Global Research Trends in Lithium Toxicity from 1913 to 2015: A Bibliometric Analysis

Lithium salts have been used to treat psychiatric disorders since the 1940s and are currently used in prophylaxis and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess lithium toxicity‐related publications using bibliometric approaches from a health point of view to assess global research trends in the lithium toxicity field to offer guidance to future research in this field. The data were retrieved from the online version of Scopus database on 6 August 2016. All records with the term ‘lithium’ in the title were retrieved, and those related to lithium toxicity were evaluated. There were a total of 1241 publications related to lithium toxicity published from 1913 to 2016. Articles (971 or 78.2%) were the most common type, followed by letters (179 or 14.4%) and reviews (61 or 4.9%). The annual publication of articles increased slightly after 1950 and the total number of publications related to lithium toxicity fluctuated with three peaks occurred in 1978, 1985 and 2014. The USA was the predominant country (25.38%), followed by the UK (7.82%), France (6.85%) and Canada (3.55%). Denmark had the highest productivity of publication after standardization by gross domestic product and population size. The average number of citations per article was 9.24, and the h‐index for all publications in the field of lithium toxicity was 46. The highest h‐index value was achieved by the USA (31) followed by the UK (21) and Canada (13). The Lancet was the highest ranked journal with 27 articles, followed by American Journal of Psychiatry with 23 articles. This study provides a bibliometric analysis on the global research trends in lithium toxicity studies during 1913–2015. There has been a progressive increase in the number of publications related to lithium toxicity published in the last decade, and most of the studies related to lithium toxicity arose from the USA and the UK.     

The effects of topically applied polyNIPAM-based nanogels and their monomers on skin cyclooxygenase expression,ex vivo

Stimulus-responsive nanogels have potential as carriers for drugs targeting the skin. It is important to estimate the biocompatibility of such materials with the skin since they are directly in contact upon application and may induce irritation or inflammation. In the current work, blank (drug-free) polyN-isopropylacrylamide (polyNIPAM), poly(NIPAM copolymerized butyl acrylate) [poly(NIPAM-co-BA)], and poly(NIPAM copolymerized with 5% w/v acrylic acid) [poly(NIPAM-co-AAc)(5%)] nanogels were dosed onto freshly excised full-thickness porcine ear skin and the effects on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) determined ex vivo by Western blotting. Modulated COX-2 expression was indicative that the material had penetrated the skin and keratinocytes of the viable epidermis. The poly(NIPAM-co-BA) nanogel was found to exert a proinflammatory response when applied topically, as reflected by 67% higher COX-2 expression relative to the control treatment (p = 0.0035). The data obtained for the poly(NIPAM-co-AAc)(5%) nanogel, on the other hand, indicated no significant modulation in the expression of COX-2 (p = 0.1578), suggesting the particles are compatible with skin. This was even the case in the presence of co-administered aqueous citric acid solution. Overall the data support the use of the multi-responsive poly(NIPAM-co-AAc)(5%) nanogel for triggered or controlled topical drug delivery applications.     

A prospective randomised comparative study of endoscopic band ligation versus injection sclerotherapy of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background and study aimsBleeding internal haemorrhoids are common and used to be treated surgically with too many complications. Endoscopic therapy is trying to take the lead. Sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation are the candidates to replace surgical therapy especially in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) to endoscopic rubber band ligation (EBL) regarding effectiveness and complications in the treatment of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis.Patients and methodsOne hundred and twenty adult patients with liver cirrhosis and bleeding internal haemorrhoids were randomised into two equal groups; the first treated with EBL using Saeed multiband ligator, and the second with EIS using either ethanolamine oleate 5% or N-butyl cyanoacrylate. All groups were matched as regards age, sex, Child score and pre-procedure Doppler values. Patients were followed up clinically and with abdominal ultrasound/Doppler for 6 months. Endoscopic and endosonography/Doppler was done before and one month after the procedure. Pre and post-procedure data were recorded and analysed.ResultsBoth techniques were highly effective in the control of bleeding from internal haemorrhoids with a low rebleeding [10% in the EBL group and 13.33% in the EIS group] and recurrence [20% in the EBL group 20% in the EIS group] rates. Child score had a positive correlation with rebleeding and recurrence in EIS group only.Pain score and need for analgesia were significantly higher while patient satisfaction was significantly lower in EIS compared to EBL [p < 0.05]. No significant difference between ethanolamine and cyanoacrylate subgroups was found [p > 0.05].ConclusionsBoth EBL and EIS were effective in the treatment of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in patients with liver cirrhosis. EBL had significantly less pain and higher patient satisfaction than EIS. EBL was also safer in patients with advanced cirrhosis.     

Safety and effi cacy of hepatitis A vaccine in children with chronic liver disease

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common. In general, hepatitis A is a self-limited illness with a recovery time measured in months[1]. Young children are often asymptomatic, whereas adults are more likely to be symptomatic and may present…     

Quality of life in Palestinian patients with end-stage renal disease receiving treatment by haemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

Background

Haemodialysis is a life-saving but burdensome therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, which can substantially impair health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of HRQOL and to identify the risk factors for reduced HRQOL in Palestinian patients receiving treatment by haemodialysis.

The prevention of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in older adults

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are common in older adults. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Bone fractures can result in changes in posture, pain, the need for surgical repair and functional impairment. Sarcopenia is the progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and/or physical performance. Older adults with sarcopenia experience increased risk of frailty, disability, hospitalizations, mortality, and a reduced quality of life. In this narrative review we provide guidance regarding the prevention of both osteoporosis and sarcopenia, including interventions that prevent both conditions from occurring, recommended screening and treatment to prevent progression.     

Is there a potential dual effect of denosumab for treatment of osteoporosis and sarcopenia?

Clinical Rheumatology - The prevalence of sarcopenia with osteoporosis results in a higher risk of falling and fractures. It was noted that patients who had completed their planned 5-year denosumab...     

Global research trends in the microbiome related to irritable bowel syndrome: A bibliometric and visualized study

BACKGROUNDIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Dysregulation of the gut–brain axis plays a central role in the pathophysiology of IBS. It is increasingly clear that the microbiome plays a key role in the development and normal functioning of the gut–brain axis.AIMTo facilitate the identification of specific areas of focus that may be of relevance to future research. This study represents a bibliometric analysis of the literature pertaining to the microbiome in IBS to understand the development of this field. METHODSThe data used in our bibliometric analysis were retrieved from the Scopus database. The terms related to IBS and microbiome were searched in titles or abstracts within the period of 2000–2019. VOSviewer software was used for data visualization. RESULTSA total of 13055 documents related to IBS were retrieved at the global level. There were 1872 scientific publications focused on the microbiome in IBS. There was a strong positive correlation between publication productivity related to IBS in all fields and productivity related to the microbiome in IBS (r = 0.951, P < 0.001). The United States was the most prolific country with 449 (24%) publications, followed by the United Kingdom (n = 176, 9.4%), China (n = 154, 8.2%), and Italy (n = 151, 8.1%). The h-index for all retrieved publications related to the microbiome in IBS was 138. The hot topics were stratified into four clusters: (1) The gut–brain axis related to IBS; (2) Clinical trials related to IBS and the microbiome; (3) Drug-mediated manipulation of the gut microbiome; and (4) The role of the altered composition of intestinal microbiota in IBS prevention. CONCLUSIONThis is the first study to evaluate and quantify global research productivity pertaining to the microbiome in IBS. The number of publications regarding the gut microbiota in IBS has continuously grown since 2013. This finding suggests that the future outlook for interventions targeting the gut microbiota in IBS remains promising.