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.

From Trauma to Tumor: Exploring Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Glioblastoma Patient Characteristics.

Objective: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is very rare and has not been comprehensively characterized by current literature. This systematic review aimed to characterize demographics of patients with post-TBI GBM.

Methods: A systematic review of case studies and case series was conducted for reports published up to April 2023.

Force-adjustable parallel-occlusion grasper.

Background: During laparoscopic surgery, the operating surgeon grasps sections of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including delicate structures, with long (270 mm) 5 mm diameter graspers. These grasping instruments increase the risk of iatrogenic damage due to crushing of the grasped tissue. This risk is increased significantly by diseases such as bacterial peritonitis and inflammatory bowel disease and reduced but not abolished by using parallel-closing laparoscopic instruments.

LITT for biopsy proven radiation necrosis: A qualitative systematic review.

Introduction: With the widespread use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), post-radiation treatment effects (PTREs) are increasing in prevalence. Radiation necrosis (RN) is a serious PTRE which carries a poor prognosis. Since 2012, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has been used to treat RN.

Cerebroprotective effects of derivatives extracts against MCAO ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

(MO), has been studied extensively, and has numerous medicinal and socioeconomic benefits. Emerging research has investigated the efficacy of MO extract and/or its phytochemical derivatives against ischemic stroke . To date, no studies comprehensively reviewing the effects of MO extract and/or its phytochemical derivatives against ischemic stroke have been published.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Mediterranean region over 18 months: bridging the health outcomes and sustainable development goals.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, including across the Mediterranean basin. This region presents diversity in economy, culture, and societal affairs. We attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the population and on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our aim being to aid in the development of COVID-19 national plans.

Allied Health Professional Students' Perceptions on Research: A Multi-disciplinary Mixed-Methods Study.

Introduction: Modern medicine necessitates evidence-based interdisciplinary patient care. Research is at the centre of fostering an evidence-based mindset in healthcare teams. Studies have demonstrated that exposing students to research translates into better patient care.

Initial 50 consecutive full-robotic pancreatoduodenectomies without conversion by a single surgeon: a learning curve analysis from a tertiary referral high-volume center.

Background: Several studies report on a learning curve for robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (R-PD) ranging between 20 and 80 operations, with conversion rates varying between 1.1 and 35%. However, as these publications mostly refer to initial robotic experiences and do not take into account the previous surgical background in pancreatic surgery (PS) and in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), the center's volume, as well as the platform used, we aimed to perform a surgical outcomes analysis with a particular view to these aspects.

Closed loop deep brain stimulation: A systematic scoping review.

Background: At the turn of the 21st century, closed-loop deep brain stimulation (CL-DBS) systems have emerged as promising neuromodulatory treatment strategies, that integrate real-time feedback based on the brain's condition to fine-tune the stimulation being applied. CL-DBS promises numerous advantages over open-loop deep brain stimulation (OL-DBS) systems. However, no up-to-date review articles are available which characterise the clinical outcomes of CL-DBS therapy.

Breaking down the silos of artificial intelligence in surgery: glossary of terms.

Background: The literature on artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery has advanced rapidly during the past few years. However, the published studies on AI are mostly reported by computer scientists using their own jargon which is unfamiliar to surgeons.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in using PubMed following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.

5G in Healthcare: From COVID-19 to Future Challenges.

Worldwide up to May 2022 there have been 515 million cases of COVID-19 infection and over 6 million deaths. The World Health Organization estimated that 115,000 healthcare workers died from COVID-19 from January 2020 to May 2021. This toll on human lives prompted this review on 5G based networking primarily on major components of healthcare delivery: diagnosis, patient monitoring, contact tracing, diagnostic imaging tests, vaccines distribution, emergency medical services, telesurgery and robot-assisted tele-ultrasound.

A Case for Cross-Border Governance? A Comparative Trend Assessment of COVID-19 Transmission, Vaccination, and Outcomes Among 35 Nations in Europe Across 18 months.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread globally, including across Europe, resulting in different morbidity and mortality outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic over 18 mo in relation to the effect of COVID-19 vaccination at a population level across 35 nations in Europe, while evaluating the data for cross-border epidemiological trends to identify any pertinent lessons that can be implemented in the future.

Methods: Epidemiological data were obtained from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and Our World in Data databases while Ministry of Health websites of each respective country and local newspapers were used for COVID-19-related vaccination strategies.

Soft hybrid intrinsically motile robot for wireless small bowel enteroscopy.

Background: Difficulties in establishing diagnosis of small bowel (SB) disorders, prevented their effective treatment. This problem was largely resolved by wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE), which has since become the first line investigation for suspected SB disorders. Several types of WCE pills are now used in clinical practice, despite their limitations and complications.

Ensemble deep learning for the prediction of proficiency at a virtual simulator for robot-assisted surgery.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance patient safety in surgery, and all its aspects, including education and training, will derive considerable benefit from AI. In the present study, deep-learning models were used to predict the rates of proficiency acquisition in robot-assisted surgery (RAS), thereby providing surgical programs directors information on the levels of the innate ability of trainees to facilitate the implementation of flexible personalized training.

Methods: 176 medical students, without prior experience with surgical simulators, were trained to reach proficiency in five tasks on a virtual simulator for RAS.

An observational study of the Covid-19 situation following the first pan-European mass sports event.

Background: All events in Europe, including EURO2020 football championship, were postponed due to Covid-19 in 2020. Instead, Euro2020 took place in 2021, as mitigation measures were relaxed, cross-country mobility increased and the Delta variant was spreading across Europe. This study explored the possibility of an increased Covid-19 spread across Europe following EURO2020 matches.

Medical Students' Perceptions on Research: Results from a Small European Island State.

Background: A crucial aspect of medical education is research training. Many studies have been conducted targeting the publishing rate among medical students, but information is lacking about the perceptions of medical students towards research, especially of students studying in small island states. This study aims to investigate students' perceptions towards research and increase the insight on what motivates and hinders medical students to conduct research.

A systematic review on artificial intelligence in robot-assisted surgery.

Background: Despite the extensive published literature on the significant potential of artificial intelligence (AI) there are no reports on its efficacy in improving patient safety in robot-assisted surgery (RAS). The purposes of this work are to systematically review the published literature on AI in RAS, and to identify and discuss current limitations and challenges.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEExplore according to PRISMA 2020 statement.

Wnt/PCP signalling cascade disruption by JNK inhibition as a potential mechanism underlying the teratogenic effects of potato glycoalkaloids.

It is hypothesised that the inhibition of the non-canonical Wnt/PCP intracellular signalling cascade by potato glycoalkaloids, [Formula: see text]-solanine and [Formula: see text]-chaconine, results in an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). One very prominent intracellular signalling pathway with substantial implications in the development and closure of the neural tube is the Wnt/PCP pathway. Experimental inhibition of this results in NTDs.

Hydro-jet propelled colonoscopy: proof of concept in a phantom colon.

Background: Colonoscopy is a widely used and effective procedure, but it often causes patient discomfort and its execution requires considerable skill and training. We demonstrate an alternative approach to colonoscope propulsion with the potential to minimise patient discomfort by reducing the forces exerted on the colonic wall and mesentery, and to reduce the level of skill required for execution.

Methods: A prototype colonoscopic device is described, consisting of a tethered capsule that is propelled and manoeuvred through a water-filled colon (hydro-colonoscopy) by an array of water jets.

Use of barbed suture without fashioning the "classical" Wirsung-jejunostomy in a modified end-to-side robotic pancreatojejunostomy.

Background: The treatment of the pancreatic stump is a critical step of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) can facilitate minimally invasive challenging abdominal procedures, including pancreatojejunostomy. However, one of the major limitations of RAS stems from its lack of tactile feedback that can lead to pancreatic parenchyma laceration during knot tying or during traction on the suture.

Objective assessment of surgical operative performance by observational clinical human reliability analysis (OCHRA): a systematic review.

Background: Both morbidity and mortality data (MMD) and learning curves (LCs) do not provide information on the nature of intraoperative errors and their mechanisms when these adversely impact on patient outcome. OCHRA was developed specifically to address the unmet surgical need for an objective assessment technique of the quality of technical execution of operations at individual operator level. The aim of this systematic review was to review of OCHRA as a method of objective assessment of surgical operative performance.

A Soft Pneumatic Inchworm Double balloon (SPID) for colonoscopy.

The design of a smart robot for colonoscopy is challenging because of the limited available space, slippery internal surfaces, and tortuous 3D shape of the human colon. Locomotion forces applied by an endoscopic robot may damage the colonic wall and/or cause pain and discomfort to patients. This study reports a Soft Pneumatic Inchworm Double balloon (SPID) mini-robot for colonoscopy consisting of two balloons connected by a 3 degrees of freedom soft pneumatic actuator.