Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation versus Other Fertility Techniques for Chemoradiation-Induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Women: A Systematic Review and Future Directions.

Current advances in cancer therapy have increased survival, emphasizing the need for life quality improvement. Fertility loss is common post-chemotherapy. Current guidelines establish embryo and oocyte cryopreservation to address premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Ovarian tissue cryopreservation has also recently become an acceptable option for fertility preservation, particularly as it is the only option for pre-pubertal patients. Few definitions for optimum fertility outcomes, and few systematic reviews comparing embryo, oocyte, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation as a means of fertility preservation (FP) in pre- and post-pubertal female cancer patients exist. This systematic review aims to improve understanding of gonadotoxic effects of chemoradiation therapy in cancer patients, to analyze the different fertility preservation techniques and procedures available to women with chemoradiation induced ovarian insufficiency, and to compare and recognize the benefits of each technique in restoring fertility, sexual hormone function, and quality of life. Searches were conducted electronically on PubMed, Cochrane, and EBSCOHost, including clinical trials, prospective, and retrospective studies of female cancer patients undergoing anti-cancer therapy, with predefined MeSH terminology. Data were collected, analyzed, and compared. Non-randomized clinical studies were evaluated for risk bias through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. In total, 23 studies were included. From there, 647 patients opted for oocyte cryopreservation, 267 for embryo cryopreservation, and 1382 for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). A total of 175, 18, and 121 live births resulted respectively from oocyte, embryo, and OTC, respectively. Studies without live births discussed other fertility markers as indicators of improvement in sexual hormone function and fertility. The gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy call for FP intervention. Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation/implantation are well-established procedures. With changing trends and life quality consideration, OTC is a promising interventional method for pre-pubertal patients facing the prospect of fertility loss.

Effectiveness of Dermal Regeneration Templates in Managing Acute Full-thickness and Deep Dermal Burn Injuries: A Comparison with Split-thickness Skin Grafts.

Background: The therapeutic challenge of managing acute full-thickness burns is significantly ameliorated with the introduction of dermal regeneration templates (DRTs). However, an updated synthesis of evidence-based data on the efficacy and safety of different DRTs is required. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines aims to evaluate the role of various DRTs in comparison with split-thickness skin grafting in managing acute burn injuries after excision and debridement. A total of 28 randomized clinical trials were assessed, encompassing a wide array of DRTs. Results: The study outcomes pointed to the diverse effectiveness of DRTs, with Integra demonstrating peripheral nerve reinnervation potential and TransCyte promoting rapid re-epithelialization. Some DRTs showed scar formation and skin quality comparable to those of autologous skin grafts. In terms of wound infection, certain treatments, including TransCyte, exhibited a significantly low infection rate. The evaluation of scar quality suggested that various interventions produced acceptable or improved outcomes without hypertrophic scarring. Recovery rates after the interventions displayed a range, with certain treatments showing rapid recovery and satisfactory results. Conclusions: The current systematic review points to the potential benefits of DRTs in managing burn wounds. Further research is necessary to shed light on the long-term impacts of these interventions on wound healing, scar quality, and patient recovery.

Statistical Mechanics Metrics in Pairing and Parsing In Silico and Phenotypic Data of a Novel Genetic NFκB1 (c.T638A) Variant.

(1) Background: Mutations in NFκB1, a transcriptional regulator of immunomodulating proteins, are a known cause of inborn errors of immunity. Our proband is a 22-year-old male with a diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), cytopenias with massive splenomegaly, and nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver. Genetic studies identified a novel, single-point mutation variant in NFκB1, c. T638A p. V213E. (2) Methods: Next-generation panel sequencing of the patient uncovered a novel single-point mutation in the NFκB1 gene that was modeled using the I-TASSER homology-modeling software, and molecular dynamics were assessed using the YASARA2 software (version 20.14.24). (3) Results: This variant replaces valine with glutamic acid at position 213 in the NFκB1 sequence. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamic studies showed altered dynamics in and around the rel homology domain, ankyrin regions, and death domain of the protein. We postulate that these changes alter overall protein function. (4) Conclusions: This case suggests the pathogenicity of a novel variant using protein-modeling techniques and molecular dynamic simulations.

An unusually high prevalence of isolated prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma among Saudi patients: A registry-based study.

Objective: We conduct a secondary analysis on the demographics, tumor characteristics, survival, and risk factors for mortality among patients with prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This is a registry-based retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the KSA. The data were collected from the Saudi Cancer Registry, which collects tumor data from all private, military, and health ministry hospitals in Saudi Arabia through five regional offices. Results: Among 3607 prostate cancer patients detected during the specified period, 209 (5.8%) had ductal adenocarcinoma. The median interquartile range age of patients was 72.0 years (64.0-78.0). Adenocarcinoma lesions were malignant among all the patients. Grade III tumors were most frequently apparent lesions (61.2%), followed by Grade II tumors (26.3%), Grade I tumors (7.2%), and Grade VI tumors (5.3%). A total of 33 patients died, representing 15.8% of the whole sample. The 1-year survival rate was 78.1%. More than a third of patients who were residing in the Western region deceased (38.0%), whereas no deaths were reported in other regions with a statistically significant difference based on regions (P < 0.001). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first registry-based study to investigate PDA in the KSA; these efforts were done to further understand this deadly condition and to further enhance patient care in the KSA.

An Unusual Case of Subacute Appendicitis and Intestinal Spirochetosis.

Intestinal spirochetosis is a gastrointestinal infection with vague and inconsistent symptoms. It similarly presents multiple gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and appendicitis. We present a case of a 27-year-old female with intestinal spirochetosis who was later found to have subacute appendicitis. Further understanding of the disease and a set of criteria may have to be created for its management.

The Increasing Trends in Cases of the Most Common Cancers in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer epidemiology in Saudi Arabia (SA) differs from that of the USA with respect to types of common malignancies. Hematologic malignancies are among the top five cancers prevalent in SA, including lymphoma and leukemia. Most common malignancies in SA also include breast, thyroid, and colorectal cancer. We sought to evaluate the current trends of these most common cancers in SA. METHODS: Electronic search analysis pertaining to Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, breast, colorectal, and thyroid cancer were carried out from two databases: The Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). Data on prevalence and incident frequency were collected. Trends from 2001 to 2014 were calculated and compared between SCR and SEER. FINDINGS: Leukemia is the most common cancer type among males in SA, followed by colorectal cancer. Hodgkin's lymphoma has become the third most common malignancy among Saudi males. Percentage of women's breast cancer and thyroid cancer among total cancer cases have increased by 10.5% and 1.7% respectively from 2001 to 2014, making them the first and second most common cancers in women respectively. Trends of thyroid cancer among males has been stable. Colorectal cancer stands as third most common among Saudi females. INTERPRETATIONS: There have been significant changes in trends of incidence rate of the most common cancers in SA among both males and females over the past decade. Breast cancer rates have risen at an alarming pace. More epidemiological studies need to be conducted to evaluate etiological factors at environmental, molecular, and genetic levels.