% and with extended matching was 0%-24%. Eighty-two patients were alloimmunised before study entry. The risk of bias across studies was moderate to critical. The guideline panel recommends that ABO, RhDCcEe, and K-compatible RBCs are selected for individuals with SCD and thalassaemia, even in the absence of alloantibodies, and that RBCs which are antigen-negative to already existing clinically significant antibodies are chosen. There is a need for comparative research to define the benefit, impact, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of extended RBC matching strategies to prevent alloimmunisation.

Abstract 4138603: Adult-onset Kawasaki Disease: An Updated Review of the English-Language Literature from 1980 Through 2023

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a pan-vasculitis that primarily affects children and rarely adults. Available data on adult-onset KD are based on case reports and case series, both of which are limited by small sizes. We aimed to characterize the epidemiology, presentation, hospital course, and outcomes of adult-onset KD published in the English literature from 1980 through 2023. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and included published articles with a diagnosis of KD in patients age ≥18 years. We searched PubMed and Google scholar for case reports/series published in English using the keywords “adult”, “Kawasaki disease”, and “mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome”. We extracted data from individual articles onto an Excel spreadsheet for analysis. Outcomes of interest were the demographic characteristics of patients, clinical presentation and hospital course, management, and complications. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 137 patients from 29 countries were included in this study. The majority were male (90/137, 64.9%; M:F ratio 1.8) and the median age was 25 years (range, 18-68). The median time to clinical presentation was 5 days (range, 4-60). The main signs and symptoms were fever (95.7%), skin rash (92.9%), conjunctivitis (89.3%), extremity changes (84.3%), oral changes (85.7%), and cervical lymphadenopathy (73.7%). The majority of the patients had no co-morbidities (125/137, 91.2%). EKG changes were not reported in 48 patients (35%). In the remaining 89, 26 (29.2%) had normal EKG or sinus tachycardia, 9 (10.1%) had ST segment elevation, and 9 (10.1%) had arrythmias or abnormal EKGs. Pharmacotherapy included IVIG (80/137, 58.4%), Aspirin (105/137, 76.6%), steroids (31/137, 22.6%) and antibiotics (68/137, 49.6%). For complications, 18.2% (25/137) had aneurysms, 8% (11/137) had myocardial infarction, 10.9% (15/137) had myocarditis, 10% had pericarditis/pericardial effusion, and 10.9% (15/137) had KD shock syndrome. The median length of stay was 14 days (range, 1-60 days). Three patients (2%) died from KD. Conclusion: Adult-onset KD is rare and is associated with significant cardiovascular complications. Clinicians should have high index of suspicion for prompt diagnoses and initiate appropriate treatment to improve outcomes.

O PAPEL DO GESTOR NAS ORGANIZAÇÕES: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

The theme of this study is the role of the manager today, due to changes in organizational culture that require greater capacity: leadership, motivation, spirituality, mastery of interpersonal relationships between the manager and his/her employees, in addition to the management of administrative, financial and human resources, in the constant struggle to promote greater productivity and benefits for the company and employees. The objective was to demonstrate the importance of the role of a manager for an organization to be efficient and remain competitive in the global market. Based on a review of updated literature, we sought to gather important data on business management and the role of the efficient manager. The deductive method with a qualitative approach and exploratory documentary research technique were used. The sample selection was based on 15 articles relevant to the object of study, to subsequently perform an analysis of these data and develop the theoretical framework. The research corroborated that an efficient manager must have leadership mastery, the ability to motivate his/her team, the ability to motivate, among other attributes. It is hoped that this work, with updated data, will serve as a reference for academics and professionals in the area of ​​Administration.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab and Other Biologics in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Updated Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Biologic treatments have made complete skin clearance in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis a real possibility. Although clinical trials demonstrated the superiority of bimekizumab over secukinumab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab, direct comparisons with other biologics are not available. This systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to evaluate the 1-year efficacy and safety of bimekizumab versus other biologic systemic therapies for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. We conducted an SLR to retrieve published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PsycINFO on 13 January 2022. Two NMA types were used to analyse the long-term achievement of 100% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI100): (1) NMA of cumulative clinical benefits, based on the area under the curve, from week0 to 52; (2) multinomial NMA at weeks44‒60. Binomial NMA was used to evaluate long-term serious adverse events (SAEs). The SLR identified 38 RCTs, of which 19 were included in the NMA. Bimekizumab 320mg administered every 4weeks to week16 then every 8weeks (Q4W/Q8W) showed a greater cumulative average number of days of PASI100 response compared with all other biologics. These differences were statistically significant versus all biologics, except risankizumab 150mg. The multinomial NMA demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 inhibitors were the most efficacious treatments. No significant differences were found in long-term occurrence of SAEs. Bimekizumab 320mg Q4W/Q8W was superior to most other treatments in maintaining complete skin clearance during the first year of treatment. It demonstrated a greater cumulative average number of days with completely clear skin while displaying a comparable safety profile compared with all other biologics.

The Association of Sinusitis with Central Skull Base Osteomyelitis: A Systematic Review

We aim to provide an updated and comprehensive review of the current literature on the clinical profile and treatment options of CSBO caused by sinusitis. Three databases, Pubmed, Embase and Scopus, were searched from inception until 2 October 2022. Titles and abstracts were used for the first stage of study selection; subsequently, full texts were screened for final inclusion. Nine studies were included, with eight case reports and one case series. Patients ranged between 33 and 75 years old, with four females and four males total in the case reports. In the case series, there were 14 patients with a mean age of 62 years old. Patients with CSBO secondary to sinusitis often present with non-specific symptoms which may mimic other pathologies of the head and neck. A high index of suspicion for CSBO is important in the presence of an unremitting headache or cranial nerve palsy. Treatment options include culture-directed long-term antibiotics and surgery. The role of surgery in these patients, however, needs to be investigated more thoroughly. We believe that more large-cohort observational studies assessing the association between sinusitis and CSBO should be performed to further analyze and evaluate this topic.

Customized Genioplasty and Advantages of 3D Virtual Planning: An Updated Literature Review.

Genioplasty is a surgical technique that modifies the projection of the chin in three dimensions to achieve symmetry and facial harmonization. Virtual 3D planning is increasingly used, supplanting the conventional surgical technique due to the precise and predictable results obtained.The definition of the objective of the study was first carried out using the PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) question method. Posteriorly, an updated literature review was carried out in the "PubMed" database using the keywords "Genioplasty and Virtual 3D Planning," obtaining 11 articles for the study with the objective of defining the advantages and disadvantages of performing a virtually planned genioplasty, comparing it with the conventional technique.In the results, it is observed that virtually planned genioplasty presents greater precision, a reduction in surgical time, and a lower rate of complications than the conventional technique. Virtual planning using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology presents good reproducibility in the patient with <2 mm variations between what was planned and what was obtained postoperatively, with statistically significant results (p < 0.001).In conclusion, virtually planned genioplasty with customized cutting guides and osteosynthesis plates achieves very precise surgery results with good reproducibility, reducing surgical time, intraoperative complications, and the difficulty of the surgical technique.

Supplementation and Mitigating Cognitive Decline in Older Adults With or Without Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review.

This systematic literature review aims to answer the question of how micronutrients might influence the development and progression of dementia. In the present work, we focused on an overview of an updated review of relevant literature published in the last two decades. This review aims to delineate the relationship between micronutrient supplementation and cognitive decline in older subjects. In carrying out this review, we followed PRISMA, and our literature search was performed on PubMed. This systematic review includes only primary studies that have investigated the efficacy of nutritional interventions for the prevention of dementia and improvement of cognitive function in subjects aged 65 years or older with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer's disease (AD). A gross heterogeneity of studies forbids the possibility of a direct comparison of the results. A review of the inclusion criteria and restrictions has been conducted to check the validity and reliability of the results. In this review, thirty-three primary studies were included. Results have shown that supplementation with vitamin D, probiotics, and PUFAs would most likely reduce cognitive decline, dementia, or AD compared with vitamins A, B, C, and E, which were seen to be relatively ineffective. Of note, when considering vitamin B supplementation, positive effects were only observed in non-aspirin users having high ω-3 fatty acid (ω-3 FA) plasma levels. In some cases, however, there were genotypic differences in subjects in response to vitamin B supplementation.

Little-known Saniculeae genera: phytochemical studies and pharmaceutical activities

AbstractThis work initiates the original and updated literature review of the current state of research on the Saniculoideae subfamily, emphasizing the selected genera Saniculeae, namely Sanicula, Hacquetia, Astrantia, and Eryngium. Various parts of these plants, especially aerial parts and roots, have an immense range of medicinal uses in traditional medicine for a number of ailments. Phytochemical studies conducted on the Saniculeae species indicate that these plants synthesize metabolites belonging to diverse groups of compounds. These include triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, volatile organic compounds, polyacetylenes, ecdysteroids, phytosterols, lignans, betaines, carotenoids, and anthraquinones. Some of the structures of these compounds are rare in the plant kingdom. The pharmacological potential of the Saniculeae species as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antitumor, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, and neuroprotective agents has been explored in several studies. In addition, traditional medicinal uses have been discussed to provide a comprehensive picture of this subfamily. It is known that these plants have been used to treat dermatological diseases, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, inflammations, wound healing, and cancers. As far as the author is aware, this is the first study conducted on this subfamily. Therefore, this review paper is the first to examine the little-known Saniculeae genera regarding their phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics. Studies showed that Saniculeae genera synthesize distinct secondary metabolites. Therefore, further research should be conducted on the exploration of these metabolites. The pharmacological investigation should also validate their potential efficacy in treating specific ailments and support their inclusion in modern healthcare practices.

Seprafilm® and adhesive small bowel obstruction in colorectal/abdominal surgery: an updated systematic review

BackgroundThe efficacy of Seprafilm® in preventing clinically significant adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is controversial and deserves further review. The aim of this review was to assess the utility of Seprafilm® in preventing clinically significant adhesive bowel obstruction after abdominal operations, with separate focus on colorectal resections. The secondary aim was to provide an updated literature review on the safety profile of this implant.MethodsAn up-to-date systematic review was performed on the available literature between 2000 and 2023 on PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases. The main outcome measures were rates of adhesive bowel obstruction, as well as rates of intervention. The secondary outcome was the clinical safety profile of Seprafilm® as described in current literature.ResultsA total of 17 observational studies were included, accounting for 62,886 patients. Use of Seprafilm® was associated with a significant reduction in adhesive bowel obstruction events (OR 0.449, 95% CI: 0.3271 to 0.6122, p < 0.001), with preserved efficacy seen in laparoscopic cases. This did not translate into a reduced rate of reintervention. Clinicians should also be aware of isolated reports of a paradoxical inflammatory reaction leading to fluid collections after Seprafilm® use, although they appear uncommon.ConclusionSeprafilm® can be considered in select patients although further study to determine which patients will benefit most is required.

Updates to Incontinence After Prostate Treatment: AUA/GURS/SUFU Guideline (2024).

In 2023 the American Urological Association (AUA) requested an Update Literature Review (ULR) to incorporate new evidence generated since the 2019 publication of this Guideline. The resulting 2024 Guideline Amendment addresses updated recommendations to provide guidance for the care of patients with incontinence after prostate treatment (IPT). In 2023, the IPT Guideline was updated through the AUA amendment process in which newly published literature is reviewed and integrated into previously published guidelines. There were 82 studies of interest initially identified in preliminary abstract review. Following full-text review, 17 studies met inclusion criteria and ultimately informed the statements of interest. The Panel developed evidence- and consensus-based statements based on an updated review to provide guidance for the care of patients who experience IPT. These updates are detailed herein. As prostate treatments are refined, a decreasing incidence of incontinence is anticipated. This Guideline will require further review as the diagnostic and treatment options for patients with IPT continue to evolve.

Conceptual Model of the Patient Experience of IgAN: A Qualitative Literature Review and Model Update

Conceptual Model of the Patient Experience of IgAN: A Qualitative Literature Review and Model Update

Sustainable public procurement for supply chain resilience and competitive advantage

Public procurement plays a crucial role in national economies, as it represents a significant share of public spending. Governments can thus use this considerable purchasing power to promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic efficiency, while encouraging the supplier market to innovate and adopt more sustainable practices to remain competitive, and to generate more resilient supply chains. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the subject of sustainable public procurement (SPP), the documentation is abundant and diverse, hence the need for an updated literature review especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis period. This article consists of a systematic literature review focusing on articles with an empirical approach. The results reveal, among other things, 8 main research themes subdivided into 19 sub-themes, with a dominance of literature on the obstacles and incentives related to the implementation of SPP, while those concerning e-procurement and the analysis of the social life cycle remain relatively limited. The study also underscores the role of local economies and SMEs in public procurement strategies. It highlights a trend towards geographical diversification, indicating the global significance of SPP, with noticeable differences in adoption between developed and developing countries. The review calls for future research to focus on developing practical frameworks and tools for integrating sustainability more comprehensively in public procurement. The findings illuminate the pivotal role of SPP as a mechanism steering societies towards a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future, particularly in a post-pandemic world.

Effective Treatment of Primary Orbital Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Radiotherapy: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review Update

AbstractPrimary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the orbit is exceptionally rare, comprising only a small fraction of ocular tumours, with most cases being secondary to tumours originating from nearby structures or due to distant metastasis. We present a case of primary orbital SCC in a 60-year-old male, discussing its diagnostic workup, imaging findings, and multidisciplinary management. The patient underwent definitive radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy after being deemed inoperable. Without any severe treatment-related adverse event, the patient achieved a complete metabolic response at 7 months post-treatment with maintained vision. As evident from a review of the literature, treatment approaches vary widely in this group of patients, with radiotherapy emerging as a successful modality in achieving disease control while preserving vision with acceptable toxicity. This case underscores the complexity of managing primary orbital SCCs and highlights the efficacy of radiotherapy in achieving favourable outcomes.

Iatrogenic atrial septal defects in structural heart interventions: Opening the Pandora's box

AbstractIn the modern era of structural heart interventions, the total number of transseptal procedures is growing exponentially, thus increasing the rate and need for management of iatrogenic atrial septal defects (iASDs). To date, there are no official guidelines on the assessment and management of iASDs, due to inconclusive evidence on whether patients benefit more from the percutaneous closure of iASD than from conservative management and vigorous follow‐up. Despite the abundance of observational studies on iASDs, there is still a lack of randomized studies. Evidence so far show that percutaneous closure is no superior over conservative treatment in patients with iASDs, however, it has been demonstrated that patients with spontaneous closure of iASDs experience less heart failure (HF) hospitalizations. On the other hand, researchers have investigated the beneficial nature of interatrial shunt therapy in patients with HFpEF and, more recently, with HFrEF, due to the presumed hemodynamic benefits. Herein, we provide an updated review of relevant literature, focusing on iASD persistence rates, predicting factors for their persistence, and clinical outcomes of iASD persistence, to summarize available evidence and discuss future directions in the field.

Review of best practices for global cogeneration policy: Benchmarking and recommendations for Malaysia

Despite the Malaysian government's efforts to promote cogeneration technology, it constitutes a mere 4.2 % of the country's total electricity generation. To address this issue, this review article aims to identify and benchmark global best practices for bolstering cogeneration implementation in Malaysia. While previous studies in this domain have centered on examining government policies within the specific regions, this paper underscores the imperative for an updated and comprehensive literature review to systematically collect and categorise best practices from around the world. This work examines the adoption of cogeneration energy systems within nations characterised by a substantial presence in their energy composition, simultaneously exploring the roles of regulatory frameworks in promoting their uptake. The scope of the literature review includes statistical data, reports, and other relevant scholarly works on cogeneration policies. Based on the findings, the review paper concludes that well-crafted policies are instrumental in encouraging rapid technology advocacy. The legislative landscape pertaining to cogeneration implementation in Malaysia is scrutinised, followed by a comparative analysis against global best practices to identify opportunities for improvement. Three crucial elements emerge as paramount to expediting the adoption: (i) administrative recognition, (ii) financial initiatives, and (iii) regulatory improvements. Several recommendations for the Malaysian cogeneration roadmap are presented. Overall, this paper offers insights into the chronological evolution of cogeneration policy development and provides actionable guidelines for developing effective policies in Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries.

The EORTC QLQ breast modules and the FACT-B for assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients - an updated literature review.

Two commonly used quality of life questionnaires in breast cancer are EORTC QLQ-BR23, the FACT-B, and the extended FACT-B+4. More recently, the EORTC EORTC QLQ-BR42 was developed. This systematic review compares the various versions of the EORTC QLQ and FACT tools for breast cancer in terms of their content, validity, and psychometric properties. Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. All questionnaires have been proven to be valid, reliable and responsive. The provisional EORTC QLQ-BR45 transitioned to the EORTC QLQ-BR42 in Phase IV of its development, which encompasses the side effects associated with the latest breast cancer treatments. Both the EORTC and FACT measures assess physical and mental dimensions of quality of life, with the EORTC measure placing relatively more emphasis on physical content and FACT placing relatively more emphasis on mental (social and emotional) content. The four additional items in the FACT-B+4 were developed to address arm lymphoedema following axillary surgery. The development and uptake of quality of life tools are essential in the evaluation of breast cancer treatments. The EORTC QLQ-BR42 and FACT-B are both valid, reliable, and responsive QoL questionnaires.

Practical utility of linked color imaging in colonoscopy: Updated literature review.

The remarkable recent developments in image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) have significantly contributed to the advancement of diagnostic techniques. Linked color imaging (LCI) is an IEE technique in which color differences are expanded by processing image data to enhance short-wavelength narrow-band light. This feature of LCI causes reddish areas to appear redder and whitish areas to appear whiter. Because most colorectal lesions, such as neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, have a reddish tone, LCI is an effective tool for identifying colorectal lesions by clarifying the redder areas and distinguishing them from the surrounding normal mucosa. To date, eight randomized controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of LCI in identifying colorectal adenomatous lesions. The results of a meta-analysis integrating these studies demonstrated that LCI was superior to white-light endoscopy for detecting colorectal adenomatous lesions. LCI also improves the detection of serrated lesions by enhancing their whiteness. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that LCI is superior to white-light endoscopy for the diagnosis of the colonic mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this review, based on a comprehensive search of the current literature since the implementation of LCI, the utility of LCI in the detection and diagnosis of colorectal lesions is discussed. Additionally, the latest data, including attempts to combine artificial intelligence and LCI, are presented.

Pleomorphic adenoma of hard palate: Review of updated literature and "case report".

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a rare benign tumor mainly affecting the major salivary glands, known for its diverse histological appearances that can mimic malignancies. When it occurs in the hard palate it present diagnostic and management challenges compared to other sites due to the anatomical location and potential proximity to critical structures. This case reports a rare presentation PA starting as an ulcer, alongside a review of rare cases of PA reported in last 5 years. We aim to highlight clinical challenges and emphasize the need for awareness in diagnosis of this diverse entity amongst the clinicians before reaching a definitive conclusion. A 41-year-old female reported an asymptomatic large swelling on the right side of the posterior palatal region. Clinical diagnosis revealed a firm, rubbery, and non-tender swelling of approximately 4 cm × 4 cm diameter. A triangular incisional biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. The histopathological evaluation confirmed the presence of a PA with a well-encapsulated and compressed salivary gland. A wide surgical dissection was made to remove the entire encapsulated tumor mass, including the mucoperiosteum and eroded bone of the palate. The borderline of the tumor was carefully identified in the surrounding healthy tissue. The hemostasis was obtained using a simple interrupted suture. The diagnosis of PA is difficult as it usually involves extensive squamous and mucous metaplasia, confusing it with malignant disorders. Histopathological and clinical examinations are important for differentiating this lesion from other tumors. Complete surgical excision is reported as the first line of treatment.

Therapeutics involved in managing initial and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: An updated literature review.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been increasing due to the effect of recurrent hospitalizations. The use of antibiotics has been shown to alter the gut microbiome and lead to CDIs. The treatment is limited to three major antibiotics; however, the incidence of recurrent CDIs has been increasing and drug resistance is a major concern. This aspect is a growing concern in modern medicine especially in the elderly population, critical care patients, and immunocompromised individuals who are at high risk of developing CDIs. Clostridium difficile can lead to various complications including septic shock and fulminant colitis that could prove to be lethal in these patients. Newer modalities of treatment have been developed including bezlotoxumab, a monoclonal antibody and fecal microbiota transplant. There have been studies showing asymptomatic carriers and drug resistance posing a major threat to the healthcare system. Newer treatment options are being studied to treat and prevent CDIs. This review will provide an insight into the current treatment modalities, prevention and newer modalities of treatment and challenges faced in the treatment of CDIs.