Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Sequential Intragastric Balloon (IGB) Treatment for Super Obesity: A Single Centre Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: We aimed to assess outcomes in patients undergoing sequential intragastric balloon (IGB) treatment for obesity.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent treatment between May 2014 and February 2023 were identified. We recorded outcomes including: weight at 3-monthly intervals, progression to definitive bariatric procedure and morbidity.

Djäkamirr: Exploring principles used in piloting the training of First Nations doulas in a remote multilingual Northern Australian community setting.

Problem And Background: There is growing evidence in First Nations doula care as a strategy to address perinatal inequities and improve maternal care experiences. However, there is no evidence around the approach and principals required to successfully deliver First Nations doula (childbirth) training.

Question/aim: To explore and describe the approach and principles used in piloting the training of First Nations doulas in remote, multilingual Northern Australian community settings.

First Nations doulas: Training needs and industry support in the Top End, Northern Territory, Australia.

Problem And Background: First Nations doulas offer an innovative approach for strengthening capacity and increasing the Australian First Nations maternity workforce to improve access to services that produce optimal outcomes. Currently, there is no published evidence on the training needs and health sector industry support for developing a First Nations doula workforce.

Question/aim: In the context of the 'Top End,' Northern Territory, Australia, the aim of this article is to document Industry feedback on the training needs and support for developing a First Nations doula workforce.

Field Efficacy of , White Oil and Spinetoram for the Management of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, .

Citrus greening disease is devastating the citrus industry in Florida, and the conventional synthetic pesticide applications used to control the vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (AsCP), , are rapidly becoming unsustainable. Various laboratory experiments indicate that the entomopathogenic fungus , alone and in combination with horticultural oils, may offer a more sustainable strategy for the management of AsCP. Field studies conducted in 2018 and 2019 in mature citrus indicated that alone, mixed with white oil, and the chemical standard spinetoram mixed with white oil significantly suppressed AsCP adult populations by 61-83% up to 14 days after treatment in 2018, although colony-forming units of were still present on the leaves 21 days after treatment (DAT).

A rare cause of adult-onset bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

A 72-year-old man initially presented to the ENT outpatient department after 20 years with increasing intermittent episodes of dyspnoea and stridor. Flexible nasendoscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis with the cords in a medial position. He subsequently underwent urgent tracheostomy.

Gender representation in leadership roles in UK surgical societies.

Introduction: Despite making up more than half of new doctors, women are underrepresented in most surgical specialties. Various reasons have been suggested for this including issues with work-life balance, discrimination and a lack of female role models in the specialty. We sought to quantify the extent of gender discrimination in leadership roles in surgical societies in the UK.

Oncolytic reovirus as a combined antiviral and anti-tumour agent for the treatment of liver cancer.

Objective: Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent promising, proinflammatory cancer treatments. Here, we explored whether OV-induced innate immune responses could simultaneously inhibit HCV while suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, we extended this exemplar to other models of virus-associated cancer.

Outcome of long interval radiological surveillance of side branch pancreatic duct-involved intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in selected patients.

Introduction: Side branch IPMN (SB-IPMN) of the pancreas has a malignancy rate between 10 and 20%. We hypothesized that surveillance at longer intervals on selected patients with SB-IPMN might be indicated.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of 276 patients presenting from 2000 to 2010.

Best Practices for Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy: Dosing and Long-Term Management.

Introduction: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy aims to reduce spasticity and provide functional control.

Method: An expert panel consulted on best practices.

Results: Pump fill and drug delivery can be started intraoperatively, with monitoring for at least eight hours.

Efficacy of Inpatient Rehabilitation After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become an increasingly popular and effective means for treating advanced heart failure. LVAD implantation requires extensive surgery and postoperative rehabilitation. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) has been used to quantify functional gains in numerous patient populations, including those with stroke and spinal cord injury.

Pregnancy tumour of the external auditory canal: treatment in clinic.

We present the case of a 29-year-old woman with a symptomatic lobular capillary haemangioma (pregnancy tumour) arising from the external ear canal. A literature review shows this to be an uncommon lesion in a rare location. The lesion was successfully diagnosed and treated in clinic with complete resolution and no recurrence.

Macrocytosis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a case report.

Background: Although other blood dyscrasias are known to cause sudden sensorineural hearing loss, macrocytosis has not previously been implicated in the absence of another causative agent.

Case Report: We present a case of bilateral sequential sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a patient with significant macrocytosis (mean corpuscular volume at presentation 124 fl) secondary to alcohol-induced liver dysfunction.

Conclusion: A possible pathophysiological mechanism linking macrocytosis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss was identified, suggesting areas for further investigation.

Controlled infection with a therapeutic virus defines the activation kinetics of human natural killer cells in vivo.

Human natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in anti-viral immunity. However, studying their activation kinetics during infection is highly problematic. A clinical trial of a therapeutic virus provided an opportunity to study human NK cell activation in vivo in a controlled manner.

Should we use fingerbreadth measurements in submandibular gland surgery? A critical appraisal of the technique.

Objectives: Having observed variation in the breadth of surgeons' fingers whilst they are placing the incision for submandibular gland surgery, we aimed to examine this technique of incision siting, quantify the differences in fingerbreadths and consider any consequences of variability.

Methods: Surgeons trained in salivary gland surgery were questioned on their method of incision placement for submandibular gland surgery. The breadth of index and middle fingers were subsequently measured using Vernier calipers.

Viral warfare! Front-line defence and arming the immune system against cancer using oncolytic vaccinia and other viruses.

Background: Despite mankind's many achievements, we are yet to find a cure for cancer. We are now approaching a new era which recognises the promise of harnessing the immune system for anti-cancer therapy. Pathogens have been implicated for decades as potential anti-cancer agents, but implementation into clinical therapy has been plagued with significant drawbacks.

The value of care provided by student doulas: an examination of the perceptions of women in their care.

This study provides an examination of women's perceptions of care provided by student doulas undertaking a formal qualification in doula support services. Feedback forms completed by women attended by student doulas undertaking a formal qualification in doula support services were analyzed. The women (N = 160) consistently rated the student doulas' contribution to their experience of birth favorably.

Variation in referral practice for patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Background: Half of patients with colorectal cancer develop liver metastases. There remains great variability between hospitals in rates of liver resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLM). This study aimed to determine how many patients with potentially resectable CLM are not seen by specialist liver surgeons.

Systematic review of anorectal varices.

Aim: Anorectal varices are an uncommon, but significant, source of bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. The aim of this article was to review systematically the available literature on the aetiology, clinical presentation and management of anorectal varices, and to suggest a simple treatment algorithm based on available evidence and local expertise.

Method: A systematic literature search was carried out to identify articles on anorectal varices, and the search strategy identified 57 relevant references.

Perioperative influenza vaccination reduces postoperative metastatic disease by reversing surgery-induced dysfunction in natural killer cells.

Purpose: Surgical removal of solid primary tumors is an essential component of cancer treatment. Surgery-induced dysfunction in natural killer (NK) cells has been linked to the development of metastases in animal models and patients with cancer. We investigated the activation of NK cells using influenza vaccine in the perioperative period to eradicate micrometastatic disease.