Medicina
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Background and objectives: This study aimed to analyze the morphological changes in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in patients with diabetic retinopathy, with a particular focus on the presence or absence of comorbid diabetic macular ischemia (DMI), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Materials and Methods: Treatment-naïve 25 eyes of 16 patients who received PRP were examined in this retrospective case series. FAZ area, perimeter, and circularity were calculated on a 3 × 3-mm en-face OCTA image before PRP (baseline) and 1 and 3 months after PRP. ⋯ Results: In patients with DMI (9 eyes), FAZ area significantly decreased from the baseline to 3 months after PRP (0.86 ± 0.56 to 0.61 ± 0.31 mm2, p = 0.018), whereas FAZ perimeter and circularity remained unchanged following treatment (p = 0.569 and 0.971, respectively). In patients without DMI (16 eyes), FAZ parameters did not show statistically significant changes across the 3-month follow-up period. Conclusion: PRP significantly reduces FAZ area in patients with DMI.
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Review Meta Analysis
Silodosin versus Tamsulosin for Medical Expulsive Therapy of Ureteral Stones: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Background and Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to compare the therapeutic effects and safety profiles of silodosin and tamsulosin for medical expulsive therapy (MET) of ureteral stones. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify articles published before July 2022 that described randomized controlled trials comparing silodosin and tamsulosin for MET of ureteral stones. Endpoints were stone expulsion rate, stone expulsion time, and total complication rate. ⋯ Conclusions: Compared with tamsulosin, silodosin resulted in significantly better expulsion of ureteral stones <1 cm. The total complication rate did not significantly differ between silodosin and tamsulosin. Thus, silodosin may be superior to tamsulosin for MET of ureter stones <1 cm.
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Review Meta Analysis
Cartilage Regeneration Using Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background and Objectives: Human umbilical-cord-blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) have recently been used in clinical cartilage regeneration procedures with the expectation of improved regeneration capacity. However, the number of studies using hUCB-MSCs is still insufficient, and long-term follow-up results after use are insufficient, indicating the need for additional data and research. We have attempted to prove the efficacy and safety of hUCB-MSC treatment in a comprehensive analysis by including all subjects with knee articular cartilage defect or osteoarthritis who have undergone cartilage repair surgery using hUCB-MSCs. ⋯ Conclusion: This analysis demonstrated the safety, efficacy, and quality of repaired cartilage following hUCB-MSC therapy. However, there was no clear difference in the comparison with BMAC. In the future, comparative studies with other stem cell therapies or cartilage repair procedures should be published to support the superior effect of hUCB-MSC therapy to improve treatment of cartilage defect or osteoarthritis.
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Background: Adolescent pregnancy represents an important public-health problem due to its maternal and fetal outcomes. Adolescent patients are predisposed to multiple obstetrical complications, including anemia and preterm birth which has a higher incidence among this population; withal, in the specialty literature, anemia is considered to be a risk factor for preterm delivery; furthermore, multiple studies have demonstrated that a very young age is an independent risk factor for preterm birth. Objectives: The study aims to reveal if anemia during adolescent pregnancy has a negative impact on the time and mode of delivery and newborns’ outcomes. ⋯ In the anemic patients’ group, prenatal screening was identified in 9.37% of cases, while in the control group, in 16.67% (p = 0.034), which represents negative predictive factors, along with a low socio-economic status for the presence of anemia in young adolescent patients. Conclusions: Anemia is a risk factor for preterm birth, LBW, and cesarean section in young adolescent pregnancy. The association of lack of prenatal care and low socio-economic status worsens maternal and neonatal outcomes.
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Observational Study
Quality of Life and Persistence of Symptoms in Outpatients after Recovery from COVID-19.
Background and Objectives: Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 can have persistent symptoms after acute illness, which affects their quality of life (QoL). Research and data about this topic in Latin American ambulatory patients are scarce. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational, prospective, transversal, and analytical study. ⋯ Conclusion: Most outpatients had persistent COVID-19 symptoms after infection. Persistence of symptoms was associated with poor MCS and PCS. It is important to follow-up not only patients discharged from the hospital after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also those under ambulatory management to provide them with rehabilitation and psychological therapy to improve their QoL.