Safety and Efficacy of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in the Detection and Prevention of Cardiac Arrhythmia - A Systematic Review.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) have been recommended as an effective therapy in treating sudden cardiac deaths. This study evaluates the safety and efficacies of ICDs in detecting arrhythmias. Different ICDs, such as the transvenous cardioverter defibrillator (TV-ICD) and the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD), are used. This systematic review identified Embase, PubMed, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), and Web of Science as the primary electronic databases for research. Supplementation of the available articles for the review was done using Google Scholar. The population, exposure, control, outcome, and studies (PECOS) criteria were used in this study. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) standard checklist. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used in this systematic review. Two researchers conducted the extraction of data. A pre-designed Excel worksheet (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington) was used in the recording of extracted data. Eight studies were identified for use in this systematic review. Safety of the ICDs was observed with the minimum number of reported inappropriate shocks. Studies conducted identified that women had a lower number of incidences when a long detection setting by sex was conducted. Strategic programming of ICDs was noted as effective in lowering the levels of mortality. Studies claimed that the reduction of inappropriate shocks were important in the reduction of myocardial damage, which resulted in the mortality rate among the patients decreasing. Having high cutoff rates and long intervals for detection in ICD programming was noted to help in reducing ICD therapy intervention among patients. Differences among the male and female populations were inconsequential in the efficacy and safety of ICDs. Their effectiveness in sensitivity, pacing success, and defibrillation success were high and very significant. ICDs were safe in their use in the detection of arrhythmias.

Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitor Use in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With Heart Failure.

The advances in the development of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have expanded the variety of favorable approaches to treating diabetes mellitus. It is possible to have an improvement in insulin resistance and natriuresis by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and glucose at the proximal tubules in the kidney, and a decrease in cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In addition, SGLT2i provides renoprotection by reducing intraglomerular higher blood pressure. The usage of SGLT2i also provides hemodynamic and metabolic benefits. SGLT2i demonstrates large cardiovascular benefits in patients both with and without diabetes, as well as in existing heart failure patients. These SGLT2i have direct and indirect effects on the kidney, likely contributing to stated cardiovascular benefits. Here we review the literature on the direct effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in diabetic patients with heart failure (HF). We assume that the benefit in cardiac cells modulated by SGLT2i is due to the inhibition of sodium transporters affecting intracellular sodium homeostasis. In conclusion, the sodium transporters in cardiac cells provide, at least partly, an example of the clinical benefits of SGLT2i observed in HF patients.

The Key Role of Glutathione Compared to Curcumin in the Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review.

In recent years, many documented cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been on the rise. The complicated pathophysiology of the disease makes it challenging to manage. Two databases, PubMed and Google Scholar, have a detailed screening using keywords and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) combinations. The words are "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus OR SLE OR Lupus," "Glutathione," and "Curcumin." Articles had a detailed process of screening and quality appraisal. Using the English language as a primary filtering parameter, papers over the last 20 years, dating from 2002 to 2022, are the basis of this review. We reviewed all possible human studies documenting the use of curcumin and glutathione for treating SLE. A total of 15 articles are part of this systematic review. Curcumin and glutathione can act as potent drugs for treating lupus. Curcumin can be a more promising alternative since it operates on various pathways and is a more easily accessible source.

Efficacy and Safety of Medical Marijuana in Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review.

Medical marijuana treatment for migraine is becoming more common, although the legality and societal acceptance of marijuana for medical purposes in the United States have been challenged by the stigma attached to it as a recreational drug. These substances function to reduce nociception and decrease the frequency of migraine by having an impact on the endocannabinoid system. Our study reviewed the clinical response, dosing, and side effects of marijuana in migraine management. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a literature search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, and nine studies were included in the systematic review. The studies demonstrated that medical marijuana has a significant clinical response by reducing the length and frequency of migraines. No severe adverse effects were noted. Due to its effectiveness and convenience, medical marijuana therapy may be helpful for patients suffering from migraines. However, additional clinical trials and observational studies with longer follow-ups are required to study the efficacy and safety of the drug.

A Molecular Basis Approach of Eczema and Its Link to Depression and Related Neuropsychiatric Outcomes: A Review.

"What about my eczema do I love the most? The hurt? A scratch? The humiliation of the public? Oh, there are so many options available!" Studies have shown an association between atopic eczema (AE), a common inflammatory skin condition, and an increased risk of mental health problems. Despite this, experts are still examining the causes of the links between common mental diseases (such as depression and anxiety) and skin conditions. We collected studies that were published in the past 10 years. We searched the following databases: PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Further relevant research was assessed by examining the bibliographies of eligible studies and related ones. Two reviewers looked at the titles and abstracts of the studies to see if they were eligible, and then they read the full texts. We went through eczema and depression relationships, their etiopathogenesis, molecular basis, immune response, the role of genetic factors, and possible interactions between neurons and the immune system. Another possible contributing factor could be a change in cutaneous microbiota in eczema patients. Part of the initial connection could be explained by psychological stress, which further leads to depression in eczema patients. Healthcare professionals treating eczema patients must be aware of the comorbidity of mental problems and the potential that people with poor mental health may need social or emotional support. Patients with eczema, especially youngsters, can benefit from routine health checks since they can help identify neuropsychiatric issues like depression early and lessen the burden of both physical sickness and poor mental health. Given that AE is a condition that appears to be related to depression and anxiety, more research with larger samples is needed to determine a potential role for targeted mental health screening in people with AE, as well as the possibility of mental health modification through improved AE control (e.g., using new biologic agents).

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Methylphenidate in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

The treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents can be challenging and involve a combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacological approaches. Using recent literature, we aim to identify the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and methylphenidate (MPH) in reducing the symptoms and improving the quality of life. The investigators conducted a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Investigators independently conducted a routine search on PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published within the last five years through July 30, 2022. Fourteen studies were identified as generally good quality but with some limitations. The final analysis included 2098 patients with an age range of three to eighteen. Nine studies reporting the efficacy of MPH in children, adolescents, or both had different formulations and doses. Six studies documenting the effectiveness of CBT had varying sessions, duration per therapy, modality of administration, and participants. The diagnostic assessment measures showed that the parent symptom rating was the highest and appeared in 11 studies, reflecting the burden on the family. In addition, a structured-self-rated questionnaire rating appeared in eight studies, and two diagnostic assessment measures, teacher symptom rating and investigators, appeared in six. The studies demonstrated significant reductions in the primary symptoms of ADHD at assessment, which led to improved behavioral and functional status with a reduced impact on family and society. Further trials are needed to understand the benefits of CBT and MPH when combined to reduce psychiatry co-morbidities and improve learning and overall quality of life in the long term.

Bone Alkaline Phosphatase and Urine Hydroxyproline Assay in Pre and Postmenopausal Women in the State of Sikkim and its Correlation with Bone Mineral Density.

Introduction: Osteoporosis could be viewed as a metabolic disease. The WHO guidelines for diagnosing osteoporosis reflect structural damage only and not the metabolic imbalance that leads to it. Biochemical markers of bone turnover have been shown to provide valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring metabolic bone disease. The present study analyzed bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and urinary hydroxyproline in pre- and postmenopausal women and correlated them with changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in the state of Sikkim. The study also intended to know the ethnicity-based disease burden in Sikkim. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was done at a tertiary hospital in Sikkim. Blood and 24-h urine samples from 50 premenopausal and 50 postmenopausal women were analyzed for total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), BALP, and Urine Hydroxyproline. BMD was measured using the quantitative ultrasound technique by Achilles densitometer. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in serum calcium (P = 0.01), ALP (P = 0.01), and urine hydroxyproline (P = 0.03) levels in postmenopausal women as compared to premenopausal women. Although ALP was higher in postmenopausal women, BALP isoform was more elevated in premenopausal women (P = 0.001). BMD was significantly lower in postmenopausal women (P < 0.001). It was also noted that there was a significant difference in BMD between tribal and nontribal populations (P = 0.003). Total ALP and BALP as the bone formation marker and urine hydroxyproline as a bone resorption marker added statistically significant r to BMD prediction (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, BALP combined with Urine Hydroxyproline was helpful as a screening biomarker to predict osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

The evolving relationship between conservative states and access to contraception.

Poor access to contraception can lead to several undesired health outcomes, including high rates of unintended pregnancy, high rates of teen pregnancy, spontaneous preterm delivery, preeclampsia and maternal death. Properly addressing these public health issues often require a coordinated response at the state government level. States with conservative legislatures have traditionally fought attempts to expand access to contraception. However, several of these states are now implementing policies that increase access to their citizens. While the motives for each state differ, the goals are the same: reduce poor health outcomes by increasing access to contraception.

"Metabolic Syndrome and Its Risk Determinants in Sikkim": A Glimpse from a Hospital Study.

Sikkim has been reported to have the highest percentage of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in the country. The study aimed to focus its precursor termed 'Metabolic Syndrome' (MetS) with special attention to its risk determinants as a measure to promote awareness in preventing the rise in number of these non communicable diseases in the state with only 6,10,577 inhabitants. Of 361 participants, 33.5% were diagnosed MetS as per the harmonized MetS criteria, 64.5% deemed non-MetS comprised of participants with "2 Risk", "1 Risk" and "0 Risk" for MetS, however not enough (3 or more) to be categorized as MetS. A "large WC + elevated BP + raised FBS"; "large WC + elevated BP" and "large WC" were the different types of risk combinations found frequently in the "3 Risk", "2 Risk" and "1 Risk" category respectively. MetS was most common among the females and highly found in 51-60 years of age. Ethnically "Bhutia/Lepcha/Tamang/Sherpa" were diagnosed with highest percentage of MetS followed by "Nepalese" and "Others". The chief contributing factor to compose MetS in the female population was a large WC. We conclude, Diabetes and Hypertension are indeed prevailing in Sikkim and that the presence of either an increased waist circumference or an elevated blood pressure mandates a check for the remaining four risk factors for MetS, rendering worthwhile to keep an account of MetS risk types by stratification to comprehend the influence of socio-cultural and ethno-geographical factors in causing MetS.

The piloting of a culturally centered American Indian family prevention program: a CBPR partnership between Mescalero Apache and the University of New Mexico.

The Mescalero Apache Family Listening Program (MAFLP) is a culturally centered family prevention program with third, fourth, and fifth graders; a parent/caregiver; and a family elder. The program follows a positive youth development model to develop stronger communication and shared cultural practices between elders, parents, and youth in the tribe to reduce substance initiation of use among the youth. The MAFLP was created using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in partnership with the University of New Mexico. The research focus of MAFLP is centered on the adaptation of a family curriculum from a Navajo and Pueblo version of the Family Listening Program to an Apache version, the establishment of a (Apache) Tribal Research Team, and the piloting of the curriculum with Apache families. MAFLP was piloted twice, and evaluation measures were collected focused on formative and impact evaluation. This article provides a background on Mescalero Apache then introduces the Navajo and Pueblo version of a Family Listening and Family Circle Program, respectively, next, the CBPR research partnership between Mescalero Apache and the University of New Mexico and the creation of a Mescalero Apache Tribal Research Team followed by the development and adaptation of a Mescalero Apache Family Listening Program including implementation and evaluation, and concluding with preliminary findings.

Endothelin-1 contributes to increased NFATc3 activation by chronic hypoxia in pulmonary arteries.

Chronic hypoxia (CH) activates the Ca(2+)-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells isoform c3 (NFATc3) in mouse pulmonary arteries. However, the mechanism of this response has not been explored. Since we have demonstrated that NFATc3 is required for CH-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling, establishing how CH activates NFATc3 is physiologically significant. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to CH-induced NFATc3 activation. We propose that this mechanism requires increased pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and stimulation of RhoA/Rho kinase (ROK), leading to calcineurin activation and actin cytoskeleton polymerization, respectively. We found that: 1) CH increases pulmonary arterial pre-pro-ET-1 mRNA expression and lung RhoA activity; 2) inhibition of ET receptors, calcineurin, L-type Ca(2+) channels, and ROK blunts CH-induced NFATc3 activation in isolated intrapulmonary arteries from NFAT-luciferase reporter mice; and 3) both ET-1-induced NFATc3 activation in isolated mouse pulmonary arteries ex vivo and ET-1-induced NFATc3-green fluorescence protein nuclear import in human PASMC depend on ROK and actin polymerization. This study suggests that CH increases ET-1 expression, thereby elevating PASMC [Ca(2+)](i) and RhoA/ROK activity. As previously demonstrated, elevated [Ca(2+)](i) is required to activate calcineurin, which dephosphorylates NFATc3, allowing its nuclear import. Here, we demonstrate that ROK increases actin polymerization, thus providing structural support for NFATc3 nuclear transport.

Serum nitric oxide status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sikkim.

BACKGROUND: Serum nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a fundamental signal associated with the endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. AIMS: To compare serum nitric oxide level among type 2 diabetic patients along with other biochemical parameters and to compare it with that of normal population in Sikkim. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This prospective study was carried out in the Biochemistry Department in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Sikkim on 50 type 2 diabetics compared to 100 non-diabetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The un-hemolyzed blood sample was collected for estimation of biochemical parameters. Griess reaction was used for indirect assay of stable decomposition products in serum(serum nitrite and nitrate levels) as an index of NO generation. The comparison of different parameters between cases and control was done by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: There was significant difference when age- and sex-matched cases and controls were compared in regard to waist circumference and body mass index. The values of fasting and postprandial serum glucose, and lipid profile between study group and control group differed significantly. The mean serum level of NO in the study and control group was 43.83 ± 11.3 µmoles/L and 58.85 ± 12.8 µmoles/L respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To sum up, serum NO was observed significantly low in diabetic participants as compared to control, along with difference in other biochemical parameters.

Serum malondialdehyde level: Surrogate stress marker in the Sikkimese diabetics.

BACKGROUND: The pbreakdown of phospholipids lead to accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) that is preferred as a surrogate marker of oxidative stress in diabetics. OBJECTIVE: To compare serum MDA levels along with other biochemical parameters between type 2 diabetic patients with and without complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Sikkim on 60 type 2 diabetics and compared with 100 non-diabetic participants. The un-hemolyzed blood samples were used for estimation of biochemical parameters; MDA was estimated in serum by using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and 1% thiobarbituric acid (TBA). Whole blood was used for estimation of glycated hemoglobin. The comparison of different parameters between cases and control was calculated by using Student's t test. RESULTS: In the study and control groups, no significant difference was noted with regard to independent variables. The fasting and postprandial serum glucose along with glycated hemoglobin from whole blood and the lipid profile differed significantly between the study and control groups. Overall, tmean serum MDA level in the study group was significantly higher thanin the controls. Male sex, addiction to tobacco (smoking and smokeless inclusive), longer duration of diabetes (≥5 years), and presence of complications (both microvascular and macrovascular) significantly increased the MDA level. CONCLUSION: To sum up, the serum MDA level was observed to be significantly high in diabetics with and without complication along with other parameters.