Publications by authors named "Elsie Mensah"
Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of office-based Holmium:YAG laser ablation for the treatment of recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all consecutive patients who underwent office-based laser ablation for recurrent bladder cancer between 2008 and 2016. The following data were collected: original histology, date of original histology, date of laser ablation, number of repeat laser ablation procedures required, date of tumor recurrence or progression, number of general anesthesia procedures (transurethral resection or cystodiathermy) required after first laser ablation, and number and severity of complications.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the bleeding risks for patients on anticoagulants (AC) and antiplatelets (AP) receiving BoNT-A injections, in order to enhance decision-making and patient counseling prior to procedures.
- A retrospective review was conducted on 532 patients over two years, revealing that out of 63 patients on AC/AP therapy, only one episode (0.88%) resulted in significant bleeding that required intervention, which resolved on its own.
- The findings suggest that continuing AC/AP therapy during intravesical BoNT-A injections is generally safe, with minimal risk of complications.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the safety of urological admissions and surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic using designated "hot" and "cold" sites.
- A total of 611 patients were analyzed, revealing a low incidence of COVID-19 infections (3.3%) among those who underwent procedures, with only one postoperative death linked to the virus.
- Key risk factors for contracting COVID-19 included longer hospital stays, indicating that while urological procedures could continue safely, there remained some level of risk associated with the virus.
Objectives: Expression of prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway enzymes in mucinous pancreatic cysts is unknown. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition is a potential cancer chemoprevention strategy for these lesions. We evaluated the expression of COX-2, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), and protein kinase B (AKT) in the epithelium of pancreatic cysts and correlated enzyme expression with aspirin (ASA) use and cyst fluid prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGalanin (GAL) is a 29 amino acid peptide, first identified from the porcine intestine and widely distributed within the brain and peripheral tissues. Among GAL biological functions, its role as a potent appetite-stimulating peptide is probably the most studied. With galanin's established role in the modulation of food intake in fish, this study aims to evaluate the effects of GAL on the intestinal motility of the goldfish, Carassius auratus, using an organ bath system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGalanin-like peptide (GALP) is a 60 amino acid neuropeptide originally discovered from porcine hypothalamus, and is involved in the regulation of food intake in mammals. Since its discovery, GALP and its receptors (GALR1 and GALR2) have been characterized in mammals, but no publications are available on GALP in fish and other non-mammals. The present study aimed to characterize brain and intestinal GALP and its receptors using immunohistochemistry in a teleost, the goldfish (Carassius auratus), and to study its effects on feeding behavior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Of Review: Intraductal biliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an emerging therapeutic modality that directly targets malignant biliary strictures during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This article reviews the technology, endoscopic technique, and reported outcomes of endoscopic RFA in the management of malignant biliary strictures.
Recent Findings: Biliary RFA is feasible and has a high technical success rate.
Article Synopsis
- Post-operative single dose intravesical chemotherapy (PSDIVC) has been shown to reduce bladder cancer recurrence rates by up to 39%, but compliance is hampered by issues like logistical challenges and reluctance to administer chemotherapy before confirming diagnosis.
- This study evaluates PSDIVC practices at St. Mary's Hospital and aims to align them with European guidelines by implementing a new intervention bundle.
- After the intervention, there was a notable increase in PSAIVC administration, with 50% of NMIBC patients receiving it compared to just 28% before the changes were made.
Objectives: To assess the impact on suspected cancer referral burden and new cancer diagnosis of Public Health England's recent Be Clear on Cancer 'blood in pee' mass media campaign.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used. For two distinct time periods, August 2012 to May 2013 and August 2013 to May 2014, all referrals of patients deemed to be at risk of urological cancer by the referring primary healthcare physician to Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust were screened.
Galanin is a well characterized multifunctional neuropeptide in mammals. Galanin has been identified from several fishes, amphibians, reptiles and birds. A large set of data is available on galanin-like protein distribution and peptide and/or mRNA sequences in non-mammalian vertebrates.
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