Current Status of Handheld Otoscopy Training: A Systematic Review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Current Status of Handheld Otoscopy Training: A Systematic Review Via otol rhinol Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Feb 25:3489421997289. doi: 10.1177/0003489421997289. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Otoscopy is a frequently performed procedure and competency in this skill is important across many specialties. We aim to systematically review current medical educational evidence for training of handheld otoscopy skills. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guideline, studies reporting on training and/or assessment of handheld otoscopy were identifi ed searching the following databases: PubMed, Embase, OVID, the Cochrane Library, PloS Medicine, Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ), and Web of Science. Two reviewers extracted data on study design, training intervention, educational outcomes, and results. Quality of educational evidence was assessed along with classification according to Kirkpatrick's model of educational outcomes. RESULTS: The searches yielded a total of 6064 studies with a final inclusion of 33 studies for the qualitative synthesis. Handheld otoscopy training could be divided into workshops, physical simulators, web-based training/e-learning, and smartphone-enabled otoscopy. Workshops were the most commonly described educational intervention and typically consisted of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and training on peers. Almost all studies reported a favorable effect on either learner attitude, knowledge, or skills. The educational quality of the studies was reasonable but the educational outcomes were mostly evaluated on the lower Kirkpatrick levels with only a single study determining the effects of training on actual change in the learner behavior. CONCLUSION: Overall, it seems that any systematic approach to training of handheld otoscopy is beneficial in training regardless of learner level, but the heterogeneity of the studies makes comparisons between studies difficult and the relative effect sizes of the interventions could not be determined. PMID:33629599 | DOI:10.1177/0003489421997289 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Induction of IL‐1β and antimicrobial peptides as a potential mechanism for topical dithranol

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Induction of IL‐1β and antimicrobial peptides as a potential mechanism for topical dithranol Via Experimental Dermatology Abstract Topical dithranol is effective in autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata, inducing hair regrowth in a high percentage of cases. Exact mechanisms of dithranol in alopecia areata, with seemingly healthy epidermis besides altered hair follicles, are not well understood. To better understand dithranol's mechanisms on healthy skin, we analysed its effect on normal murine as well as xenografted human skin. We found a strong increase in mRNA expression of anti‐microbial peptides (AMPs) (eg Lcn2, Defb1, Defb3, S100a8, S100a9), keratinocyte differentiation markers (eg Serpinb3a, Flg, Krt16, Lce3e) and inflammatory cytokines (eg Il1b and Il17) in healthy murine skin. This effect was paralleled by inflammation and disturbed skin barrier, as well as an injury response resulting in epidermal hyperproliferation, as observed in murine and xenografted adult human skin. This contact response and disturbed barrier in duced by dithranol might lead via a vicious loop between AMPs such as S100a8/a9 (that led to skin swelling itself after topical application) and cytokines such as IL‐1β to an immune suppressive environment in the skin. A better understanding of the skin's physiologic response to dithranol may open up new avenues for the establishment of novel therapeutics (including AMP‐related/interfering molecules) for certain skin conditions, such as alopecia areata. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effects of constant light exposure on allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in mice reared under constant light conditions

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effects of constant light exposure on allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in mice reared under constant light conditions Via Experimental Dermatology Abstract Environmental light levels can affect physiological functions, such as general activity, body temperature and metabolism. Irregular lifestyles, such as those involving exposure to light during the night, can exacerbate the clinical symptoms of several inflammatory skin diseases. However, the effects of constant light exposure on immune responses are not fully understood. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of constant light exposure on two major types of skin reactions, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). BALB/c mice were kept under constant light conditions or a normal light and dark cycle, and their ACD and ICD responses were assessed after the topical application of 2,4,6‐trinitro‐1‐chlorobenzene and croton oil, respectively, to the ear skin. Interestingly, in both ACD and ICD, the ear‐swelling response and local leukocyte infiltration were aggravated by constant exposure to light, which has previously been shown to severely di sturb the behavioural rhythms of mice. In ACD, these findings were accompanied by increases in the numbers of degranulated mast cells and eosinophils. These results suggest that constant light exposure intensifies allergic and non‐allergic skin inflammation. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Anatomical variations of the mandibular canal and their clinical implications in dental practice: a literature review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Anatomical variations of the mandibular canal and their clinical implications in dental practice: a literature review Via radiol anat Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Feb 25. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02708-7. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have been described according to the number of additional branches it presents, bifid and trifid. Within the bifids we can also find subtypes of variations such as the retromolar mandibular canal. These anatomical variations can have important clinical implications for the work of dental professionals. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was carried out in different databases that met the following criteria: articles published between 2000 and 2020, and articles that established a clinical correlation with variations in the mandibular canal. RESULTS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 articles were obtained, in which the variations of the mandibular canal were identified, their prevalence and incidence, which was very varied between the different articles, it was also found that the CBCT was the main technique to identify the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal. Lastly, the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have a direct clinical correlation with pre-surgical, intra-surgical and postsurgical complications in pathologies that require surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have a high incidence, so knowing them is of vital importance both for clinicians and anatomy professors who prov ide morphological training. We believe that research should focus on describing and diagnosing the causes of these anatomical variations. That said, there is also a continuous challenge for all health professionals to learn about the different anatomical variations that the human body presents and how these can affect clinical practice. PMID:33630105 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-021-02708-7 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Virtual thanks giving to a cadaver by medical students exposed to learning anatomy before and amidst COVID-19 pandemic

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Virtual thanks giving to a cadaver by medical students exposed to learning anatomy before and amidst COVID-19 pandemic Via radiol anat Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Feb 25. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02715-8. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Thanks giving ceremony to cadaver was different this year in two ways: the students were partially exposed to cadaveric dissections (for 7 months) and later learned Anatomy via online classes due to lockdown (for 5 months) and secondly it was not feasible to gather for the ceremony so virtual platform was preferred. The purpose of this study was to discern the gratitude for cadaver and to recognize the importance of cadaveric dissection from the reflection of students who experienced hybrid anatomy learning amidst COVID-19. METHODS: The study was conducted on 48 first year medical students who were admitted to the college in August 2019 and were willing to participate. An online invitation was sent to students to participate in virtual thanks giving to cadaver ceremony on the last day of their anatomy class (August 2020). RESULTS: Though the students partially studied gross anatomy with the aid of dissections on the cadaver; however, they expressed respect and gratitude to the silent mentor in the form of a card, poem, drawing or paragraph and shared it via google classroom platform. The students wished if they could continue their anatomy course in dissection hall as paused due to COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Reflection of these students may mark impact on future anatomy students who may or may not get the chance for dissections. The thanks-giving gesture will also help to bind medical science and humanity especially during the crisis of pandemic. PMID:33630106 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-021-02715-8 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Anatomical variations of the sacro-iliac joint: a computed tomography study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Anatomical variations of the sacro-iliac joint: a computed tomography study Via radiol anat Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Feb 25. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02714-9. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To identify, describe, and compare the prevalence of sacroiliac joint anatomical variants. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on computed tomography scans. Joint space was measured, and variants were classified as accessory joint, ileosacral complex, bipartite bony plate, semicircular defect, iliac bony plate, and ossification centers. RESULTS: 400 s cans were analyzed. Mean age was 49 years, 180 men (45%), and 220 women (55%). 209 (52.2%) patients presented an anatomical variant with higher prevalence in women (65.4% vs 36.2%), and those older than 40 years of age (60% vs 40%). Mean joint space was similar bilaterally (right 2.41 ± 0.65 mm vs. left 2.37 ± 0.65 mm). Prevalence was: 19.8% accessory joint, 6.5% ileosacral complex, 12.3% bipartite bony plate, 8% semicircular defect, 5% iliac bony plate, and 0.8% for ossification centers. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of anatomical variants of the SIJ is higher in the Hispanic population, women, and those older than 40 years. PMID:33630107 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-021-02714-9 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Evaluation of saliva as a complementary technique to the diagnosis of COVID-19: a systematic review.

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Evaluation of saliva as a complementary technique to the diagnosis of COVID-19: a systematic review. Via pubmed: "med oral patol oral... Related Articles Evaluation of saliva as a complementary technique to the diagnosis of COVID-19: a systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2021 Feb 20;: Authors: Sagredo-Olivares K, Morales-Gómez C, Aitken-Saavedra J Abstract BACKGROUND: Infectious disease coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and it mainly affects the upper respiratory tract. The gold standard for its diagnosis is real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) performed on a nasopharyngeal swab. In contrast, testing saliva has significant advantages as a diagnostic method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched for articles evaluating saliva as a diagnostic method for COVID-19 on the PUBMED/MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, COCHRANE, and SCIELO platforms. We initially found 233 articles and 20 were selected for inclusion following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol: 18 cross-sectional studies and 2 case reports, including 8 from America, 8 from Asia, and 4 from Europe. The studies evaluated the presence of viral RNA, IgG, IgM, and IgA in samples of unstimulated saliva from adults with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The vast majority of the studies performed RT-qPCR on the saliva samples and compared the results with the gold standard (a nasopharyngeal swab of the same patient). RESULTS: Saliva samples analyzed by RT-qPCR, reverse transcription isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), spectroscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) offer high sensitivity to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the early stages of the disease and among asymptomatic patients as compared to nasopharyngeal swab RT-qPCR. In addition, the self-collection of saliva offers the possibility of receiving telemedicine instructions to carry out the test, reducing the risk of contagion. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of COVID-19 through saliva is sensitive, non-invasive, and is of low risk for the healthcare professionals. However, further studies are recommended to validate its clinical use. PMID: 33609022 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.