Advances in the Treatment of Dysphagia in Neurological Disorders: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Considerations.

Dysphagia, which refers to difficult and/or disordered swallowing, is a common problem associated with various neurological diseases such as stroke, motor neuron diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Traditionally, dysphagia treatments are either compensatory, which includes modifications of bolus texture or feeding posture, or rehabilitative, which includes behavioral exercises and sensory stimulation. Despite being widely adopted in clinical practice, recent views have challenged the clinical efficacy of these treatments due to the low level of evidence supported by mainly non-controlled studies.

A review of the clinical assistant workforce at a district general hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: In April 2020, a new workforce of clinical assistants (CAs), comprising predominantly of medical students, began work at Northampton General Hospital. Clinical-years students had a role similar to final-year student assistants; pre-clinical students were offered a healthcare assistant role. This research aimed to evaluate both CAs' and clinicians' perceptions of this programme.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of probiotics for the management of radiation induced bowel disease.

Background & Aims: A meta-analysis to estimate the efficacy of probiotics in prevention of radiation-induced bowel disease after pelvic radiotherapy has been performed. Previous attempts have arguably failed to provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials and their outcomes.

Methods: We searched for studies indexed in Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and on-line clinical trials registers.

Fissurectomy with posterior midline sphincterotomy for management of chronic anal fissure.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of fissurectomy with posterior midline sphincterotomy in the management of chronic anal fissure in terms of symptomatic relief, complications and recurrence.

Study Design: Observational case-series.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Surgery, Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro/Hyderabad, for a period of 3 years from January 2005 to December 2007.