Citations

Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has caused many complications, the invention of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines has also brought about several adverse events, from common side effects to unexpected and rare ones. Common vaccine-related adverse reactions manifest locally or systematically following any vaccine, including Covid-19 vaccines. Certain side effects, known as adverse events of special interest (AESI), are unusual and need more evaluation. Here, we discuss some of the most important rare adverse events of Covid-19 vaccines.

AbstractDespite advancements in local‐regional and systemic therapies, non‐small cell cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Among those treated with standard‐of‐care modalities, 30–60% experience disease recurrence. Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is a form of densely ionizing radiotherapy with unique physical and biological advantages over traditional photon and proton modalities. CIRT is expected to have a superior biological impact on tumors, and is believed to be less impacted by the presence of tumor hypoxia or cell cycle state. It also shows highly conformal physical dose deposition due to reduced lateral scattering of the particles, limiting the radiation dose delivered to adjacent organs at risk. To implement CIRT as a viable option in the treatment of NSCLC, technical aspects of treatment delivery – including appropriate beam arrangements, dose calculation algorithms, radiobiological models, and methods of motion management – must be thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, randomized clinical trials comparing CIRT versus traditional radiation modalities must be performed to show the benefits and risks associated with this novel treatment modality. This review discusses the rationale for utilizing CIRT in NSCLC, available clinical data to date, and the potential for future investigations that may pave the path for improving outcomes in those diagnosed with NSCLC.

methamphetamine (MA) has a similar structure to amphetamine which can induce a wide range of symptoms, including alertness, aggressive behavior, chest pain, psychosis, seizures, developed by the psychomotor system stimulation. This case specifically discusses prolonged severe MA intoxication induced by a novel and unique way of the drug’s ingestion.

Abstract Background 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most common chemotherapeutic agents used in treating solid tumors, and the 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity is the second cause of cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. Propolis (Pro) has vigorous anti-inflammatory activity. Its cardio-protective characteristic against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was previously proven. The current study aimed to appraise the effect of Pro on 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, 5-FU, 5-FU + Pro 250 mg/kg, and 5-FU + Colchicine (CLC) 5 mg/kg. Different hematological, serological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular assays were performed to assess the study aim. Moreover, rat myocardium (H9C2(2 − 1)) and human skin fibroblast (HNFF-P18) cell lines were also used to assess this protective effect in-vitro. Results 5-FU resulted in significant cardiotoxicity represented by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression, cardiac enzyme levels, and histopathological degenerations. 5-FU treatment also decreased bodyweight, total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) levels, blood cell counts, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In addition, 5-FU disrupted ECG parameters, including increased elevation in the ST-segment and increased QRS complex and QTc duration. Treating with Pro reduced oxidative stress, cardiac enzymes, histopathological degenerations, and COX-2 expression in cardiac tissue alleviated ECG disturbances and increased the number of blood cells and TAC levels. Moreover, 5-FU-induced bodyweight loss was ameliorated after treatment with Pro. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that treatment with Pro significantly improved cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU in rats.

The side effects of COVID-19 vaccination were mostly self-restricted local reactions that quickly resolved. Nevertheless, rare autoimmune hepatitis cases have been reported in some vaccinated individuals. This article presents a young man who developed fulminant hepatitis a few days after vaccination with the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Abstract Background 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most common chemotherapeutic agents used in treating solid tumors, and the 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity is the second cause of cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. Propolis (Pro) has vigorous anti-inflammatory activity. Its cardio-protective characteristic against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was previously proven. The current study aimed to appraise the effect of Pro on 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, 5-FU, 5-FU + Pro 250 mg/kg, and 5-FU + Colchicine (CLC) 5 mg/kg. Different hematological, serological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular assays were performed to assess the study aim. Moreover, rat myocardium (H9C2(2 − 1)) and human skin fibroblast (HNFF-P18) cell lines were also used to assess this protective effect in-vitro. Results 5-FU resulted in significant cardiotoxicity represented by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression, cardiac enzyme levels, and histopathological degenerations. 5-FU treatment also decreased bodyweight, total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) levels, blood cell counts, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In addition, 5-FU disrupted ECG parameters, including increased elevation in the ST-segment and increased QRS complex and QTc duration. Treating with Pro reduced oxidative stress, cardiac enzymes, histopathological degenerations, and COX-2 expression in cardiac tissue alleviated ECG disturbances and increased the number of blood cells and TAC levels. Moreover, 5-FU-induced bodyweight loss was ameliorated after treatment with Pro. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that treatment with Pro significantly improved cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU in rats.

Abstract The benefits of mindfulness are well‐documented; however, these benefits may not be evenly distributed across communities. Equitable Mindfulness aims to make these benefits accessible to a wider and more inclusive audience. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of Equitable Mindfulness and systemic barriers that prevent mindfulness programs from being equitably accessed across communities. Twenty‐one participants were recruited for qualitative in‐depth interviews during a 2‐day mindfulness conference. The constant comparison method was used to iteratively identify and categorize themes that emerged within and across interviews. Five dominant themes emerged from the data as follows: inherent equitability, accessibility, inclusiveness, awareness and knowledge‐sharing, and acknowledgement of multiple perspectives. Having an applicable and meaningful term to use when describing mindfulness as an inclusive and equitable practice can facilitate the exploration of a new area of research. There is a need for future initiatives aimed at making mindfulness trainings and programs more equitable and accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, or abilities/disabilities.

AbstractSince the start of the pandemic, thrombotic events have been a well‐known and severe complication associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Nevertheless, the initiation of vaccination programs brought another rare yet highly fatal thrombotic event, vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia, which has caused extensive debate regarding the safety of vaccines. This review defines the thromboembolic events following infection and vaccination, identifies their risk factors, describes their pathophysiology, and discusses their management, treatment, and prevention.

Growing evidence suggests a consistent association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive impairment and dementia that is independent of clinical stroke. This report from the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration summarizes the evidence linking AF to cognitive impairment and dementia. It provides guidance on the investigation and management of dementia in patients with AF on the basis of best available evidence. The document also addresses suspected pathophysiologic mechanisms and identifies knowledge gaps for future research. Whereas AF and dementia share numerous risk factors, the association appears to be independent of these variables. Nevertheless, the evidence remains inconclusive regarding a direct causal effect. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been proposed, some of which are potentially amenable to early intervention, including cerebral microinfarction, AF-related cerebral hypoperfusion, inflammation, microhemorrhage, brain atrophy, and systemic atherosclerotic vascular disease. The mitigating role of oral anticoagulation in specific subgroups (eg, low stroke risk, short duration or silent AF, after successful AF ablation, or atrial cardiopathy) and the effect of rhythm versus rate control strategies remain unknown. Likewise, screening for AF (in cognitively normal or cognitively impaired patients) and screening for cognitive impairment in patients with AF are debated. The pathophysiology of dementia and therapeutic strategies to reduce cognitive impairment warrant further investigation in individuals with AF. Cognition should be evaluated in future AF studies and integrated with patient-specific outcome priorities and patient preferences. Further large-scale prospective studies and randomized trials are needed to establish whether AF is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, to investigate strategies to prevent dementia, and to determine whether screening for unknown AF followed by targeted therapy might prevent or reduce cognitive impairment and dementia.