OBJECTIVES: This study involves a bibliometric quantitative analysis of academic literature to evaluate OTC vending machines in terms of their evolution, current trends, and potential areas for future research.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: The Scopus database was searched using its advanced search tool, focusing on papers that included the search query in their titles, abstracts, and keywords. Data analysis included bibliometric indicators such as publication counts, citation trends, and co-authorship networks, which were visualized using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) to highlight key research themes and collaboration patterns.
RESULTS: A total of 399 publications on OTC vending machines were found between 1833 and 2024. Over the last 20 years, there has been an annual increase in the number of publications related to OTC vending machines, rising from 1 in 2001 to 31 in 2023. The United States (n = 118; 29.57 %) led in productivity, followed by the United Kingdom (45; 11.27 %), India (30; 7.51 %), Australia (27; 6.76 %), Canada (16; 4 %), Italy (15; 3.75 %), and China (15; 3.75 %). A total of 35 institutions have been involved in research on OTC vending machines. The Dubai Municipality contributed the highest percentage of articles (n = 3, 0.75 %), followed by the Emirates Health Services (n = 3, 0.75 %), Al Ain University (n = 2, 0.5 %), and Baystate Medical Center (n = 2, 0.5 %). Before 2016, much of the research on OTC vending machines focused on terms related to healthcare policy and health promotion, indicating the early exploration of this field. Present trends highlight terms associated with pharmacy practice, such as pharmacists, pharmacy, and prescription-related subjects.
CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasises the practical necessity for enhanced regulatory structures to mitigate risks such as medication abuse, unfavourable drug interactions, and incorrect dispensing practices. Additionally, the study highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to maximize the benefits of OTC vending machines while addressing consumer behaviour and safety issues.
METHODS: From the databases of endoscopic endonasal skull base and rhinological surgical procedures maintained by our groups, all cases with isolated sphenoid sinus fungal mucoceles were retrieved and included in the study. Clinical and radiological findings, histopathologic evidence of fungal rhinosinusitis, culture results, clinicopathological designation, treatment details, and outcome of CN neuropathies were analyzed.
RESULTS: Headache was the most common symptom (seven cases). Oculomotor (three cases) and abducens (two cases) nerve palsies were encountered in five out of eight patients. Visual loss was seen in two cases. Hypopituitarism was seen in one case. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal wide bilateral sphenoidectomy. CN palsies improved in four out of five cases.
CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal wide sphenoidectomy is the surgical treatment of choice and should be performed in a timely manner to prevent permanent sequelae. Histopathological and microbiological examination findings should both be obtained as they dictate the next steps of therapeutic intervention.
METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study of 624 patients initiated on liraglutide was conducted. Data were collected at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Primary outcomes were HbA1c and weight changes. Secondary outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate methods.
RESULTS: In study population the mean HbA1c reduction of -1.45 ± 0.67% was observed at 24 months, with 30.6% achieving HbA1c ≤ 7.5%. A rapid and sustained weight loss of -7.51 kg was achieved, with 27.2% experiencing ≥5% weight loss. Additionally, liraglutide led to a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol, with 46.7% of patients achieving a ≥ 10% reduction at 24 months. Liraglutide was well-tolerated, with a low discontinuation rate of 4.6%.
CONCLUSION: Liraglutide demonstrated sustained efficacy and safety in a diverse Pakistani population with T2DM, regardless of baseline characteristics. These findings support the use of liraglutide as an effective treatment option for T2DM in real-world clinical practice.
OBJECTIVES: Therefore, the objective of this review was twofold; to identify and critically evaluate anti-depressant properties of medicinal plants or those incorporated in traditional medicine; and to discuss their possible mechanism of action as well as challenges and way forward for this alternative treatment approach.
METHODS: Relevant research articles were retrieved from various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, for the period from 2018 to 2020, and the search was updated in September 2024. The inclusion criterion was relevance to antidepressants, while the exclusion criteria included duplicates, lack of full-text availability, and non-English publications.
RESULTS: Through an extensive literature review, more than 40 medicinal plant species with antidepressant effects were identified, some of which are part of traditional medicine. The list of the said plant species included Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F.Macbr., Calculus bovis Sativus, Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Cinnamomum sp., Erythrina velutina Willd., Ficus platyphylla Delile, Garcinia mangostana Linn., Hyptis martiusii Benth, and Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Anti-depressant mechanisms associated with those plants were further characterised based on their modes of action such as anti-oxidation system, anti-inflammation action, modulation of various neurotransmitters, neuroprotective effect, the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and anti-depressant mechanism. The challenges and future outlook of this alternative and complementary medicine are also explored and discussed.
CONCLUSION: This pool of identified plant species is hoped to offer health care professionals the best possible alternatives of anti-depressants from natural phytocompounds that are efficacious, safe and affordable for applications in future clinical settings.
METHODS: Archives of our institute were reviewed. Cases diagnosed as odontogenic myxoma were retrieved. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, and histopathological features of these cases were analyzed. In addition, immunohistochemical markers including vimentin, Ki-67, Bcl-2, and CD117 were performed. The correlation between immunohistochemical profiles and clinicopathological characteristics was evaluated.
RESULTS: Sixteen cases of odontogenic myxoma were discovered. Fourteen cases were central type while two cases were peripheral type. The mean age of patients was 34.6 years with male-to-female ratio of 1:2.2. Mandible (68.8 %) was more affected than the maxilla (31.2 %). Bony expansion or jaw swelling (43.8 %) was the most common clinical feature. Most cases (71.4 %) presented with multilocular radiolucency. Histopathologically, tumors show stellate and spindle-shaped cells in a myxoid stroma with varying amounts of collagen fiber. All cases were positive for vimentin and Bcl-2. Half of the cases showed positive for Ki-67. Mast cells were presented in most cases (75.0 %). A significant correlation was found between the immunoexpression level of Bcl-2 and border of lesion in radiograph (p = 0.024).
CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to better understanding of the characteristics of odontogenic myxoma. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of odontogenic myxoma, as its clinical and histopathological features may overlap with other tumors. The expression of Bcl-2 and presence of mast cell in this tumor may relate to its growth and aggressiveness. Despite its benign nature, odontogenic myxoma exhibits high recurrence, especially in lesion managed conservatively.
METHODS: Seven databases and four trial registries were searched. Eligible studies included randomised- and non-randomised-controlled-trials in patients diagnosed with OM. Studies on Individualised- and non-Individualised-Homeopathy (IH, non-IH) were included, and controls were inactive and/or active treatment. Primary outcomes were clinical-improvement and antibiotic-use. Data extraction, Risk of Bias and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were performed using established methodology.
RESULTS: Nine studies (IH = 4, non-IH = 5) comprising seven Randomised Clinical Trials (RCTs) and two non-RCTs (nRCTS) compared homeopathy with placebo (n = 2) or standard care (n = 7). 4/7 included RCTs reported statistically significant individual outcomes at relevant time points (symptom score, MEE, and antibiotic use) favouring homeopathy. However, heterogeneity of study designs, homeopathic interventions and outcome measures hindered the pooling of data for most outcomes, except for antibiotic use (non-IH). Add-on non-IH reduced filled antibiotic prescriptions by 46 % (RR = 0.54 [95%CI: 0.28, 1.06], P = 0.07, I2 = 12 %), but this did not reach statistical significance. Most studies demonstrated that the homeopathy group had less adverse events than the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: The evidence base for the effectiveness of homeopathy and OM treatment is modest in study number, size, and risk of bias assessment. Individual RCTs report positive effects on clinical improvement and/or antibiotic use at relevant time points with homeopathy with no safety issues. Due to heterogeneity, the current evidence is insufficient to satisfactorily answer whether homeopathy is effective for clinical improvement and reducing antibiotic use in patients with OM. A Core Outcome Set for OM for future research is warranted to improve the potential for meta-analyses and strengthen the evidence base.