Efficacy and safety of transradial versus transfemoral access for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke has traditionally been performed via transfemoral access (TFA). However, newer literature on the subject suggests that transradial access (TRA) may be equally efficacious.MethodsOnline databases (including PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane) were queried from inception until May 2024.

Attitudes and perspectives of oncologists about measurable residual disease testing in multiple myeloma: initiative for standardizing guidelines.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) testing is emerging as a crucial prognostic and treatment-guiding tool in multiple myeloma (MM). Despite its potential, routine clinical adoption remains inconsistent. This study aimed to explore oncologists' perspectives on MRD testing and identify barriers and facilitators to its clinical integration.

Machine learning models for acute kidney injury prediction and management: a scoping review of externally validated studies.

Despite advancements in medical care, acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a major contributor to adverse patient outcomes and presents a significant challenge due to its associated morbidity, mortality, and financial cost. Machine learning (ML) is increasingly being recognized for its potential to transform AKI care by enabling early prediction, detection, and facilitating an individualized approach to patient management. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of externally validated ML models for the prediction, detection, and management of AKI.

Cardiovascular outcomes with SGLT-2 inhibitors in individuals with diabetes and co-existing atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have demonstrated benefit in reducing T2DM-related morbidity and mortality, but their effects in individuals with concomitant T2DM and atrial fibrillation remain unclear. This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate impact of SGLT-2i in this patient population.

Comparative efficacy and safety of tissue plasminogen activators (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Intravenous alteplase (ALT) is the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, recent trials comparing other tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs) like tenecteplase (TNK) and reteplase with ALT have yielded conflicting results. This necessitated a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of various tPAs in AIS patients.

Gender Differences in Perception of Neurosurgery as a Career Choice in Pakistan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: A low neurosurgeon-to-patient ratio persists to be a problem in many developing nations including Pakistan. Concurrent gender disparities further exacerbate the challenges posed by the already limited workforce. An understanding of the perceptions of neurosurgery among female early career doctors is crucial in the evolution of the field in terms of both, workforce strength and inclusivity.

Molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 outpatients: An updated meta-analysis.

Background: The majority of available data on molnupiravir come from an unvaccinated COVID-19 population. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to integrate evidence from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as well as observational studies stratified by vaccination status to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of molnupiravir in COVID-19 outpatients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, medRxiv, and ClinicalTrials.

Perception of Neurosurgery as a Career Choice Among Early Career Doctors in Pakistan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: A low neurosurgeon-to-patient ratio persists in many developing nations including Pakistan. We aimed to investigate the perceptions of medical students regarding neurosurgery as a first step toward recognizing this problem and potentially suggesting ways to solve it.

Methods: A questionnaire was designed comprising 3 sections: 1) demographics, 2) possible challenges and perceptions regarding neurosurgery as a profession, and 3) general perceptions about neurosurgery.

Association of Parsonage-Turner syndrome with COVID-19 infection and vaccination: a systematic review.

Objectives: The exact etiology of Parsonage-Turner syndrome is unknown, but it is known to be preceded by infection, vaccination, or surgical intervention. In this review, we describe associations of Parsonage-Turner syndrome with COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.

Antiandrogens for the treatment of COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Antiandrogens may carry a potential benefit as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19. However, studies have been yielding mixed results, thus hindering any objective recommendations. This necessitates a quantitative synthesis of data to quantify the benefits of antiandrogens.

Comparative efficacy and safety of tenecteplase and alteplase in acute ischemic stroke: A pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Studies on tenecteplase have been yielding mixed results for several important outcomes at different doses, thus hampering objective guideline recommendations in acute ischemic stroke management. This meta-analysis stratifies doses in order to refine our interpretation of outcomes and quantify the benefits and harms of tenecteplase at different doses.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and reference lists of the included articles were systematically searched.

Solitary and multiple thyroid nodules as predictors of malignancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The debate on whether or not there is a difference in the incidence of thyroid cancer between the patients with Solitary thyroid Nodule (STN) and Multinodular Goiter (MNG) has been constantly present for the last few decades. With newer studies yielding mixed results, it was imperative to systematically compile all available literature on the topic.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, GoogleScholar, International Clinical Trials registry, and reference lists of the included articles were systematically searched for article retrieval.

Vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of total cancer incidence and mortality: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs evaluating vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of cancer incidence and mortality have found inconsistent results and no meta-analysis has assessed the quality of the evidence available. We, therefore, aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis by including recent large-scale RCTs and assessing the quality of the pooled evidence.

Methods: We searched several databases and trial registers from inception to April 2022.

Aseptic meningitis in Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease - Rare manifestation of a rare disease.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD) is a rare disease marked by necrotizing lymphadenitis, often presenting as unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, along with various extranodal manifestations such as fever, skin rash, hepatosplenomegaly, and arthritis, etc. KFD is thought to be secondary to either a viral infection or an autoimmune process, however, evidence in favor of both models is scarce and non-definitive. We report a case of a young female who presented with persistent high-grade fever, bilateral cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy, and leukopenia.

Benvitimod for the treatment of psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Benvitimod is a topical drug that has recently been approved for mild to moderate psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The drug has just completed phase 3 trials for psoriasis, which calls for a systematic update of current evidence on the efficacy and safety of this drug. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Science Direct, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar for all available randomized controlled trials concerning the topic.

A study to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Lifestyle of Medical students.

Background: Stressful situations are often linked with poor health and lifestyle behaviors (e.g., unhealthy diet, limited physical activity, poor sleep quality etc.

The association of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with COVID-19: A systematic review.

The rise in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases is revealing its unique neurological manifestations. In light of the emerging evidence, a possible association with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is being consistently reported. We conducted a systematic literature search on four databases namely Pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Science Direct.