Percutaneous cholecystolithotomy and lithotripsy for managing acute calculous cholecystitis in non-surgical candidates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/aims: This study aimed to review and update the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cholecystolithotomy/lithotripsy (PCCL) for managing acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) in non-surgical candidates.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase was conducted. We included studies focusing on the use of PCCL in patients deemed ineligible for surgery owing to ACC and reporting outcomes such as technical success, stone clearance, recurrence, and length of hospital stay.

Temporal Trends in Cardiovascular Mortality in Underlying Viral Hepatitis: A Retrospective Analysis of Gender, Racial/Ethnic, and Regional Disparities.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate contemporary trends in mortality related to cardiovascular disease and viral hepatitis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the CDC-WONDER dataset. Our study cohort consisted of adults aged ≥ 15 years, where both cardiovascular disease and viral hepatitis were identified as an underlying or contributory cause of death between 1999 and 2020.

Trends in hypertensive disease related deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2020: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Hypertension, prevalent among one-third of US adults, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular disease and mortality. This study seeks to analyze hypertension mortality patterns and regional disparities among adult patients in the USA.

Methods: Data was sourced from the CDC WONDER database, with hypertension identification based on ICD-10 Codes I10-13 and I15.

Safety and Efficacy of Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) in Patients With Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening infection requiring prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy. Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) has emerged as an alternative to prolonged hospitalization, but its safety and efficacy in IE remain debated.

Hypothesis: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the outcomes of OPAT in IE patients.

Dengue Crisis Escalates in Peru in 2024: A Call for Immediate Action.

The escalating dengue crisis in Peru demands immediate action from global health organizations, health care authorities, and government officials. Endemic to Peru, dengue has seen a drastic increase in cases, with the largest outbreak on record occurring in the first half of 2023, resulting in 139 366 confirmed cases and 381 deaths. Despite efforts to contain the outbreak through integrated surveillance and response strategies, the crisis worsened in 2024 due to drastic climate changes, exacerbating conditions for dengue transmission.

Asthma incidence, prevalence, and mortality in the United States and worldwide, 1990-2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease study.

Introduction: Asthma is a serious global health issue, contributing to premature deaths and reduced quality of life.

Objective: This study examines trends in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of asthma in the US and globally from 1990 to 2019.

Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease database were used to calculate age-standardized incidence (ASIR), prevalence (ASPR), and mortality (ASMR) rates per 100,000 individuals, stratified by gender.

Trends and Disparities in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Related Mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020: Insights From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research Database.

Objectives: The incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) shows a bimodal distribution, with the first peak in children under 10 years old and the second in adults. It is imperative to understand disparities in ALL-related mortality.

Methods: ALL-related mortality trends in the United States from 1999 to 2020 were studied by extracting age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database.

Self-management interventions for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly impact men's quality of life and can cause bothersome symptoms, which often interfere with daily functioning and contribute to psychological distress. While pharmacological and surgical treatments are effective, they can have side effects, and not all men require or desire these interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of self-management interventions on symptom severity.

Sex disparities and trends in stroke incidence, prevalence, and mortality in the US and worldwide: Findings from the global burden of disease, 1990-2021.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death/disability, with notable differences in incidence, prevalence, and mortality observed. Despite advancement in stroke research, notable gaps persist in understanding the overall trend and sex-specific disparities in stroke burden over the past three decades, both in the United States of America (USA) and globally.

Aims: This observational-study aims to investigate evolving trends and sex-specific disparities in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of stroke in the USA and globally from 1990 to 2021.

Intraoperative ketamine and pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) reduces postoperative discomfort and expedites recovery compared to open thoracotomy. Effective postoperative pain management is crucial to enhance recovery and reduce complications. Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has shown promise, though its efficacy in VATS remains uncertain.

Electronic cigarettes: a harm reduction option for smokers?

Dear Editor, An electronic cigarette or electronic nicotine delivery system is a tobacco-free device powered by a battery. It usually contains a solution of nicotine, flavorings, and various chemicals, some of which may carry potential risks..

National trends of malpractice-related cardiovascular mortality within the United States, 1999-2020.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the leading cause of mortality in the USA, claiming a life every 33 seconds, while cardiology ranks among the top three specialties with malpractice-related claims. The authors' study aims to scrutinize sex disparities in CVD-related mortality linked with malpractice among the elderly population (≥65 years) in the USA. Data pertaining to malpractice incidents in CVD treatment spanning from 1999 to 2020 were sourced from the CDC Wonder database.

Temporal trends and regional variations in mortality related to Guillain-Barré syndrome in the United States: a retrospective study from 1999 to 2020.

Aim: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder, with an estimated 6.4% increase in cases worldwide from 1990 to 2019. We aim to identify the GBS-related mortality trends in the US stratified by age, sex, race, and region.

Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy in the Management of Hypothalamic Hamartomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRg-LITT) is a promising new technique to ablate epileptic foci in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH). We aim to systematically synthesize all available evidence and determine the effectiveness of MRg-LITT in reducing seizures in patients with HH.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, and Google Scholar for all relevant articles.

Trends in mortality due to multiple sclerosis in the United States: A retrospective analysis from 1999 to 2020.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory condition with a prevalence of about 309.2 per 100,000 people in the United States. We aim to identify MS-related mortality trends in the USA from 1999 to 2020, stratified by age, sex, race, and geography, and its correlation with sunlight.

Disparities in mortality trends of adults with HIV in the USA: A comprehensive examination across 2 decades.

Approximately 38 million people worldwide are affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with 4000 new infections daily. While literature explores HIV mortality among the elderly in the US, there is an underrepresentation of mortality data for adults. By scrutinizing mortality trends based on demographic factors such as gender, race or ethnicity, age groups, and geographic location, the study seeks to uncover patterns that may facilitate a longitudinal perspective for tailoring interventions and allocating resources effectively.

Temporal and regional trends in adults with diabetics kidney disease in the US from 1999 to 2020.

Aims: We aim to analyze trends in mortality rates among adults with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the US from 1999 to 2020.

Methods: We queried the Centers for Disease Control Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database for mortality statistics from 1999 to 2020 associated with DKD in adults aged ≥25 years. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated and trends were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression Program.

Two decades of influenza and pneumonia mortality trends: Demographics, regional shifts and disparities in the United States: 1999 to 2020.

Background: In the 20th century, influenza and pneumonia constituted the largest proportion of infectious disease deaths in the United States. Despite progress in management, US mortality trends for these diseases have not been thoroughly investigated.

Objectives: We aim to examine the patterns of influenza and pneumonia-related deaths among US residents.

Evaluating the role of ivabradine in acute decompensated heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) presents a significant global health challenge, with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The current therapeutic options for ADHF are limited. Ivabradine, a selective inhibitor of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, has emerged as a potential therapy for ADHF by reducing the heart rate (HR) without negatively affecting myocardial contractility.

Mortality patterns in older adults with infective endocarditis in the US: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Infective Endocarditis (IE) has become a significant cause of morbidity and mortality over the last two decades. Despite management advancements, mortality trends in the USA's geriatric population are unexplored. The aim of this study was to assess the trends and regional differences in IE related mortality among geriatric patients in the USA.

Gender and racial disparities in obesity-related cardiovascular-induced mortality in the USA, 1999-2020.

Obesity is closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases, leading to increased mortality rates. This study examines the trends in cardiovascular-induced obesity associated mortality among individuals aged 15 years and older in the United States. Data were sourced from the CDC WONDER for the years 1999-2020, encompassing fatalities where cardiovascular disease was the underlying cause of death and obesity was a contributing factor.

The Role of ChatGPT in Medical Research: Progress and Limitations.

Advancements in AI have resulted in the development of sophisticated language models like ChatGPT, which can generate human-like text. While ChatGPT is useful for clarifying concepts and providing basic guidance, it has limitations. It lacks the ability to provide the latest scientific information and access original medical databases.