J Natl Med Assoc
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Review Meta Analysis
The Effect of Flavonoids on Chronic Prostatitis: A Meta-analysis of Published Randomized Controlled Trials.
To assess the effect of flavonoids on chronic prostatitis, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicates that the flavonoids may be clinically beneficial through significantly improving the response rate and NIH-CPSI in chronic prostatitis patients and short-lasting antibiotics therapy in association with the flavonoids could be a better choose for CBP. Moreover, the flavonoids therapy has an excellent safety profile with minor adverse effects.
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Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a multiple cystic disease involving both the kidneys. Some studies have reported cases of patients with PKD and concurrent aortic dissection; however, autopsy has been performed in only few of these cases. Here, we present the case of a 62-year-old male patient with PKD who showed generalized vascular degeneration, including aortic dissection. ⋯ Moreover, multiple tears in the vascular wall of the splenic artery and superior mesenteric artery, including the aorta, were observed. The case findings indicate that patients with PKD may develop associated generalized vascular disease; however, development of cerebral aneurysms and aortic dissections with PKD is particularly serious. Therefore, suitable screening tests must be developed for the early diagnosis and disease characterization, thus, ensuring that the appropriate treatment is administered to the patients.
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Comparative Study
Racial Disparities in Adult Pneumococcal Vaccination Indications and Pneumococcal Hospitalizations in the U.S.
Racial disparities in U.S. adult pneumococcal vaccination rates persist despite reduced barriers to access. Consequently, racial and ethnic minorities experience pneumococcal disease at higher rates than whites. This study examined prevalence of high-risk conditions and pneumococcal hospitalizations among U.S. black and non-black populations aged ≥50 years. ⋯ Marked differences exist between U.S. black and non-black populations in likelihood of conditions conferring a high-risk of pneumococcal disease, and for length of stay and costs of pneumococcal disease hospitalizations. Further research is recommended to identify cost-effective policies or interventions to increase vaccine uptake in higher risk populations.
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We sought to correct a low interview rate for racial groups underrepresented in medicine (URM) by analyzing our interview selection process, identifying sources of unintended bias, and developing a new process that would provide a more racially diverse interview pool. ⋯ A comprehensive review of applications that minimizes emphasis on USMLE step 1 scores substantially reduced the difference between the percentages of URMs and those of other racial backgrounds who were offered interviews for a Neurology residency.
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The study objective was to identify biobehavioral variables associated with greater intake of nicotine and a tobacco carcinogen among Black light smokers who smoke 1 to 10 cigarettes per day (CPD). ⋯ Among Black Light smokers, higher cigarette consumption and greater physical dependence-but not rate of nicotine metabolism, menthol use, or socioeconomic status-were associated with greater toxicant exposure and thus a likely increased risk of tobacco-related diseases. The lack of data on light smokers, and specifically on Blacks, make this observation important given the disproportionate burden of lung cancer in this population.