Prevalence and potential implications of HPV infection in transgender women with gender reaffirming genital surgery: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection of the anogenital tract. Although most infections clear, persistent infections with oncogenic types can predispose to cancer. While the natural history of anogenital HPV infection in cisgendered women is relatively well understood, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding HPV prevalence and clinical implications of genital HPV infection in transgender women (TGW) with neovagina(s).

Effect of time and temperature on the stability of HPV and cellular nucleic acid using simulated dry self-samples.

Background: Self-sampling is now a key component within HPV-based cervical screening programmes to engage individuals and enhance participation. As self-sampling is relatively new, information on the influence of pre-analytical parameters such as transit-temperature and time between sampling and testing on HPV test results requires detailed investigation.

Methods: FLOQSwabs® and Evalyn Brushes® were used to assess HPV and cellular stability over a 30-week period (0w,4w,12w,30w) at 4 °C, ambient, and 37 °C.

Human papillomavirus genotype and cycle threshold value from self-samples and risk of high-grade cervical lesions: A post hoc analysis of a modified stepped-wedge implementation feasibility trial.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing of self-collected vaginal samples has potential to improve coverage of cervical screening programmes, but current guidelines mostly require those HPV positive on a self-sample to attend for routine screening.

Methods And Findings: A pragmatic modified stepped-wedge implementation feasibility trial was conducted at primary care practices in England. Individuals aged 25 to 64 years who were at least 6 months overdue for cervical screening could provide a self-collected sample.

Clinical Performance of OncoPredict HPV Screening Assay on Self-Collected Vaginal and Urine Specimens Within the VALHUDES Framework.

The introduction of self-sampling in cervical cancer screening has raised the importance of HPV test validation on self-collected samples. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical accuracy of the OncoPredict HPV Screening (SCR) assay on self-collected vaginal and first-void urine (FVU) samples, relative to cervical specimens, using the VALHUDES Framework. FVU and vaginal self-samples followed by a clinician-collected cervical brushing were collected from 500 women referred to colposcopy and tested using OncoPredict HPV SCR assay.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of middle-aged and older Europeans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a general decline in well-being. However, there is limited evidence on the effect of the pandemic on the general population, and especially among the ageing population. We assessed the overall impact of the pandemic on the well-being of middle-aged and older adults residing in 27 European countries, focusing on the time-period before summer 2021.

Caring for Long Covid patients in primary healthcare: a cross-sectional study on general practitioners' knowledge, perception and experience in Belgium and Malta.

Background: At least 10% of Covid-19 recovered individuals experience persistent symptoms (Long Covid). Primary healthcare and general practitioners (GPs) are at the forefront in their care. In this study, GPs' knowledge, perceptions and experiences with Long Covid, and the definition used in two countries, are investigated to provide insight into GPs' care for Long Covid patients at a cross-country level.

Criteria for second generation comparator tests in validation of novel HPV DNA tests for use in cervical cancer screening.

While HC2 and GP5+/6+ PCR-EIA were pivotal in test validation of new HPV assays, they represent the first generation of comparator tests based upon technologies that are not in widespread use anymore. In the current guideline, criteria for second-generation comparator tests are presented that include more detailed resolution of HPV genotypes. Second-generation comparator tests should preferentially target only the 12 genotypes classified as carcinogenic (IARC-group I), and show consistent non-inferior sensitivity for CIN2+ and CIN3+ and specificity for ≤CIN1 compared to one of the first-generations comparators, in at least three validation studies using benchmarks of 0.

Assessing real world vaccine effectiveness: A review of Scotland's approach to monitoring human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine impact on HPV infection and cervical disease.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections can progress to cervical cancer which is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. In Scotland, the incidence of cervical cancer has a strong socioeconomic deprivation gradient disproportionately affecting women from more deprived areas. An HPV vaccination programme was initiated in Scotland in 2008 targeting girls aged 12-13 years with a catch-up campaign running for the first three years for girls aged up to 18 years.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary arising from a mature cystic teratoma associated with hypercalcaemia.

We present a rare case of a 40-year-old nulliparous lady, with no past medical or surgical history, who was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the right ovary that originated from a mature cystic ovarian teratoma. Our patient underwent debulking total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and partial omentectomy followed by postoperative carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy. Rapid disease progression ensued, complicated by severe parathyroid hormone-related protein-induced hypercalcaemia resistant to medical therapy.

A Good Night's Sleep in Malta in 2023: A Cross-sectional Study Exploring Sleep Quality and its Determinants via Social Media.

Background: Sleep quality is affected by a plethora of different factors, although its relationship with chronic diseases is still unclear. This study explored perceived sleep quality and its associated determinants among the adult population of Malta. A cross-sectional study.

National health examination surveys; a source of critical data.

The aim of this paper is to contribute technical arguments to the debate about the importance of health examination surveys and their continued use during the post-pandemic health financing crisis, and in the context of a technological innovation boom that offers new ways of collecting and analysing individual health data (e.g. artificial intelligence).

Regulation of vascular endothelial integrity by mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicles after hemorrhagic shock and trauma.

Background: Patients with hemorrhagic shock and trauma (HS/T) are vulnerable to the endotheliopathy of trauma (EOT), characterized by vascular barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and coagulopathy. Cellular therapies such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proposed as potential therapies targeting the EOT. In this study we investigated the effects of MSCs and MSC EVs on endothelial and epithelial barrier integrity in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model of HS/T.

Fever and infections in surgical intensive care: an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Critical Care Committee clinical consensus document.

The evaluation and workup of fever and the use of antibiotics to treat infections is part of daily practice in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Fever can be infectious or non-infectious; it is important to distinguish between the two entities wherever possible. The evidence is growing for shortening the duration of antibiotic treatment of common infections.

Surgical and procedural antibiotic prophylaxis in the surgical ICU: an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Critical Care Committee clinical consensus document.

The use of prophylactic measures, including perioperative antibiotics, for the prevention of surgical site infections is a standard of care across surgical specialties. Unfortunately, the routine guidelines used for routine procedures do not always account for many of the factors encountered with urgent/emergent operations and critically ill or high-risk patients. This clinical consensus document created by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Critical Care Committee is one of a three-part series and reviews surgical and procedural antibiotic prophylaxis in the surgical intensive care unit.

Scanning the aged to minimize missed injury: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study.

Background: Despite the high incidence of blunt trauma in older adults, there is a lack of evidence-based guidance for computed tomography (CT) imaging in this population. We aimed to identify an algorithm to guide use of a pan-scan (head/cervical spine [C-spine]/torso) or a selective scan (head/C-spine ± torso). We hypothesized that a patient's initial history and examination could be used to guide imaging.