Synthetic cannabinoid identification in cases associated with blue lotus and valerian root vaping products.

Synthetic cannabinoids emerged in the early 21st century and have continued to evolve and flourish to present day. Like other novel psychoactive substances (NPS), synthetic cannabinoids have been sold under the guise of legitimate products. Some examples include "potpourri," "incense," and herbal material.

A survey of free-range egg farmers in the United Kingdom: Knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use and resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global challenge affecting human health and attention has been drawn to practices of all stakeholders involved in antimicrobial prescription and administration, including in the livestock sector. This survey of free-range egg farmers ( = 117) was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use, and identify farmer-led solutions towards responsible antimicrobial use. Most participants proved knowledgeable of AMR and selected treatments based on principles of responsible medicine use.

Acute and chronic stress prevents responses to pain in zebrafish: evidence for stress-induced analgesia.

The state of an animal prior to the application of a noxious stimulus can have a profound effect on their nociceptive threshold and subsequent behaviour. In mammals, the presence of acute stress preceding a painful event can have an analgesic effect whereas the presence of chronic stress can result in hyperalgesia. While considerable research has been conducted on the ability of stress to modulate mammalian responses to pain, relatively little is known about fish.

A qualitative content analysis of retained surgical items: learning from root cause analysis investigations.

Objective: To describe incidents of retained surgical items, including their characteristics and the circumstances in which they occur.

Design: A qualitative content analysis of root cause analysis investigation reports.

Setting: Public health services in Victoria, Australia, 2010-2015.

Computer assisted orthopaedic surgery: Past, present and future.

Computer technology is ubiquitous and relied upon in virtually all professional activities including neurosurgery, which is why it is surprising that it is not the case for orthopaedic surgery with fewer than 5% of surgeons using available computer technology in their procedures. In this review, we explore the evolution and background of Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS), delving into the basic principles behind the technology and the changes in the discussion on the subject throughout the years and the impact these discussions had on the field. We found evidence that industry had an important role in driving the discussion at least in knee arthroplasty-a leading field of CAOS-with the ratio between patents and publications increased from approximately 1:10 in 2004 to almost 1:3 in 2014.

Fulfilment of preoperative expectations and postoperative patient satisfaction after total knee replacement. A prospective analysis of 200 patients.

Background: In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the association between preoperative patient expectations, their postoperative fulfilment, and satisfaction is not well understood. The aim of this study was to quantify these relationships in a cohort of TKA patients with differing socio-economic backgrounds from across Scotland.

Methods: Expectations of 200 patients undergoing TKA were assessed using the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectation Score.

Automated monitoring of behaviour in zebrafish after invasive procedures.

Fish are used in a variety of experimental contexts often in high numbers. To maintain their welfare and ensure valid results during invasive procedures it is vital that we can detect subtle changes in behaviour that may allow us to intervene to provide pain-relief. Therefore, an automated method, the Fish Behaviour Index (FBI), was devised and used for testing the impact of laboratory procedures and efficacy of analgesic drugs in the model species, the zebrafish.

A new landmark for measuring tibial component rotation after total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Existing methods for assessment of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) component rotation on computed tomography (CT) scans are complex, especially in relation to the tibial component. Anecdotal evidence from our practice pointed towards a potential new landmark. The study aims were to check the prevalence of this landmark, define tibial component rotation in relation to it and demonstrate its reliability.

A survey of dairy cow farmers in the United Kingdom: knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use and resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the most pressing challenges facing humanity. This survey of dairy cow farmers (n=372) was conducted to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding veterinary medicine use and to identify farmer-led solutions to reducing, replacing and refining antimicrobial use. Antimicrobials were the most commonly reported veterinary medicines used.

Retrospective analysis of the Photo at Discharge scheme and readmission for surgical site infection following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a costly and devastating complication of surgery. Many cardiac SSIs develop after the patient leaves hospital, but evidence demonstrating the benefit of patient/carer involvement in the process of monitoring and promptly identifying SSI post-discharge is limited. This study estimates the probability of readmission for SSI for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients receiving the Photo at Discharge (PaD).

Surgical site infection in overweight and obese Total Knee Arthroplasty patients.

Purpose: This aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), to improve our understanding of the associations between infection rate and obesity.

Methods: Data was reviewed for 839 primary TKA procedures performed at a National Arthroplasty Centre over one year (April 2007-March 2008). SSI data was collected at 30 days and one year post-operatively.

Minimally invasive total knee replacement: techniques and results.

In this review, we outlined the definition of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in total knee replacement (TKR) and described the different surgical approaches reported in the literature. Afterwards, we went through the most recent studies assessing MIS TKR. Next, we searched for potential limitations of MIS knee replacement and tried to answer the following questions: Are there selective criteria and specific patient selection for MIS knee surgery? If there are, then what are they? After all, a discussion and conclusion completed this article.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection Following Lower Limb Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of 3932 Lower Limb Arthroplasty Procedures in a High Volume Arthroplasty Unit.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a debilitating complication of lower limb arthroplasty with significant morbidity and increased costs. Numerous risk factors are associated with SSI.

Methods: In an effort to identify novel risk factors for SSI, we undertook a retrospective cohort study of 1832 primary total hip arthroplasties and 2100 primary total knee arthroplasties performed in our high volume arthroplasty unit over a 2-year period.

State-dependent judgement bias in : evidence for evolutionarily primitive affective processes.

Affective states influence decision-making under ambiguity in humans and other animals. Individuals in a negative state tend to interpret ambiguous cues more negatively than individuals in a positive state. We demonstrate that the fruit fly, , also exhibits state-dependent changes in cue interpretation.

Are root cause analyses recommendations effective and sustainable? An observational study.

Objective: To assess the strength of root cause analysis (RCA) recommendations and their perceived levels of effectiveness and sustainability.

Design: All RCAs related to sentinel events (SEs) undertaken between the years 2010 and 2015 in the public health system in Victoria, Australia were analysed. The type and strength of each recommendation in the RCA reports were coded by an expert patient safety classifier using the US Department of Veteran Affairs type and strength criteria.

Patient Factors Associated with Shorter Length of Stay Following Total Hip Arthroplasty-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an increasingly common procedure in the United Kingdom and incurs vast costs, with a mean length of stay (LOS) of 5.5 days. Reducing LOS plays a key role in improving cost-effectiveness, morbidity, and patient satisfaction following many orthopaedic procedures.

Lessons learnt from incidents involving the airway and breathing reported from Australasian emergency departments.

Objective: To review incident reports relating to problems encountered during the ED management of patients with 'airway or breathing' problems, with the aim of finding and highlighting common themes within these rare events, and making recommendations to further improve patient safety in the areas in which deficiencies have been identified.

Methods: Thematic analysis of 36 incidents reported from Australasian EDs, which were related to problems with airway and breathing.

Results: In all, 51 problems were identified among the 36 incidents related to airway and/or breathing.

A randomized controlled trial to compare component placement in navigated total knee arthroplasty using original and streamlined registration processes.

Background: This randomized controlled trial validated a redesigned version of navigated total knee arthroplasty software with a streamlined registration (Smart) against the previous version (Classic). The objectives were to determine if Smart software had the same accuracy of component positioning and whether registration and operative time were reduced.

Methods: A total of 220 patients were recruited and had a navigated total knee arthroplasty performed.

Lower limb alignment and laxity measures before, during and after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective cohort study.

Background: This study compared knee alignment and laxity in patients before, during and after total knee arthroplasty, using methodologically similar procedures, with an aim to help inform pre-operative planning.

Methods: Eighteen male and 13 female patients were recruited, mean age 66years (51-82) and mean body mass index of 33 (23-43). All were assessed pre- and postoperatively using a non-invasive infrared position capture system and all underwent total knee arthroplasty using a navigation system.

Mixed methods study on the use of and attitudes towards safety checklists in interventional radiology.

Introduction: The use of safety checklists in interventional radiology is an intervention aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity. Currently there is little known about their practical use in Australian radiology departments. The primary aim of this mixed methods study was to evaluate how safety checklists (SC) are used and completed in radiology departments within Australian hospitals, and attitudes towards their use as described by Australian radiologists.

Total Hip Arthroplasty Improves Pain and Function but Not Physical Activity.

Background: People with hip osteoarthritis are likely to limit physical activity (PA) engagement due to pain and lack of function. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) reduces pain and improves function, potentially allowing increased PA. PA of THA patients was quantified to 12 months postoperation.

A comparison of outcomes in morbidly obese, obese and non-obese patients undergoing primary total knee and total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Obesity is a growing public health issue with the prevalence of morbid obesity, (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m) increasing. There is some evidence these patients have more peri- and post-operative complications and poorer outcomes when undergoing arthroplasty procedures. This audit aimed to determine and compare the outcomes of non-obese, obese and morbidly obese patients undergoing arthroplasty at our institution.

The technique of delivery of peri-operative analgesia does not affect the rehabilitation or outcomes following total knee arthroplasty.

Aims: This non-blinded randomised controlled trial compared the effect of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) versus local infiltration analgesia (LIA) within an established enhanced recovery programme on the attainment of discharge criteria and recovery one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis was that LIA would increase the proportion of patients discharged from rehabilitation by the fourth post-operative day but would not affect outcomes at one year.

Patients And Methods: A total of 242 patients were randomised; 20 were excluded due to failure of spinal anaesthesia leaving 109 patients in the PCEA group and 113 in the LIA group.