Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Considering the impact of stigma on lesbian, gay and bisexual people receiving palliative and end-of-life care.

Abstract: Stigma is a common characteristic among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people's lives. The LGB population faces a challenge in finding ways to adapt to its stigmatised identity. Stigma and its related processes can have an isolating and negative affect on the LGB individual, who is seen as and often perceives themselves as different. Stigma can also have a negative effect on health and wellbeing and can influence the type of care received from health and social care professionals, including those working in palliative care. This paper presents a discussion of the impact that stigma has on LGB people who access and receive palliative and end-of-life care.

Newer developments in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma therapeutics

Abstract: Introduction: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a rare disease with a unique geographic distribution. Conducting controlled randomized trials to assess the effective therapeutic strategies has therefore been a significant challenge to date. Areas covered: This review explores the natural history and diagnostic evaluation of ATL, followed by a focused review of existing studies on the most potent individual pharmaceutical agents and combinations used in the therapy of this malignancy. Readers will acquire considerable insights about the clinical subsets, diagnosis and the most effective therapies used in various ATL types. Expert opinion: International, multicenter, randomized clinical trials are essential to design optimal therapeutic strategies for various ATL subsets. It appears that patients with acute ATL type benefit considerably from the first-line combined antiviral therapy with zidovudine and interferon alpha, whereas patients with ATL of the lymphoma type may experience a better outcome wit...

Hepatitis E in solid organ transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is underdiagnosed due to the use of serological assays with low sensitivity. Although most patients with HEV recover completely, HEV infection among patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease and organ-transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy can result in decompensated liver disease and death. Aim To demonstrate the prevalence of HEV infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Methods We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for eligible articles through October 2020. The inclusion criteria consisted of adult patients with history of SOT. HEV infection is confirmed by either HEV-immunoglobulin G, HEV-immunoglobulin M, or HEV RNA assay. Results Of 563 citations, a total of 22 studies (n = 4557) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimated prevalence of HEV infection in SOT patients was 20.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 14.9-26.8]. The pooled estimated prevalence of HEV infection for each organ transplant was as follows: liver (27.2%; 95%CI: 20.0-35.8), kidney (12.8%; 95%CI: 9.3-17.3), heart (12.8%; 95%CI: 9.3-17.3), and lung (5.6%; 95%CI: 1.6-17.9). Comparison across organ transplants demonstrated statistical significance (Q = 16.721, P = 0.002). The subgroup analyses showed that the prevalence of HEV infection among SOT recipients was significantly higher in middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. The pooled estimated prevalence of de novo HEV infection was 5.1% (95%CI: 2.6-9.6) and the pooled estimated prevalence of acute HEV infection was 4.3% (95%CI: 1.9-9.4). Conclusion HEV infection is common in SOT recipients, particularly in middle-income countries. The prevalence of HEV infection in lung transplant recipients is considerably less common than other organ transplants. More studies examining the clinical impacts of HEV infection in SOT recipients, such as graft failure, rejection, and mortality are warranted.

Risk assessment of patients with known or suspected CAD using stress myocardial perfusion SPECT. Part I: The ongoing evolution of clinical evidence.

Abstract: In this era of cost containment and evidence-based medicine, validation of a test's diagnostic ability may be only the beginning step to its acceptance and use. In the imaging world, a test gains cost-effectiveness points if it not only is an independent predictor of outcomes, but also adds prognostic information to pretest data. If the test can be used to risk-stratify patients, its value is further enhanced. This review discusses how one of the newer imaging techniques, single-photon emission CT, ranks with regard to the risk assessment of patients with coronary artery disease.