Diagnostic Indicators of ECG for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Currently, epicardial coronary angiography is still the only diagnostic tool for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon (CSFP). This study aimed to systematically review studies that compared Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings between patients with and without CSFP. Methods: Using relevant key terms, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to find relevant studies up to February 5th, 2023. Effect sizes in each study were calculated as mean differences and crude odds ratio; then, random-effect models using inverse variance and Mantel-Haenszel methods were used to pool standardized mean differences (SMD) and crude odds ratios, respectively. Results: Thirty-two eligible articles with a total sample size of 3,937 patients (2,069 with CSFP) were included. CSFP patients had higher P-wave maximum (Pmax) (SMD: 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29 - 1.76); p=0.006) and P-dispersion (Pd) (SMD: 1.63 (95% CI: 0.99 - 2.27); p<0.001) compared to the control group. CSFP group also showed significantly longer QT wave maximum duration (SMD: 0.69 (95% CI: 0.33 - 1.06); p<0.001), uncorrected QTd (SMD: 1.89(95% CI: 0.67 - 3.11); p=0.002), and corrected dispersion (QTcd) (SMD: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.09 - 2.17), p<0.001). The frontal QRS-T angle was significantly higher in the CSFP group in comparison with the control group (SMD: 1.18 (95% CI: 0.31 - 2.04; p=0.007). While CSFP patients had a significantly higher T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) (SMD:1.71 (95% CI: 0.91, 2.52), p<0.001), no significant difference was noted between groups in terms of Tp-e to QT (p=0.16) and corrected QT ratios (p=0.07). Conclusion: Our findings suggest several ECG parameters, such as P max, Pd, QT, QTc, QTd, QTcd, Tp-e, and frontal QRS-T angle, may be prolonged in CSFP patients, and they could be employed as diagnostic indicators of CSFP before angiography.

Post-acute midterm follow-up cardiac MRI findings and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Although previous investigations revealed favourable in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis, the mid-term prognosis is still unclear. Hence, we aim to summarise existing evidence on the follow-up imaging and clinical findings in patients with COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis. METHODS: We performed a systematic search in online databases using relevant key terms covering COVID-19 vaccine, myocarditis, follow-up, and cardiac MRI. We included all observational studies that reported cardiac MRI findings of patients with myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in both acute and follow-up phases. Data on clinical outcomes and cardiac MRI findings were extracted and pooled using a random-effect model. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies (126 patients) met our eligibility criteria. At the time of follow-up, myocarditis symptoms were resolved in all patients, but abnormal electrocardiography and elevated troponin levels were detected in 18.7% and 3.8% of them, respectively. Median imaging follow-up times varied from 3 to 6.3 months. On follow-up cardiac MRI, the persistence of LGE was observed in 76% (95%CI: 62 to 85%), but its extension declined compared to the baseline in almost all patients. Persistent LGE was accompanied by myocardial edoema in six patients, and it was consistent with myocardial fibrosis (LGE without edoema) in the remaining cases. Mean changes (95%CI) of cardiac MRI left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (%) was +2.97 (+1.59 to +4.34) from baseline. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although most patients likely experience favourable clinical outcomes without serious complications, cardiac MRI abnormalities, mainly LGE, may persist in a notable proportion of them beyond the acute phase.

Neuromuscular diseases associated with COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic review and pooled analysis of 258 patients.

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) emerged as one of the main side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination. We pooled and summarized the evidence on the clinical features and outcomes of NMD associated with COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: We comprehensively searched three databases, Medline, Embase, and Scopus, using the key terms covering "Neuromuscular disease" AND "COVID-19 vaccine", and pooled the individual patient data extracted from the included studies. RESULTS: A total of 258 NMD cases following COVID-19 have been reported globally, of which 171 cases were Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), 40 Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS), 22 Myasthenia Gravis (MG), 19 facial nerve palsy (FNP), 5 single fiber neuropathy, and 1 Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. All (100%) SFN patients and 58% of FNP patients were female; in the remaining NMDs, patients were predominantly male, including MG (82%), GBS (63%), and PTS (62.5%). The median time from vaccine to symptom was less than 2 weeks in all groups. Symptoms mainly appeared following the first dose of vector vaccine, but there was no specific pattern for mRNA-based. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccines might induce some NMDs, mainly in adults. The age distribution and gender characteristics of affected patients may differ based on the NMD type. About two-thirds of the cases probably occur less than 2 weeks after vaccination.

Clinical features and outcomes of Myasthenia Gravis associated with COVID-19 vaccines: A systematic review and pooled analysis.

BACKGROUNDS: Myasthenia Gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular junction disorder, emerged as one of the serious side effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. We aimed to summarize the findings of studies on the clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination-associated MG. METHODS: We performed a systematic search on 3 databases, Medline, Embase, and Scopus, using the query "COVID-19 vaccine" and "Myasthenia Gravis." Patients' data, including clinical data, MG subtype, vaccine type, and vaccine dose number, were extracted from the eligible studies. RESULTS: A total of 20 COVID-19 vaccination-related MGs have been reported worldwide. The median (interquartile range) age was 64 (51, 75) years; 85% (17/20) of them were male, and 70% (14/20) of patients had received messenger RNA-based vaccines. The most common symptoms, in order of frequency, were binocular diplopia (8/11) and ptosis (4/11); the median (interquartile range) time from vaccine to MG symptoms was 6 (2, 7.5) days. Repetitive nerve stimulation showed abnormal decrement in 85% (11/13) of patients, and all 4 patients getting single-fiber electromyography showed an abnormal finding. Nine out of twelve patients with data on clinical outcomes experienced partial/complete improvement of symptoms within 1 month. CONCLUSION: MG cases after the COVID-19 vaccine are more likely to occur among males and adults older than 50 years. Our pooled cohort data suggest MG symptoms appear within 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. The presenting symptoms in MG cases associated with COVID-19 vaccine are possibly similar to non-vaccination related MGs. Most patients are expected to experience partial/complete improvement within 1 month.

A Novel Exon 2 Deletion Mutation in the GRXCR1 Gene Associated With Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: A Case Report and Review of Literatures.

BACKGROUND: About 80% of congenital hearing loss cases have genetic causes, often autosomal recessive and non-syndromic. Autosomal Recessive Non-syndromic hearing loss is characterized by extreme genetic heterogeneity. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of congenital hearing loss with novel homozygous deletion in GRXCR1 gene. METHODS: Case reports and review of literatures. RESULTS: In this study, the proband was a 32-year-old woman seeking pre-marriage genetic counseling with non-syndromic congenital hearing loss. An owing negative test for GJB2 mutations, she underwent exome sequencing, unveiling a novel homozygous exon 2 deletion of the GRXCR1 gene. This mutation was confirmed in her affected mother and sibling by PCR and Quantitative Real-Time PCR. CONCLUSION: We identified a novel GRXCR1 gene mutation related to congenital hearing loss in a family. Our study highlights the efficiency of exome sequencing in discovering gene mutations in cases of diseases with genetic heterogeneity.

Clinicopathological and prognostic value of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 in cancer: A systematic review study and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Aberrant expression of lncRNAs in cancer cells can impact their key phenotypes. We aimed to summarize available evidence on clinicopathological and prognostic value of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 in cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was performed on Medline and Embase databases using relevant key terms covering lncRNA TPT1-AS1, cancer, and clinical outcomes. The effect size estimates and their 95 % confidence interval (CI) were pooled using random-effects models. Meta- analyses were conducted using STATA 16.0 software. RESULTS: Seventeen articles met our eligibility criteria. Tumor tissue compared to normal tissue showed increased level of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 expression (pooled standardized mean difference (95 % CI): 0.65 (0.52-0.79)). Overexpression of this lncRNA was a significant predictor for poor prognosis (Pooled log-rank test P-value < 0.001); in patients with high-level of lncRNA TPT1-AS1, the risk of death at five years was 1.40 times greater than their counterparts. The pooled Odds ratios for association lncRNA TPT1-AS1 with tumor stage, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis were 1.94 (95 % CI: 0.90-4.19, 8 studies, I2 = 79.6 %), 2.33 (95 % CI: 1.31-4.14, 5 studies, I2 = 40.0 %), and 1.89 (95 % CI: 1.08-3.36, 5 studies, I2 = 61.7 %), respectively. Regarding the identified potential mechanisms, lncRNA TPT1-AS1 plays a role in cancer growth mainly by sponging miRNAs and regulating their downstream targets or controlling the expression of key cell cycle regulators. CONCLUSION: In cancer patients, elevated expression of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 might be associated with a shorter Overall Survival, advanced stages, larger tumor size, and lymph node metastasis.

Comparison of the effectiveness of Dienogest with medroxyprogesterone acetate in the treatment of pelvic pain and recurrence of endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Dienogest and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on the recurrence of endometriosis lesions and clinical symptoms in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: This single center clinical trial was conducted among 106 women with endometriosis undergoing laparoscopic surgery who candidate receiving post-surgery hormone therapy. Participants were allocated to two groups. The first group received Dienogest pills (2 mg) daily for the first three months and then cyclic for three months afterward. The second group received MPA pills twice daily (10 mg) for three months and then cyclic for the next three months. Six months after the intervention, the rate of endometriosis recurrence, the size of endometriosis lesions and pelvic pain were assess and compared between two groups. RESULTS: Finally, data were evaluated based on 48 and 53 women in the Dienogest and MPA groups, respectively. After 6 months follow-up assessments the pelvic pain score was significantly lower in Dienogest group than MPA group (P < 0.001). There was not statistically difference between two groups in terms of recurrence rate of endometriosis (P = 0.4). Although the size of endometriosis cyst recurrence was smaller in Dienogest group compared to MPA group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that Dienogest treatment has better effect in reducing pelvic pain and the mean size of the recurrent endometriosis lesions after endometriosis laparoscopic surgery when compared to MPA treatment. Although the recurrent rate of endometriosis was similar between these treatments.

The outcome of ST-elevation myocardial infarction by sex: a retrospective cohort study.

We aimed to compare in-hospital mortality (IHM) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between male and females. We assessed the association of sex with IHM after AMI using simple and multivariate cox regression models. Results were presented as crude and adjusted hazard ratios along with their 95% confidence interval (HR; 95% CI). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed females had a higher risk of death than males after ST-elevation MI (STEMI) (adjusted HR [95% CI]: 1.64 [1.15-2.36]; p = 0.007). In subgroup analysis by age group, this significantly increased risk was only observed in 50- to 64-year-old females. There were no significant differences between genders after non-STEMI and unspecified MI. Women aged 50 to 64 years had higher IHM after STEMI than men.

What is this study about? Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability in both males and females worldwide. Over the few last decades, with the development of novel techniques for the treatment of heart attacks, its prognosis has dramatically improved, although adverse outcomes remain high in female patients. Nevertheless, sex differences in death rates following heart attacks are still poorly understood. Hence, we compared the in-hospital death rate between male and female patients following a heart attack. What were the study results? Women are more likely to die during hospitalization following a heart attack in which the artery supplying the heart muscle was completely blocked, when compared with similarly aged men. This increased risk was most prominent between 50 to 64 years of age. However, the risk of in-hospital death was similar between men and women following a heart attack in which the artery supplying the heart muscle was not completely blocked. What do the results of the study mean? Women who have a heart attack with complete blockage of an artery supplying heart muscle are more likely to die during hospitalization when compared with men.

Efficacy and safety of intracoronary epinephrine for the management of the no-reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary interventions: a systematic-review study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no pharmacological or device-based intervention has been fully proven to reverse the no-reflow phenomenon. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of intracoronary (IC) epinephrine in the management of no-reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), either as first-line treatment or after the failure of conventional agents. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched up to 28 May 2022, with additional manual search on the Google Scholar and review of the reference lists of the relevant studies to identify all published studies. Cohort studies, case series, and interventional studies written in English which evaluated the efficacy and safety of IC epinephrine in patients with no-flow phenomenon were included in our review. RESULTS: Six of the 646 articles identified in the initial search met our inclusion criteria. IC epinephrine was used either as a first-line treatment [two randomized clinical trials (RCTs)] or after the failure of conventional agents (two cohort studies and two case series) for restoring the coronary flow, mainly after primary PCI. As first-line therapy, IC epinephrine successfully restored coronary flow in over 90% of patients in both RCTs, which significantly outperformed IC adenosine (78%) but lagged behind combination of verapamil and tirofiban (100%) in this regard. In the refractory no-flow phenomenon, successful reperfusion [thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade = 3] was achieved in three out of four patients after the administration of IC epinephrine based on the results from both case series. Their findings were confirmed by a recent cohort study that further compared IC epinephrine with IC adenosine and found significant differences between them in terms of efficacy [% TIMI flow grade 3: (69.1% versus 52.7%, respectively; p value = 0.04)] and 1-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) outcomes (11.3% versus 26.7%, respectively; p value ⩽ 0.01). Overall, malignant ventricular arrhythmias were reported in none of the patients treated with IC epinephrine. CONCLUSION: Results from available evidence suggest that IC epinephrine might be an effective and safe agent in managing the no-reflow phenomenon.

The role of lncRNA CERS6-AS1 in cancer and its molecular mechanisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: LncRNAs have the potential to play a regulatory role in different processes of cancer development and progression. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence on the clinical significance and prognostic value of lncRNA CERS6-AS1 in cancer. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Medline and Embase databases were searched using the relevant key terms covering lncRNA CERS6-AS1 and cancer. We pooled the estimated effect sizes and their 95 % confidence interval (CI) using random-effects models in STATA 16.0 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: Eleven articles on pancreatic, colorectal, gastric, papillary thyroid, breast, and hepatocellular cancers fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Studies consistently found that lncRNA CERS6-AS1 expression is upregulated in all assessed cancers. Based on our meta-analysis, its aberrant expression was directly associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, including higher stage (pooled Odds ratios (95 % CI): 3.15 (2.01-4.93; I2 = 0.0 %), tumor size (1.97 (1.27-3.05; I2 = 37.8 %), lymph node metastasis (6.48 (4.01-10.45; I2 = 0.40 %), and poor survival (Pooled log-rank test P-value < 0.001) in patients. Regarding potential mechanisms, functional studies revealed that LncRNA CERS6-AS1 is involved in cancer growth mainly by sponging miRNAs and regulating their downstream targets. CONCLUSION: Available evidence suggests that LncRNA CERS6-AS1 is upregulated in different cancers and has an oncogenic role. LncRNA CERS6-AS1 expression level might predict cancer prognosis, highlighting its potential application as a prognostic biomarker for cancer.

Utility of electrocardiogram to predict the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The no-reflow phenomenon affects about one out of five patients undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI). As the prolonged no-reflow phenomenon is linked with unfavorable outcomes, making early recognition is crucial for effective management and improved clinical outcomes in these patients. Our review study aimed to determine whether electrocardiogram (ECG) findings before PCI could serve as predictors for the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon. Methods and materials: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase to identify relevant studies. The random-effect model using inverse variance and Mantel-Haenszel methods were used to pool the standardized mean differences (SMD) and odds ratios (OR), respectively. Result: Sixteen eligible articles (1,473 cases and 4,264 controls) were included in this study. Based on our meta-analysis of baseline ECG findings, the no-reflow group compared to the control group significantly had a higher frequency of fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) (OR (95% CI): 1.35 (0.32-2.38), P-value = 0.01), and Q-waves (OR (95% CI): 1.97 (1.01-2.94), P-value <0.001). Also, a longer QRS duration (QRSD) (SMD (95% CI): 0.72 (0.21, 1.23), p-value <0.001) and R wave peak time (RWPT) (SMD (95% CI): 1.36 (0.8, 1.93), P < 0.001) were seen in the no-reflow group. The two groups had no significant difference regarding P wave peak time (PWPT), and P wave maximum duration (Pmax) on baseline ECG. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that prolonged QRSD, delayed RWPT, higher fQRS prevalence, and the presence of a Q wave on baseline ECG may predict the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon in patients undergoing PPCI.

Association of single child family with subjective health complaints in children and adolescents.

The number of single-child families has been increasing across developing countries during the last decades. We aimed to examine the association between being a single child (SC) and subjective health complaints (SHCs) in Iranian children and adolescents. This study was conducted as a part of the fifth survey of a national surveillance program entitled Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and Prevention of Adult Non-communicable disease (CASPIAN-V). This national survey included a total of 14,400 students 7-18 years and their parents from rural and urban areas in 30 provinces of Iran. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, and SHCs were measured using the questionnaire of the World Health Organization on Global School-based Health Survey (WHO-GSHS). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for the association of being an SC with SHCs. Data on 14,151 participants were available for this study, of whom 7.7% (1092) were SCs. The most frequent SHCs were irritability (37.1%, 95%CI: 36.3-37.9%), feeling nervous 32.5%, 95% CI: (31.7-33.3%), and headache 24.3%, 95%CI: (23.6-25.0% ). In the multivariate model, being an SC significantly increased the odds of dizziness [adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.37(1.08-1.72)] and backache complaint [1.22(1.01-1.47)]. The association of being an SC with other SHCs (feeling low, irritability, feeling nervous, difficulty in getting to sleep, headache, stomachache) was not statistically significant (p value > 0.05). Our results suggest that being an SC may be associated with higher odds of dizziness and backache complaints.

Socioeconomic inequality in violent behaviors, life dissatisfaction, and self-rated health in pediatric population: the CASPIAN-V study.

BACKGROUND: Bullying, being a victim of violent behaviors, life satisfaction (LS) and self-rated health (SRH) in children and adolescents, all have consistently been recognized as vital factors in school performance and future individual life. METHODS: This cross-sectional data secondary study was a part of the fifth Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and Prevention of Adult Non-communicable disease (CASPIAN-V) in 2015. A total of 14,400 students 7-18 years and their parents living in 30 provinces in Iran were studied. A validated questionnaire of the World Health Organization on Global School-based Health Survey (WHO-GSHS) was used to measure the outcomes and socioeconomic variables. Family's socioeconomic status (SES) was determined using principal component analysis (PCA). The crude and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval (CI)) were estimated using multiple logistic regressions for each outcome. RESULTS: A total of 14,274 students completed the study, of whom 50.6% were boys. Overall, the prevalence of bullying, being a victim, life dissatisfaction (LDS), and poor SRH among students was 35.6, 21.4, 21.1, and 19.0%, respectively. In multiple-logistic regression analysis (Adjusted OR, (95%CI), students with an illiterate father and mother (1.60, (1.25-2.04), 1.28, (1.03-1.61), unemployed father (1.58, (1.29-1.81)), and one-parent family (1.32, (1.05 - 1.64) had a higher odd of Poor-SRH. Besides, a family size larger than four members (1.14, (1.03-1.25), and low-SES (1.35, (1.15-1.56), and illiteracy of the mother (1.64, (1.30-2.08) had a direct association with LDS. Mother illiteracy also increased the odds of bullying (1.77, (1.45-2.16) and being a victim (1.58, (1.26-1.98). CONCLUSIONS: Some socioeconomic variables can be proposed as the statistically significant attribution of bullying and being a victim, LDS, and Poor-SRH in children and adolescents.

The effect of magnesium sulfate on maternal serum electrolytes and parathyroid hormone in pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate possible interactions of magnesium sulfate-the drug of choice in the management of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia-in response to a few case reports that revealed maternal electrolyte disturbances, especially symptomatic changes, following magnesium sulfate administration in pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Prospectively, women with pre-eclampsia were given 4 g of intravenous magnesium sulfate followed by a 2 g/h infusion up to 24 h after delivery. Sequential blood samples were drawn from each patient and used to measure the serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathyroid hormone. RESULTS: A total of 30 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia were evaluated. They were aged between 20 and 41 years with median gestational age of 37.6 (interquartile range 35.4-38.9) weeks. Only five patients reached the therapeutic window of magnesium in at least one of our measuring intervals during magnesium sulfate infusion. Plasma magnesium concentrations increased significantly during magnesium sulfate administration and dropped during the next 12 and 24 h after infusion discontinuation (P < 0.05). Fifteen of 30 (50%) patients developed asymptomatic hypocalcemia, mainly at hour 24 of infusion. Negative moderate correlations were detected between the calcium and magnesium concentrations at 12 and 24 hours of infusion (ρ = -0.390, P = 0.044 and ρ = 0.315, P = 0.096, respectively). None of the patients with hypocalcemia reached the therapeutic level of magnesium or experienced parallel hyperphosphatemia. Eleven of 30 (36.6%) patients developed hyperphosphatemia mainly at 2 and 12 h of magnesium sulfate infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Our study implies that magnesium sulfate could cause hypermagnesemia-induced hypocalcemia in women with pre-eclampsia, independent from parathyroid hormone. The negative correlations between calcium and magnesium concentrations could be indicative of dose-dependent associations between serum magnesium level and degree of hypocalcemia in our study.

Cardiac MRI Findings in COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Myocarditis: A Pooled Analysis of 468 Patients.

Understanding the pattern and severity of myocarditis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is imperative for improving the care of the patients, and cardiac evaluation by MRI plays a key role in this regard. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize cardiac MRI findings in COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis. We performed a comprehensive systematic review of literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using key terms covering COVID-19 vaccine, myocarditis, and cardiac MRI. Individual-level patient data (IPD) and aggregated-level data (AD) studies were pooled through a two-stage analysis method. For this purpose, all IPD were first gathered into a single data set and reduced to AD, and then this AD (from IPD studies) was pooled with existing AD (from the AD studies) using fixed/random effect models. I2 was used to assess the degree of heterogeneity, and the prespecified level of statistical significance (P value for heterogeneity) was <0.1. Based on meta-analysis of 102 studies (n = 468 patients), 79% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54%-97%) of patients fulfilled Lake Louise criteria (LLC) for diagnosis of myocarditis. Cardiac MRI abnormalities included elevated T2 in 72% (95% CI: 50%-90%), myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in 93% (95% CI: 83%-99%; nearly all with a subepicardial and/or midwall pattern), impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<50%) in 4% (95% CI: 1.0%-9.0%). Moreover, elevated T1 and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) (>30), reported only by some IPD studies, were detected in 74.5% (76/102) and 32% (16/50) of patients, respectively. In conclusion, our findings may suggest that over two-thirds of patients with clinically suspected myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination meet the LLC. COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis may show a similar pattern compared to other acute myocarditis entities. Notably, preserved LVEF is probably a common finding in these patients. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise as Adjunct Therapy on the Improvement of Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Case-Control Clinical Trial.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on negative and cognitive symptoms and simultaneous evaluation of brain and hippocampus volume in patients with schizophrenia. Forty patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group, in addition to pharmacological treatment, underwent a multi-session exercise program for 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, patients were assessed for cognitive status and negative symptoms using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), respectively. Total brain volume and hippocampus volume were also measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Overall, mean MMSE score significantly improved over time, but this improvement was greater in the intervention group (29%) compared to the control group (11%). The same was true for the PANSS negative score (21.5% vs. 53.5%). Absolute hippocampus volume during these 8 weeks, in exercise and control groups, increased from 6.24 to 7.11 and 6.44 to 6.59, respectively. The greater increase in volume obtained in the intervention group was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Exercise may be associated with improved cognitive function and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia; however, additional studies are warranted. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(5), 37-43.].

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in 2954 COVID-19 Adult Survivors: A Comprehensive Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have utilized MRI to determine the extent to which COVID-19 survivors may experience cardiac sequels after recovery. PURPOSE: To systematically review the main cardiac MRI findings in COVID-19 adult survivors. STUDY TYPE: Systematic review. SUBJECTS: A total of 2954 COVID-19 adult survivors from 16 studies. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), parametric mapping (T1-native, T2, T1-post (extracellular volume fraction [ECV]), T2-weighted sequences (myocardium/pericardium), at 1.5 T and 3  T. ASSESSMENT: A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Google scholar databases using Boolean operators and the relevant key terms covering COVID-19, cardiac injury, CMR, and follow-up. MRI data, including (if available) T1, T2, extra cellular volume, presence of myocardial or pericardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and left and right ventricular ejection fraction were extracted. STATISTICAL TESTS: The main results of the included studies are summarized. No additional statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of 1601 articles retrieved from the initial search, 12 cohorts and 10 case series met our eligibility criteria. The rate of raised T1 in COVID-19 adult survivors varied across studies from 0% to 73%. Raised T2 was detected in none of patients in 4 out of 15 studies, and in the remaining studies, its rate ranged from 2% to 60%. In most studies, LGE (myocardial or pericardial) was observed in COVID-19 survivors, the rate ranging from 4% to 100%. Myocardial LGE mainly had nonischemic patterns. None of the cohort studies observed myocardial LGE in "healthy" controls. Most studies found that patients who recovered from COVID-19 had a significantly greater T1 and T2 compared to participants in the corresponding control group. DATA CONCLUSION: Findings of MRI studies suggest the presence of myocardial and pericardial involvement in a notable number of patients recovered from COVID-19. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3.