sj-docx-2-tam-10.1177_17588359231221339 – Supplemental material for Current evidence of PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis and synthesis of ongoing clinical trials

Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-tam-10.1177_17588359231221339 for Current evidence of PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis and synthesis of ongoing clinical trials by Saram Zafar, Rabbia Shehzadi, Hina Dawood, Moeez Maqbool, Azza Sarfraz and Zouina Sarfraz in Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology</p

sj-docx-1-tam-10.1177_17588359231221339 – Supplemental material for Current evidence of PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis and synthesis of ongoing clinical trials

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tam-10.1177_17588359231221339 for Current evidence of PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis and synthesis of ongoing clinical trials by Saram Zafar, Rabbia Shehzadi, Hina Dawood, Moeez Maqbool, Azza Sarfraz and Zouina Sarfraz in Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology</p

Predictive biomarkers for colorectal cancer: a state-of-the-art systematic review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a substantial health burden, with early detection paramount for improved prognosis. This study aims to evaluate potential CRC biomarkers and detection techniques. This systematic review, reported in adherence to PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines, collates the latest research on potential biomarkers and detection/prognosis methods for CRC, spanning the last decade. Out of the 38 included studies, diverse biomarkers and detection methods emerged, with DNA methylation markers like SFRP2 and SDC2, microRNAs including miR-1290, miR-506, and miR-4316, and serum and plasma markers such as NTS levels and U2 snRNA fragments standing out. Methylated cfDNA and m5C methylation alteration in immune cells of the blood, along with circular RNA, showed promise as diagnostic markers. Meanwhile, techniques involving extracellular vesicles and lateral flow immunoassays exhibited potential for swift and effective CRC screening. Our state-of-the-art review identifies potential biomarkers, including SFRP2, SDC2, miR-1290, miR-506, miR-4316, and U2 snRNA fragments, with significant potential in enhancing CRC detection. However, comprehensive validation studies and a rigorous evaluation of clinical utility and cost-effectiveness remain necessary before integration into routine clinical practice. The findings emphasize the need for continued research into biomarkers and detection methods to improve patient outcomes. This state-of-the-art systematic review evaluated potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) and synthesized 38 studies. Several biomarkers showed promise for CRC detection, including SFRP2 and SDC2 methylation biomarkers, chiroptical spectroscopy, m6A RNA levels, miR-1290, miR-506, miR-4316, NTS levels, and U2 snRNA fragments. EVs and LFIA were useful for screening.</p

S1 Dataset -

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has spread worldwide. Since its discovery, health measures have been put in place to help stop it from spreading. Proper education about COVID-19 is important because it helps people to follow health control measures and learn more about the disease. Objective: This study aimed to compare people´s knowledge of COVID-19 before and after a brief video-based educational intervention. Methods: 87 participants in Ecuador were recruited from a dataset of COVID-positive patients in Ecuador between December 2021 and February 2022. This was a cross-sectional, pre- and post-intervention study. First, COVID-19 knowledge was evaluated and then an educational intervention was provided as a video. After the intervention, the same knowledge questions were used to test the participants, and marginal homogeneity-based chi-square tests were employed for comparison. Results: After watching the educational video, participants knew more about the age group most likely to get the disease and their knowledge of how long it takes for Covid to spread. Their knowledge of other aspects of COVID-19 has also increased. Conclusion: This study shows that educational intervention positively affects the knowledge of people who watch it. At the end of the study, after the intervention, the study participants knew more than they had before. This could be a useful tool for identifying possible pandemics.</div

Percentages of knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 between T1 and T2 (pre-post intervention) (n = 87).

Percentages of knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 between T1 and T2 (pre-post intervention) (n = 87).</p

Characteristics of the study population (n = 87).

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has spread worldwide. Since its discovery, health measures have been put in place to help stop it from spreading. Proper education about COVID-19 is important because it helps people to follow health control measures and learn more about the disease. Objective: This study aimed to compare people´s knowledge of COVID-19 before and after a brief video-based educational intervention. Methods: 87 participants in Ecuador were recruited from a dataset of COVID-positive patients in Ecuador between December 2021 and February 2022. This was a cross-sectional, pre- and post-intervention study. First, COVID-19 knowledge was evaluated and then an educational intervention was provided as a video. After the intervention, the same knowledge questions were used to test the participants, and marginal homogeneity-based chi-square tests were employed for comparison. Results: After watching the educational video, participants knew more about the age group most likely to get the disease and their knowledge of how long it takes for Covid to spread. Their knowledge of other aspects of COVID-19 has also increased. Conclusion: This study shows that educational intervention positively affects the knowledge of people who watch it. At the end of the study, after the intervention, the study participants knew more than they had before. This could be a useful tool for identifying possible pandemics.</div

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID-19 patients: insights from the National Inpatient Sample

This retrospective study, conducted using the U.S. National Inpatient Sample (NIS), examines the outcomes and management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) in COVID-19 patients and identifies predictive factors to enhance patient prognosis. We analyzed the 2020 U.S. NIS data involving adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with NVUGIB and categorized them based on the presence of COVID-19. Primary and secondary outcomes, NVUGIB-related procedures, and predictive factors were evaluated. Of 184,885 adult patients admitted with NVUGIB, 1.6% (2990) had COVID-19. Patients with NVUGIB and COVID-19 showed higher inpatient mortality, acute kidney injury, need for intensive care, and resource utilization metrics. Notably, there was a lower rate of early esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Multivariate logistic regression revealed conditions like peptic ulcer disease, mechanical ventilation, and alcohol abuse as significant positive predictors for NVUGIB in COVID-19 patients, whereas female gender and smoking were negative predictors. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 significantly increases the risk of mortality and complications in NVUGIB patients. The observed decrease in early EGD interventions, potentially contributing to higher mortality rates, calls for a review of treatment strategies. Further multicenter, prospective studies are needed to validate these results and improve patient care strategies.</p

Inflammatory bowel disease and associated cardiovascular disease outcomes: a systematic review

Background: There is limited and conflicting data available regarding the cardiovascular disease outcomes associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Objective: We aim to perform a systematic review to evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes and mortality associated with IBD patients. Methods: A systematic literature search has been performed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus from inception till May 2022 without any language restrictions. Results: A total of 2,029,941 patients were included in the analysis from 16 studies. The mean age of the patients was 45.6 years. More females were found compared with males (57% vs 43%). The most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) included smoking (24.19%) and alcohol (4.60%). The most common comorbidities includes hypertension (30%), diabetes mellitus (14.41%), dyslipidemia (18.42%), previous CVD (22%), and renal disease (10%). Among outcomes, all-cause mortality among IBD patients was 1.66%; ulcerative colitis (UC): 15.92%; and Crohn disease (CD): 0.30%. Myocardial Infarction (MI) among IBD patients were 1.47%, UC: 30.96%; and CD: 34.14%. CVD events among IBD patients were 1.95%. Heart failure events among IBD patients were 5.49%, stroke events among IBD patients were 0.95%, UC: 2.63%, and CD: 2.41%, respectively. Conclusion: IBD patients are at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, especially in women. Although there remains a lack of concrete treatment algorithms and assessment parameters that better characterize IBD risk factors, nutritional modifications and physical activity should be at the forefront of CVD prevention in IBD.</p