Background Apart from infecting a large number of people around the world and causing the death of many people, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have changed the healthcare processes of other diseases by changing the allocation of health resources and changing people’s access or intention to healthcare systems. Objective To compare the incidence of endpoints marking delayed healthcare seeking in medical emergencies, before and during the pandemic. Methods Based on a PICO model, medical emergency conditions that need timely intervention was selected to be evaluated as separate panels. In a systematic literature review, PubMed was quarried for each panel for studies comparing the incidence of various medical emergencies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Markers of failure/disruption of treatment due to delayed referral were included in the meta-analysis for each panel. Result There was a statistically significant increased pooled median time of symptom onset to admission of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients; an increased rate of vasospasm of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage; and perforation rate in acute appendicitis; diabetic ketoacidosis presentation rate among Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus patients; and rate of orchiectomy among testicular torsion patients in comparison of pre-COVID-19 with COVID-19 cohorts; while there were no significant changes in the event rate of ruptured ectopic pregnancy and median time of symptom onset to admission in the cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients. Conclusions COVID-19 has largely disrupted the referral of patients for emergency medical care and patient-related delayed care should be addressed as a major health threat.
Background. Migraine is one of the most common types of headache, and it is the second most common cause of neurological disorders, with an annual prevalence of about 15% of the population. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BoNT-A on the duration and intensity of migraine attacks. In addition, we investigated the effective injection sites. Methods. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar from 2011 to 2021. Results. A total of 24 articles were included in the study. The use of BoNT-A in individuals suffering from chronic migraine (CM) decreases the frequency of migraine attacks per month, pain intensity, medication use, emergency visits, and migraine-related disabilities. The BoNT-A was well tolerated and leads to improved performance and better quality of life (QoL). Overall, treatment with BoNT-A in adults with CM is beneficial. In addition, the use of BoNT-A in individuals with vestibular migraine (VM) reduces the frequency of migraines and brings about the improvement of disability status caused by migraine headaches. Meanwhile, the use of BoNT-A reduces the frequency of migraine attacks per month among individuals with chronic refractory migraine (CRM). Conclusions. The use of BoNT-A is a low-cost option for the treatment of various kinds of migraines, including chronic, episodic, unilateral, and vestibular types. BoNT-A can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks per month and diminish the severity of pain.
Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) has clinical applications in treating diverse malignancies and autoimmune disorders; at the same time, it also has harmful effects on the body tissues, particularly the genitals. The most significant side effects of CP are changing the reproductive system’s function and infertility. Objective: This study determines the Ephedra hydroalcoholic extract (EP) role on testicular tissue and the pituitary-gonadal axis in CP-treated male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 adult Wistar rats were separated into 6 groups (n = 8/each): control, sham, CP recipients, and CP recipients with gavage-fed EP (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg). On the 29th day, the blood of the weighed animals’ was drawn from their heart, and serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone were measured. After preparing testicular tissue segments, cells were counted. Results: While CP decreased follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels (p < 0.05), the use of EP changed them and even reached the control. Serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone increased significantly in all EP groups compared to the control and CP groups. Compared to the control, a significant decrease in Total antioxidant capacity and plasma glutathione peroxidase was observed in the CP groups. EP (all doses) significantly increased their concentration compared to the CP group (p < 0.05); significant reduction in serum total oxidant status and malondialdehyde in CP groups changed by EP (p < 0.05). Although CP’s role on spermatogonia counts (57.5 ± 5.2 in CP, 67.1 ± 6.0 in control), higher doses of EP had no significant effect on this but did affect spermatocyte and spermatid cells count. Conclusion: Due to its antioxidant characteristics, EP mitigated the effects of CP on the investigated parameters in rats. Key words: Ephedra, Cyclophosphamide, Cancer, Spermatogenesis, Sex hormones, ROS.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.