Minerva medica
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Endoscopic ultrasound-guided (EUS) biliary drainage was used as an alternative method for patients who failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In recent years, an increasing number of patients was treated with EUS-biliary drainage (BD), but lack of data was available to value the efficacy and safety between EUS and ERCP. Therefore, a review was needed to evaluate the similarities and differences between the two methods and explored whether EUS-guided biliary drainage could be considered as first-line treatment. ⋯ EUS-BD and ERCP-BD in terms of relief of malignant biliary obstruction presented the similarity rate of technical success, clinical success and there is no significant difference in adverse events of two procedures. EUS-BD could be used as a substitute for ERCP-BD, even considered as first-line treatment.
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In association with standard management, natural pharmaceutical standard (PS) supplements may play an important role in managing and preventing mild-to-moderate symptoms of asthma, a significant health issue that impacts patients and the healthcare system. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with important biological properties (anti-inflammatory, antihistamine and anti-oxidative actions). ⋯ This preliminary supplement, concept registry shows a potential protective and preventive effect of quercetin on attacks frequency and in controlling the most common signs/symptoms of asthma in the milder cases of the disease.
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Thyroid hormones have multiple effects on lipid metabolism as well as on the cardiovascular system function. These negative cardiovascular effects have long been recognized in overt hypothyroidism but can be reversed by treatment with levothyroxine. ⋯ Prospective studies are necessary to clarify the cardiovascular risk in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism and to assess the importance of treating elderly people in order to improve or counteract the correlated risks. However, until clinical recommendations will be updated, the decision to treat or not treat patients with subclinical hypothyroidism will still base on clinical judgment, clinical practice guidelines, and expert opinion.
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Meta Analysis
Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of colorectal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that is colonized in the stomach. H. pylori infection can lead to a series of stomach diseases. However, the relationship between H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer is currently controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to further understand the relationship between H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer. ⋯ The present meta-analysis provides evidence suggests that a positive association between H. pylori infection and the risk of colorectal cancer.