A meta-analysis evaluating wound infections and other complications following distal versus complete gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

A meta-analysis investigation was carried out to measure the wound infections (WIs) and other postoperative problems (PPs) of distal gastrectomy (DG) compared with total gastrectomy (TG) for gastric cancer (GC). A comprehensive literature investigation till February 2023 was used and 1247 interrelated investigations were reviewed. The 12 chosen investigations enclosed 2896 individuals with GC in the chosen investigations' starting point, 1375 of them were TG, and 1521 were DG. Odds ratio (OR) in addition to 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to compute the value of the WIs and other PPs of DG compared with TG for GC by the dichotomous approaches and a fixed or random model. TG had significantly higher overall PP (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.15-2.18, p = 0.005), WIs (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.07-2.67, p = 0.02), peritoneal abscess (PA) (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.67-5.36, p < 0.001), anastomotic leakage (AL) (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.21-2.97, p = 0.005) and death (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.17-4.37, p = 0.02) compared to those with DG in individuals with GC. TG had significantly higher overall PP, WIs, PA, AL and death compared to those with DG in individuals with GC. However, care must be exercised when dealing with its values because of the low sample size of some of the nominated investigations for the meta-analysis.

A Holistic View of Psoriasis: Examining Its Association With Dyslipidemia and Obesity in a Decade-Long Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Psoriasis is a multifaceted inflammatory condition with systemic implications, impacting not only the skin but also various organs and overall health. It is associated with mood disorders, malignancy, infections, and components of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and obesity. The coexistence of psoriasis with obesity poses additional challenges, as obesity worsens psoriasis severity and reduces treatment effectiveness. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to further understand the associations between psoriasis, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Our systematic review of six studies revealed significant links between psoriasis and both dyslipidemia and obesity. Individuals with psoriasis exhibited a 1.40-fold higher likelihood of dyslipidemia (odds ratio (OR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-1.58) and a 1.37-fold higher likelihood of obesity (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.23-1.53) compared to those without psoriasis. These findings emphasize the systemic nature of psoriasis and its implications for metabolic health. In conclusion, this review underscores the importance of holistic management for psoriasis patients. Further research is warranted to explore underlying mechanisms and develop targeted therapeutic strategies. These findings contribute valuable insights to promote the overall well-being of individuals with psoriasis.

Incorporating Technology in Pharmacy Education: Students' Preferences and Learning Outcomes.

Introduction The integration of technology in pharmacy education has led to significant changes, making it essential to examine its impact on student learning outcomes. With the rise of emerging technologies, such as game-based learning and augmented reality, new pedagogical approaches have been introduced. However, these technologies also bring challenges that necessitate well-thought-out responses from educational institutions, especially considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning formats. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with pharmacy students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, utilizing stratified random sampling for data collection. The study employed a validated questionnaire to gather information on students' use of technology, their preferences, and their perceived learning outcomes. The analysis was carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 29) (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), ensuring adherence to the ethical standards set by the institutional review board. Results The study, involving 508 pharmacy students from Saudi Arabia, revealed that a significant majority regularly use technology in their education, particularly online learning management systems and virtual labs, indicating a shift toward more accessible and efficient learning methods. A notable portion of the students acknowledged the beneficial impact of technology on their learning, with 86.3% reporting improved knowledge retention, 92% noting enhanced skills, and 87.1% observing better academic performance. However, the study also uncovered challenges, with about half of the students facing issues mainly related to distractions while finding technological complexity less problematic. The support from educational institutions in addressing these issues was found to be moderate. These findings underscore the crucial role of technology in enhancing pharmacy education while highlighting the need for more comprehensive institutional support and strategic planning to address the challenges faced by students. Conclusions Technology plays a vital role in the modernization of pharmacy education, significantly aiding in knowledge retention, skill development, and academic performance. Despite the widespread use of technology, the varied experiences and challenges encountered by students underscore the need for increased institutional support and strategic planning. Education must adapt alongside technological advancements to cater to the diverse needs of learners, highlighting the importance of further research into the long-term effects and optimal strategies for technology integration in pharmacy education.