Search

Introduction Olfactory dysfunction (OD) has emerged as a notable symptom among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, with its prevalence varying among different populations. Recognizing the need to provide therapeutic solutions for these individuals, the present study seeks to comprehensively review the current evidence on potential underlying mechanisms and treatment modalities to manage OD in COVID-19 patients. Objective To review the recent evidence on treatments for OD in COVID-19. From the beginning of the study until August 2nd, 2023, we conducted a systematic search on four electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, to find relevant publications. Data Synthesis In the present study, 37 articles were selected for data extraction and included in the final review. The total number of patients was of 3,560 (2,098 female and 1,462 male subjects). The predominant disorders reported were hyposmia, anosmia, and parosmia. In most of the studies, the pre and postintervention assessments were the same, except for one study, in which the pre-intervention assessment of the disorder was through the SST, Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST), and the post-intervention assessment was through the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). The findings suggest olfactory training (OT), ivermectin, palmitoylethanolamide, luteolin, and systemic corticosteroids, in combination with topical corticosteroids, are potential therapies for COVID-19 patients with olfactory impairment. Conclusion Although the review suggested several medications for OD treatment, further research must delve into the specific impact of OT, a non-pharmacological modality, regarding the mitigation of OD. By continuing to investigate and refine these therapeutic approaches, we can better support COVID-19 patients and improve their quality of life while navigating the challenges posed by OD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been increasingly used in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Since coronary artery disease (CAD) is common among these patients, it is crucial to choose the best method and timing of revascularization. This study aims to compare different timing strategies of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI to clarify whether PCI timing affects the patients' outcomes or not. Methods: A frequentist network meta‐analysis was conducted comparing three different revascularization strategies in patients with CAD undergoing TAVI. The 30‐day all‐cause mortality, in‐hospital mortality, all‐cause mortality at 1 year, 30‐day rates of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding, and the need for pacemaker implantation at 6 months were analyzed in this study. Results: Our meta‐analysis revealed that PCI during TAVI had higher 30‐day mortality (RR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.40–4.32) and in‐hospital mortality (RR = 1.70, 95% CI = [1.08–2.69]) compared to no PCI. Post‐TAVI PCI was associated with higher 1‐year mortality compared to other strategies. While no significant differences in major bleeding or stroke were observed, PCI during TAVI versus no PCI (RR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.27–10.43) showed a higher rate of 30‐day MI. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that among patients with severe AS and CAD undergoing TAVI, PCI concomitantly with TAVI seems to be associated with worse 30‐day outcomes compared with no PCI. PCI after TAVI demonstrated an increased risk of 1‐year mortality compared to alternative strategies. Choosing a timing strategy should be individualized based on patient characteristics and procedural considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among the young generation, medical and law students' attitude towards third party reproduction is very important because they will be directly involved in restricting or developing the programs that will support it in the future. The aim of this survey was to investigate attitude of law and medical students to oocyte donation and key aspects of this kind of third party. Materials and Methods: In analytical cross-sectional study, 345 medical and law students were randomly selected using stratified sampling. Data was collected using attitude toward donation- oocyte (ATOD-O) questionnaire. Responses were on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed according to established statistical approach by Heeren and D'Agostino. Results: The majority of the participants agreed with oocyte donation being the last choice for infertility treatment. There was a significant difference between medical students and law students regarding the acceptance of oocyte donation (3.23 vs. 3.53, P=0.025). In addition, female participants were more tolerant on receiving donated oocytes from their sisters than male participants (3.01 vs. 2.58, P=0.002) and finally, a higher number of the participants had a positive attitude towards anonymity of the donor and the recipient to one another (3.93 vs. 3.86, P=0.580). The vast majority of female students believed that the oocyte recipient naturally likes that child (P<0.0001). Conclusion: In the current study, a great majority of law and medical students support oocyte donation as an alternative way of starting a family. There is an interest among female students in donating oocytes anonymously. The majority believed that the oocyte recipient family will like the donor oocyte child naturally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the infertility problems in Iran. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infertility problems and related factors in Iranian infertile patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 405 infertile patients referred to Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran, between 2014 and 2015, were selected by simple random sampling. Participants completed the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) including 46 questions in five domains (social concern, sexual concern, relationship concern, rejection of parenthood, and need for parenthood). Mean difference between male and female was verified using independent-samples Student's t test. A generalized linear model (GLM) was also used for testing the effect of variables on the fertility problems. Data was analyzed using Stata software version 13. Results: The mean age (SD) of participants was 31.28 (5.42). Our results showed that 160 infertile men (95.23%) were classified as very high prevalence of infertility problems. Among infertile women, 83 patients (35.02%) were as very high prevalence of infertility problems, and 154 patients (64.98%) were as high prevalence. Age (P<0.001), sex (P<0.001), a history of abortion (P=0.009), failure of previous treatment (P<0.001), and education (P=0.014) had a significant relationship with FPI scores. Conclusion: Bases on the results of current study, an younger male with lower education level, history of abortion and history of previous treatments failure experienced more infertility problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this survey was to explore the knowledge, attitude and current practice of Iranian oncologists about fertility preservation (FP) services provided to cancer patients. Oncologists who completed this survey were a convenience sample of 103 specialists in radiation oncology and haematology who attended large national and international congresses and symposia across Iran. A 23‐item self‐administered questionnaire included questions on knowledge, attitudes and practice. The most well known of the FP methods among Iranian oncologists were gonadotropin‐releasing hormone therapy and sperm cryopreservation, with scores of 2.77 (1.10) and 2.64 (1.00) respectively. These scores were above the median value of 2.5 on a 4‐point Likert scale, in contrast to a mean knowledge score across all the FP options of 2.25 (0.71). With regard to attitudes, age was the most important reason for discussing FP with patients, mean score 3.75 (0.54), while heredity was the least important, mean score 2.98 (0.87). In terms of practice, most oncologists did not provide their patients with written information about FP. However, 74 (72.5%) said they referred cancer patients on to reproductive specialists. This sample of Iranian oncologists would benefit from more information on FP methods and prevent loss of fertility among cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is an emerging technique to investigate retinal and choroidal microvascular alterations in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the features of retinal and choroidal microvasculature using OCTA among SSc patients., Methods: The methodology of the study was based on PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched systematically on November 25, 2023, for relevant studies utilizing OCTA as the main diagnostic tool to assess the retinal and choroidal microvasculature in SSc patients versus healthy controls. Random-effect or fixed model meta-analysis was used based on the heterogeneity of studies., Results: Eleven observational comparative studies, including 366 patients with SSc and 350 healthy controls, conducted between 2020 and 2023, were included in this review. Meta-analysis findings revealed a significant decrease in vessel densities in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP and DCP) among SSc patients compared to controls. However, there were no significant differences observed in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and choriocapillary flow area (CCFA) between SSc patients and controls. Moreover, central macular thickness (CMT) consistently exhibited a decrease in SSc patients, while retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness showed no significant differences. Although radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density, subfoveal choroidal thickness (CMT), and cup/disc ratio yielded mixed results, with some studies indicating significant changes in the SSc group, meta-analysis could not be performed due to variations in the OCTA machines used across the included studies., Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrates retinal and choroidal microvascular abnormalities in SSc using OCTA. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand how these abnormalities evolve over time in patients with SSc and whether these abnormalities correlate with the clinical features of SSc., (The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: This article aimed to analyze upper endoscopic findings in the HIV patient population to elucidate the upper-gastrointestinal complications related to HIV infection. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in individuals living with HIV/AIDS exhibit diverse and often nonspecific manifestations, imposing substantial morbidity and mortality burdens. Endoscopic evaluation with biopsies is essential in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Delayed treatment due to undetected GI abnormalities during endoscopic examinations can lead to poorer health outcomes., Methods: This systematic review has determined the findings of upper-GI endoscopy of HIV-infected patients. Online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Jisc Library Hub Discover, and Library of Congress have been searched using relevant keyword combinations. We have retrieved all the pertinent papers and reports published in English and screened them against inclusion/exclusion criteria for data extraction in two steps. First, titles/abstracts have been evaluated and then full-text screening has been performed by independent researchers. This study has adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist., Results: In this review, 24 articles have been included in the final analysis. The study has focused on the characteristics of participants and the findings of endoscopic evaluations. The participants of the study have been HIV-positive patients, and the majority of them have undergone endoscopy due to gastrointestinal symptoms. The biopsy regions primarily targeted have been observed to be the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The most common result of the biopsy specimens has been chronic active gastritis., Conclusion: To improve clinical practice, this systematic review sought to provide an up-to-date reference for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings of HIV-infected persons. Our results are in line with earlier research showing how effective endoscopy is for determining a precise diagnosis and directing care. The majority of HIV patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have been found to have opportunistic infections and persistent active gastritis as well as mucosal abnormalities of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that endoscopic and histological assessment can aid in the early detection and management of issues involving the upper gastrointestinal tract., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objectives: Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication of liver transplant. Here, we assessed the rate and contributing factors of acute kidney injury and need for renal replacement therapy in patients undergoing liver transplant at a transplant center in Tehran, Iran., Material and Methods: We identified all patients who underwent liver transplant at the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex from March 2018 to March 2019 and who were followed for 3 months after transplant. Acute kidney injury was defined based on the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. We collected demographic and pretransplant, intraoperative, and posttransplant data. Univariable and multivariable models were applied to explore independent risk factors for acute kidney injury incidence and need for renal replacement therapy., Results: Our study included 173 deceased donor liver transplant recipients. Rates of incidence of acute kidney injury and need for renal replacement therapy were 68.2% and 14.5%, respectively. The 3-month mortality rate among those with severe and mild or moderate acute kidney injury was 44.0% (14/25) and 9.7% (9/ 93), respectively (P < .001). Multivariable analyses indicated that serum albumin (relative risk of 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.87; P = .021), baseline serum creatinine (relative risk of 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-2.90; P = .037), and intraoperative mean arterial pressure (relative risk of 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.82; P = .008) were independent factors for predicting posttransplant acute kidney injury. Independent risk factors for requiring renal replacement therapy were pretransplant serum creatinine (relative risk of 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.89-4.47; P = .044) and intraoperative vasopressor infusion (relative risk of 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-2.00; P = .021)., Conclusions: We found a high incidence of acute kidney injury among liver transplant recipients in our center. There was a significant association between severity of acute kidney injury and 3-month and in-hospital mortality.