Perceived barriers and facilitators of day-case surgery for major foot and ankle procedures? A cross-sectional survey of United Kingdom surgeons.

Background: Advances in minimally invasive surgery and improved post-operative pain management make it possible to consider performing even major foot/ankle operations as day-case. This could have significant benefits for patients and the health service. However there are theoretical concerns about post-operative complications and patient satisfaction due to pain.

Normative isometric plantarflexion strength values for professional level, male rugby union athletes.

Objectives: The primary aim was to establish normative values of isometric plantarflexor muscle strength in professional male rugby union players and compare forwards with backs. The secondary aims were to examine how individual playing position or age influences isometric plantarflexor strength.

Design: Cross-sectional.

MIR-144-mediated NRF2 gene silencing inhibits fetal hemoglobin expression in sickle cell disease.

Inherited genetic modifiers and pharmacologic agents that enhance fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression reverse the clinical severity of sickle cell disease (SCD). Recent efforts to develop novel strategies of HbF induction include discovery of molecular targets that regulate γ-globin gene transcription and translation. The purpose of this study was to perform genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) analysis to identify genes associated with HbF expression in patients with SCD.

The lived experience of US parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Current US statistics indicate that 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (Centers for Disease Control (2014) Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years-autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 Sites, United States, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)). The lived experience of parents with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is important to know since quantitative studies have indicated that higher rates of mental disorders exist in this population as compared to parents of typically developing children (Yirmiya and Shaked (2005) Psychiatric disorders in parents of children with autism: a meta-analysis.

Therapeutic implications of vitamin D and calcium in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To assess effects of vitamin D and Calcium (Ca) on hormonal and metabolic milieu of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Single arm open label trial.

Methods: Twelve overweight and vitamin D deficient women with PCOS underwent a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance testing at baseline and following 3-month supplementation with vitamin D (daily dose of 3533 IU, increased to 8533 IU after the first five participants) and 530 mg elemental Ca daily.