Family Members’ Attitudes Regarding Family Presence During Resuscitation of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Context: Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is a controversial debate throughout the world. Experts believe that FPDRis a cultural and ethnical issue and that countries have different views regarding this matter. The aim of this study is a systematicreview and meta-analysis of all available studies assessing patient families’ views regarding their presence during resuscitation.Evidence Acquisition: Studies reported attitudes of the patients’ relatives toward FPDR were eligible for inclusion. Case reports,letters, opinion pieces, and reviews were excluded from the study. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL,Cochrane library,Web of Science, SCOPUS, PsycInfo, and other related databases based on selected keywords. The qualities of studieswere assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and STROBE statement. Comprehensive meta-analysis (version-2)was used for data analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q-statistic and the I2 statistic. Publication bias was detectedthrough funnel plot.Results: A total of 18 studies were selected, including 10 cross-sectionals and 8 control trials. The results were categorized in threeitems: tendency for being present, satisfaction, and coping. A meta-analysis was done for 9 descriptive cross-sectional studies. Theevent rate of being present was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.60 - 0.83), which was statistically significant (P = 0.001), whereas the event rate ofcoping was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.48 - 0.73) and was not statistically significant.Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the patients’ families tend to be present during resuscitation and believe thatsome rules should support FPDR. In terms of anxiety disorders and PTSD, when there were more intervals, family’s presence andtheir emotional supports had a positive effect on them. However, the role of the medical staff cannot be ignored in this regard

Prognostic value of high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) over-expression in cancer progression

The high mobility group A2 (HMGA2; also called HMGI-C) gene is an architectural transcription factor that belonging to the high mobility group AT-hook (HMGA) gene family. HMGA2 is aberrantly regulated in several human tumors. Over-expression of HMGA2 is correlated with a higher risk of metastasis and an unfavorable prognosis in patients with cancer. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the clinic-pathological and prognostic value of HMGA2 overexpression in different human tumors. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and ISI Web of Science. Hazard ratios (HRs)/odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association between HMGA2 expression and overall survival (OS)/progression free survival (PFS)/disease free survival (DFS). A total of 5319 patients with 19 different types of cancer from 35 articles were evaluated. Pooled data analysis indicated that increased HMGA2 expression in cancer patients predicted a poor OS (HR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.6–1.81; P < 0.001; fixed-effect model). In subgroup analyses, high HMGA2 expression was particularly associated with poor OS in individuals with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.83–1.96; fixed-effect model) and HNSCC cancer (HR-1.78, 95%CI: 1.44–2.21; fixed-effect model). Over-expression of HMGA2 was associated with vascular invasion (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.05–0.49; P = 0.001) and lymphatic invasion (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.06–3.38; P = 0.032). Further studies should be conducted to validate the prognostic value of HMGA2 for patients with GI cancers

Role of anesthesiology curriculum in improving bag-mask ventilation and intubation success rates of emergency medicine residents: a prospective descriptive study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rapid and safe airway management has always been of paramount importance in successful management of critically ill and injured patients in the emergency department. The purpose of our study was to determine success rates of bag-mask ventilation and tracheal intubation performed by emergency medicine residents before and after completing their anesthesiology curriculum.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective descriptive study was conducted at Nikoukari Hospital, a teaching hospital located in Tabriz, Iran. In a skills lab, a total number of 18 emergency medicine residents (post graduate year 1) were given traditional intubation and bag-mask ventilation instructions in a 36 hour course combined with mannequin practice. Later the residents were given the opportunity of receiving training on airway management in an operating room for a period of one month which was considered as an additional training program added to their Anesthesiology Curriculum. Residents were asked to ventilate and intubate 18 patients (Mallampati class I and ASA class I and II) in the operating room; both before and after completing this additional training program. Intubation achieved at first attempt within 20 seconds was considered successful. Successful bag-mask ventilation was defined as increase in ETCo₂to 20 mm Hg and back to baseline with a 3 L/min fresh gas-flow and the adjustable pressure limiting valve at 20 cm H₂O. An attending anesthesiologist who was always present in the operating room during the induction of anesthesia confirmed the endotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy and capnography. Success rates were recorded and compared using McNemar, marginal homogeneity and paired t-Test tests in SPSS 15 software.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Before the additional training program in the operating room, the participants had intubation and bag-mask ventilation success rates of 27.7% (CI 0.07-0.49) and 16.6% (CI 0-0.34) respectively. After the additional training program in the operating room the success rates increased to 83.3% (CI 0.66-1) and 88.8% (CI 0.73-1), respectively. The differences in success rates were statistically significant (P = 0.002 and P = 0.0004, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The success rate of emergency medicine residents in airway management improved significantly after completing anesthesiology rotation. Anesthesiology rotations should be considered as an essential component of emergency medicine training programs. A collateral curriculum of this nature should also focus on the acquisition of skills in airway management.</p

The prognostic value of long noncoding RNA MEG3 expression in the survival of cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. lncRNA MEG3 is a tumor suppressor that is down-regulated in several cancers. However, its prognostic value in human malignancies remains controversial. We have therefore undertaken a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between cancer survival and the expression of long non-coding RNA MEG3. A systematic literature search identified 13 potentially eligible investigations comprising 1733 patients in nine different cancer types. In the pooled analysis, a low expression of MEG3 was associated with a low overall survival (OS) in cancer patients with a combined HR of 0.830 [hazard ratio (HR) =0.83; 95% CI: 0.70–0.98; P=0.0.03; random effect model]. However, sub-group analysis according to cancer type revealed that MEG3 expression was not associated with better OS in gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.33 to 1.03, P = 0.06) and breast cancer patients (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.12 to 5.88, P = 0.87). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that only in the pooled analysis, there was a significant relationship between MEG3 expression and cancer survival. Further investigation of other molecular biomarkers involved in tumorigenesis-related pathways is necessary

Platinum Nanoparticles in Biomedicine: Preparation, Anti-Cancer Activity, and Drug Delivery Vehicles

Cancer is the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, excluding infectious disease. Because of their lack of specificity in chemotherapy agents are used for cancer treatment, these agents have severe systemic side effects, and gradually lose their therapeutic effects because most cancers become multidrug resistant. Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are relatively new agents that are being tested in cancer therapy. This review covers the various methods for the preparation and physicochemical characterization of PtNPs. PtNPs have been shown to possess some intrinsic anticancer activity, probably due to their antioxidant action, which slows tumor growth. Targeting ligands can be attached to functionalized metal PtNPs to improve their tumor targeting ability. PtNPs-based therapeutic systems can enable the controlled release of drugs, to improve the efficiency and reduce the side effects of cancer therapy. Pt-based materials play a key role in clinical research. Thus, the diagnostic and medical industries are exploring the possibility of using PtNPs as a next-generation anticancer therapeutic agent. Although, biologically prepared nanomaterials exhibit high efficacy with low concentrations, several factors still need to be considered for clinical use of PtNPs such as the source of raw materials, stability, solubility, the method of production, biodistribution, accumulation, controlled release, cell-specific targeting, and toxicological issues to human beings. The development of PtNPs as an anticancer agent is one of the most valuable approaches for cancer treatment. The future of PtNPs in biomedical applications holds great promise, especially in the area of disease diagnosis, early detection, cellular and deep tissue imaging, drug/gene delivery, as well as multifunctional therapeutics

Effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine versus intravenous morphine for patients with renal colic in the emergency department

Abstract Background Despite the fact that numerous medications have been introduced to treat renal colic, none has been proven to relieve the pain rapidly and thoroughly. In this study, we aimed at comparing the effects of intravenous lidocaine versus intravenous morphine in patients suffering from renal colic. Methods In a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial performed in the emergency department of Imam Reza educational hospital of Tabriz, Iran, we studied 240 patients, 18–65 years old, who were referred due to renal colic. Patients were divided into two groups. In group I (120 people) single-dose intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) was administered and in group II (120 people) single-dose intravenous morphine (0.1 mg/kg) was administered slowly. Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS) was recorded while admission, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes after injection. Statistical data and results were studied using descriptive statistics as percentage and Mean ± SD. To compare the response to treatment, Mann–Whitney U-test was used in two groups. Consequently, the data were analyzed using the SPSS16 software. Results Pain score measured in two groups five minutes after the injection of lidocaine and morphine were 65 % and 53 % respectively (95% CI 0.60 - 0.69, CI 0.48 – 0.57, p = 0.0002).108 (90 %) patients (95 % CI 0.84 – 0.95) from group I and 84 (70%) patients (95 % CI 0.62 - 0.78) from group II responded appropriately at the end of the complete treatment. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). Conclusions Changing the smooth muscle tone and reducing the transmission of afferent sensory pathways, lidocaine causes a significant reduction in pain. Trial registration Clinical Trials IRCT138901042496N3</p

Trust in primary health care and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Iranian pediatric: a web-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Children are the most vulnerable group to diseases. Thus, it’s critical to evaluate parents’ or guardians’ willingness to vaccinate their children. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and predictors of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination in Iran and its relationship with trust in the Primary Health Care (PHC) system. Method A cross-sectional online survey of 549 Iranian parents was conducted between January and March 2023. This study collected data from all provinces of Iran using a questionnaire shared on Google Forms and various social media platforms. After considering various background factors, we used a multivariable logistic regression model. This model explored how trust in the PHC system and parent-related and child-related factors were related to parents’ vaccine uptake for their children. Results Of 549 parents aged between 19 and 67 years (median = 38 years), 65.2% (358) were female. The prevalence of vaccine uptake among parents was 46.8%. After adjusting for background features, child’s age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.71–0.91), vaccine doses (1-dose: AOR 14.72, 95% CI 6.44–33.65, 2-dose: AOR 32.54, 95% CI 15.22–69.57), child’s disease (AOR 5.31, 95% CI 2.19–12.85), and trust in PHC (AOR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02) were associated with parental uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that the child’s age, vaccine doses received, diseases, and trust in PHC are significant predictors of parental uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine for children in Iran. The results can be used in service planning regarding children’s COVID-19 vaccination

Psychological effects on patient’s relatives regarding their presence during resuscitation

Introduction: Presence of family and patients’ relatives throughout resuscitation procedure is one of the most challenging concerns. Methods: In an interventional (quasi-experimental) study that was conducted during a 6 months period, the patients’ relatives were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (the relatives who were eager to be present throughout the resuscitation procedure- under the family protection protocol, all of the procedure steps were explained to the relatives by an expert nurse who was not involved in the resuscitation procedure and control group (those who were not invited routinely to be present throughout the resuscitation procedure. However, if the control group were eager to be present, they were allowed to observe the procedure (these people were not supported by the protocol). After 90 days, subjects were contacted through telephone and filled standard questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) and Impact of Event Scale (IES) were completed for all subjects. These questionnaires focus on anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The obtained data were analyzed. Results: One hundred thirty three relatives were divided into two groups of control (59 subjects) and intervention (74 people). No significant difference was observed between two groups regarding demographic features. The evaluation after 90 days revealed depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD to be significantly more prevalent in control group than the intervention group (P < 0.0001 ). Conclusion: Emotional and psychological support and intervention on the patients’ relatives are efficient and can prevent the emergence of psychological disorders