Annals of medicine
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The World Wide Web and the advancement of computer technology in the 1960s and 1990s respectively set the ground for a substantial and simultaneous change in many facets of our life, including medicine, health care, and medical education. The traditional didactic approach has shifted towards more dynamic and interactive methods, leveraging technologies such as simulation tools, virtual reality, and online platforms. At the forefront is the remarkable evolution that has revolutionized how medical knowledge is accessed, disseminated, and integrated into pedagogical practices. ⋯ This review includes the multifaceted applications of the metaverse in medical education, outlining both its benefits and challenges. Through insightful case studies and examples, it highlights the innovative potential of the metaverse as a platform for immersive learning experiences. Moreover, the review addresses the role of emerging technologies in shaping the post-pandemic future of medical education, ultimately culminating in a series of recommendations tailored for medical institutions aiming to successfully capitalize on revolutionary changes.
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There is growing concern that the severe respiratory disease in birds (avian influenza or 'bird flu') caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, might potentially spread more widely to humans and cause a pandemic. Here we discuss clinical issues related to human infections by the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype of the avian influenza A virus and make a clinical comparison with recent information obtained from studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ⋯ Like SARS-CoV-2 infection, H5N1 infection may result in endothelial dysfunction and the associated procoagulant and prothrombotic state, and via this mechanism, the infection can potentially increase cardiovascular morbidity, especially in vulnerable individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Secondly, we discuss the potential beneficial role of statin use, both in the prophylaxis and the treatment of individuals with influenza A(H5N1), as was found favorable for the treatment of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Observational Study
Anxiety and depression status in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and outcomes of nintedanib treatment: an observational study.
Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that impair health-related quality of life. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the mental disorder of IPF after antifibrotic treatment and their related predictive factors. ⋯ Anxiety and depression in IPF patients are closely related to somatic symptoms, pulmonary function, and quality of life. The SGRQ-T score is of great value for assessing anxiety and depression in patients with IPF. Short-term treatment with nintedanib antifibrotic therapy can alleviate anxiety and depression in IPF patients.
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Sleep is an essential factor for health and wellbeing in people across the age spectrum; yet many adolescents do not meet the recommended 8-10 h of nightly sleep. Unfortunately, habitually insufficient sleep, along with the metabolic changes of puberty, puts adolescents at increased risk for a host of adverse health outcomes such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Furthermore, individuals from historically minoritized racial and ethnic groups (e.g. Hispanic/Latinx, African American/Black) are more likely to experience shorter sleep duration compared to adolescents of White/European origin, placing them at even greater risk for disparities in T2D risk. ⋯ We conclude with a discussion of the implications and future research directions of racial and ethnic disparities in sleep health and T2D prevention research. A comprehensive understanding of adolescent sleep health disparities has potential to better inform preventative and educational programs, interventions, and policies that promote sleep health equity and improve cardiometabolic outcomes like T2D.
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The prognostic significance of the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) in patients with cancer receiving programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been widely investigated; however, the results have been conflicting. As such, the present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the precise significance of the SIRI in predicting prognosis in patients with cancer undergoing ICI therapy. ⋯ In summary, an elevated SIRI was significantly associated with OS and PFS in patients with cancer undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 ICI treatment. SIRI may a candidate indicator for predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing ICI therapy.