Intraarticular stem cell therapy has become increasingly used to treat knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with minimal high-quality evidence to support its use. This study aims to see how well intra-articular injections of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) worked and how safe they were for individuals with KOA. A total of 10 studies were extracted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PMC from 2017 to 2021 in the English language. An assessment of the risk of bias was applied via the Cochrane Collaborative Bias Risk Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Quality. Changes in pain and functional outcomes in patients with KOA were measured by a Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores at baseline, and follow-up evaluation criteria. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated using the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) and cartilage volume changes. A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three prospective retrospective clinical trials, and one retrospective clinical trial included 723 patients. They were diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral KOA with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 1-4 KOA and followed up for six, 12, and 24 months. The experimental groups received multipotent MSCs, mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs), adipose tissue progenitor stem cells (AD-MPCs), adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs), bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), bone marrow aspiration (BMA), bone marrow aspiration concentration (BMAC), or micro fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) while the controlled groups received normal saline (NS), hyaluronic acid (HA), placebo, or went through conservative management.In conclusion, significant improvements were noticed in the MSCs groups via different outcome measuring tools like KOOS, VAS, WOMAC, and MRI. Furthermore, no significant adverse events (AEs) have been observed. Therefore, intra-articular injections of MSCs are effective and safe in relieving pain and improving motor function in individuals with KOA in the short term, contrary to earlier research findings.

A tumor extends its effects beyond its local site, and one such effect is cancer cachexia which is caused by a state of systemic inflammation in response to cancer. Though the prominent effect of cancer cachexia is seen on skeletal muscles, it shows deterioration in other organs' smooth muscle, adipose tissue, blood, bone marrow, liver, and immunity. Interleukin (IL)-6 plays an imminent role along with tissue necrosis factoralpha, IL-1 beta, interferon-gamma, myostatin, adiponectin, growth differentiation factor-15, activin A, etc. These cytokines through nuclear factor-kappa beta, mitogen-activated protein kinase, suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic, and Janus activated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway activate genes inducing ubiquitin-proteosome system and reactive oxidative species. Apart from these, they participate in causing anemia and immunosuppression. Adipose tissue acts as a source of cytokines and place of action of cytokines leading to lipolysis. Moreover, these cytokines act at the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis change metabolism and add to anorexia which already exists in cancer patients. The involvement of multiple cytokines necessitates the development and testing of anti-cytokines in combinations.

Delirium is defined by the DSM-5 as a fluctuating course of disturbance in attention, cognition, and awareness that develops over a short period without any pre-existing neurocognitive disorder. As people age, there is an increased risk of complications that may occur following a surgical procedure and one such acute complication is delirium. Studies are emerging to reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium, and one such preventive measures implemented in recent years include the administration of dexmedetomidine, a high selectivity α-2 adrenoceptor agonist. This study aims to review the efficacy of Dexmedetomidine in the prevention of postoperative delirium in randomized controlled trials in patients older than 18 years of age. The literature was explored in three online databases, namely, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. Appropriate keywords and MesH terms were employed to scrutinize relevant articles that demonstrated the effects of dexmedetomidine in the prevention of postoperative delirium. The data was restricted to randomized controlled trials and clinical trials published from 2017 to 2021 in human patients older than >18 years of age undergoing non-cardiac-related procedures. The randomized clinical trials were critically assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We proceeded to screen 428 records with the assessment of the PRISMA chart and filtered out 420 papers to obtain a total of eight studies where we identified data such as sample size, types of surgeries in which the patients were involved, the delirium assessment tool, the plan of the administration of dexmedetomidine and the outcomes evaluated in each study. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) was the prevailing assessment tool used with the sole purpose to evaluate the incidence of postoperative delirium as the primary outcome, and assessment of inflammatory cytokines, sleep quality, and pain scales were considered as secondary outcomes. The dosage of dexmedetomidine varied among studies, and it displayed varying impacts on postoperative delirium and the secondary outcomes as well. Limitations include varying ages and ethnicities of the population. It was concluded that dexmedetomidine prevents the development of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgical interventions by modulating important predisposing factors such as neuroinflammation, pain, and sleep quality. No funding was made for this study.

Fistula-in-ano is a common proctological condition that primarily affects younger people and leads to chronic morbidity. An anal fistula is divided into simple and complex fistulas. A complex fistula is a challenging problem due to higher recurrence rates and incontinence associated with surgery. Many new methods have been developed for the closure of complex fistula-in-ano, but there is no single best method. The aim of this study is to identify a superior surgical technique for treating complex/high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas (HCPFs). A literature search was done using PubMed and Google Scholar for the period of 2012-2021. Articles that contain surgical treatment for complex anal fistula in the English language published in the last 10 years were included. The types of studies included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, systematic reviews, cohort studies, and traditional reviews. Articles excluded were those done more than 10 years ago, in other languages, and containing simple fistula management only. Nine studies were included in the review; a systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that no single method is effective. The ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure seems to be a promising and effective technique as it has a low rate of fecal incontinence as compared to other methods. Biological techniques give variable success rates so does fistula plug (FP). Mucosal advancement flap (MAF) and rerouting seton give good results according to one study. Fistula plug gives variable results and is not a preferred method.Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) seems to be a promising new technique for complex anal fistulas, but the data available is not enough to determine the best method. More randomized trials are required to compare traditional techniques and emerging new biological methods to see the best technique available.

Over the past decade, the consumption of marijuana or any other form of cannabis, whether medically, recreationally, or illegally, has been escalating worldwide. The additive effect of marijuana and the easy availability could make this increasing trend possible for imperceptible outcomes affecting one's physiology on multiple levels. The rationale of this review is to study and enumerate several effects marijuana may have on male reproductive organs, especially in men who are dealing with subfertility or infertility issues. A literature search was done from September 1, 2021, to September 14, 2021, using the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE), University of California, Santa Barbara Library, and PubMed Central. The studies included in this review comprised systematic reviews, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, and longitudinal studies published during 2010-2021 in the English language. After an extensive review of all studies, the quality was assessed using appropriate quality appraisal tools, and 15 eligible reports were identified and included. In-depth research on the final studies concluded that marijuana seems to have specific adverse effects on the sperm parameters, namely, sperm count, concentration, motility, morphology, capacitation, and viability, thus affecting fertility in men. Certain hormone levels, including testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, also drew attention, potentially impacting men's fertility; however, a finite inference could not be substantiated by the studies. Although the studies show significant effects in sperm parameters and organic sexual dysfunction, it is also to be noted that these studies are observational only and are conducted in small groups in multicenter geographical locations where other lifestyle patterns could be confounding. Given this restriction, it is suggested that further human trials on a larger scale be conducted to provide an even more concrete conclusion, especially after considering other factors that may affect the generalization of these trials.