Operative management and outcomes in patients with myxomas: A single-center experience

BackgroundCardiac myxoma is a rare cardiac tumor that may be asymptomatic or can cause embolization or intracardiac obstruction, leading to heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and arrhythmia. This study aims to report an 11-year experience of a single center in the management of cardiac myxoma.MethodThis study is a single-center retrospective case series. Eighty cases of cardiac myxoma were collected in Ibn Albitar's specialized center for cardiac surgery. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to make the preoperative diagnosis in all patients. The surgeries were undertaken through the standard approach of a median sternotomy. All four cardiac chambers were thoroughly explored for additional myxomas. The major objective of the operations was complete tumor resection.ResultThe mean age of the patients was 46.3 years. Females (67.5%) were predominant over males (32.5%). Shortness of breath was the most common symptom (86.25%). The left atrium was the most affected site (83.75%), followed by the right atrium (13.75%). Coronary artery bypass grafting was required as the secondary or associated intervention in 19 (23.75%) cases. The recurrence rate was 11.25%, with a mortality rate of 3.75%.ConclusionRecurrence and tumor embolism are risks of surgical intervention for myxoma. Good preparation using transthoracic echocardiography as a diagnostic tool and standard median sternotomy to complete resection of the tumors can decrease the rate of recurrence, embolism, and even mortality

Myocardial infarction following COVID-19 vaccine administration; a systematic review.

IntroductionCovid-19 vaccines have been assessed in randomized trials, which are designed to establish efficacy and safety, but are insufficient in power to detect rare adverse outcomes. Among the adverse cardiac events associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are inflammations (e.g., pericarditis or myocarditis), thrombosis, and ischemia.ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to evaluate the reported cases of myocardial infarction (MI) after COVID-19 vaccinations.MethodWeb of Science, MEDLINE on OVID, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for English-language papers published until March 25, 2022.ResultsThis study included 15 papers (10 case reports and 5 case series). In total, 20 individuals were included who had received COVID-19 vaccines and experienced MI. Males (55%) reported more adverse occurrences than females (45%) across the majority of event categories. The mean time from the administration of the vaccine to the onset of symptoms was 2 days (0-10 days). The AstraZeneca vaccine was responsible for more than half of the reported events. In the majority of cases, the event developed after receiving the first dose of vaccination.ConclusionMI related to COVID19 vaccination is a rare, but serious and life-threatening condition. Chest discomfort should be regarded as a warning sign, particularly in people who have been administered a dose of the vaccine within the previous two days

Prevalence and predictive factors associated with stunting in preschool children in a governorate of Iraq: a community-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionThe prevalence and risk factors of stunting in various geographical regions have been well investigated. However, not enough data exists regarding the communities in Iraq. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of stunting in preschool children in Halabja governorate.MethodsThe required data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire form from the children’s parents. Then, the height and weight of the children were measured. According to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards and using the WHO Anthro Survey Analyser software, children were classified as “stunted” when their height-for-age z-score was below two standard deviations.ResultsA total of 646 children were included, of which 310 (48%) were male and 336 (52%) were female. The gestational age of 556 (86%) children was 9 months, while 84 (13%) were born between 7–9 months, and 6 (1%) were born in 7 months. Regarding feeding during the first 2 years of life, 229 children (35.4%) were exclusively breastfed, 93 (14.4%) were bottle-fed, and 324 (50.2%) had mixed feeding. The prevalence of stunting was 7.9% in the sample pool, with 4.6% of females and 3.3% of males. Among stunted children, 6.35% were term babies, and 1.55% were preterm babies. None of the studied factors had a significant association with stunting.ConclusionThe prevalence of stunting in the studied population was 7.9%. However, we could not find any significant association between the studied factors and stunting. Thus, the factors that may significantly affect stunting in our area of study, especially the historical chemical warfare side effects, need to be more extensively investigated in future studies

Postauricular pilonidal sinus: a case report with literature review

Introduction: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) usually occurs in sacrococcygeal region, with the rare extracoccygeal pilonidal sinus form representing only 2.2% of all pilonidal sinuses. We report a rare postauricular pilonidal sinus with literature review.Methods: Case report.Results: A 25-year-old man, presented with a postauricular nodule with chronic discharge for last three months. On examination, there was a 1 x 1 centimeter firm, tender nodule at the left post auricular area. Under local anaesthesia, the nodule was excited in toto and the wound closed primarily. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PSD.Conclusion: The post-auricular region is another rare area of atypical PSD occurring. It may present as a chronic nodule, and excision with primary closure under local anaesthesia may lead to uneventful recovery

Simultaneous Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome and Leydig Cell Tumor in a Patient with Azoospermia: A Rare Case Report

Testicular cancers comprise 1–1.5% of entire cancers in men, and sex cord-stromal tumors include 5% of testicular cancers. This study aims to report a simultaneous Sertoli cell-only syndrome and Leydig cell tumor in the same patient. A 32-year-old man presented with a history of primary infertility for 3 years. Physical examination revealed normal secondary sexual characteristics. Two successive seminal fluid analyses revealed azoospermia. A scrotal ultrasound scan showed a 28 × 27 mm hypoechoic and hypervascular right testicular mass. Right radical orchiectomy and simultaneous left testicular biopsy were conducted. The histopathological examination revealed Sertoli cell-only syndrome and Leydig cell tumor with focal Leydig cell hyperplasia. Reversing fertility following the management of Leydig cell tumor is rarely mentioned in the literature. A study revealed that fertility recovered following 4 months of management in a primary infertile male. However, infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia due to SCOS can only have a child by testicular sperm extraction technique. Despite the rare occurrence of Leydig cell tumor, it could be seen in association with Sertoli cell-only syndrome in infertile men with azoospermia. Clinical examination and imaging studies are important in these patients as the possibility of having a testicular mass is high among them

Recurrent intermammary pilonidal sinus: a rare case with literature review.

Introduction: the usual area for pilonidal sinus disease is the sacrococcygeal region. The aim of this study is to report an extremely rare condition of recurrent intermammary pilonidal disease with a brief literature review.  Case report:   A 22 -year-old married lady complained of discharge, pain, and redness in the intermammary region for 1 year.  On examination, there is a single discharging sinus and an old scar around it. Excisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pilonidal sinus. Conclusion:  However its rare, intermammary pilonidal sinus may recur and require surgical re-intervention

Lists of predatory journals and publishers: a review for future refinement

Although predatory publishers are increasingly recognized, universally accepted criteria for defining predatory journals are lacking. These journals challenge the scholarly community by blurring the line between legitimate and questionable publishing practices. Several lists and reports of predatory journals have been published, which offer valuable insights; however, they are not devoid of criticism. Beall’s list, although criticized for its inclusion criteria, is currently managed anony-mously and updated infrequently. Cabells’ list uses an extensive array of inclusion criteria, some of which are similar to those used in Beall’s list. Several of these cri-teria are redundant and fail to detect predatory practices, and using all of them in evaluating a journal is seldom practicable. Kscien’s list has emerged as a promising alternative for identifying predatory publishers or journals. However, it requires refinement, potentially through creating a distinct list supported by unequivocal evidence, such as accepting a fake manuscript (ascertained through a sting opera-tion). The present review seeks to catalyze research on identifying predatory jour-nals and publishers by comparing existing lists and suggesting new techniques for detecting predatory practices