Strontium isoscape of sub-Saharan Africa allows tracing origins of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Strontium isotope (Sr/Sr) analysis with reference to strontium isotope landscapes (Sr isoscapes) allows reconstructing mobility and migration in archaeology, ecology, and forensics. However, despite the vast potential of research involving Sr/Sr analysis particularly in Africa, Sr isoscapes remain unavailable for the largest parts of the continent. Here, we measure the Sr/Sr ratios in 778 environmental samples from 24 African countries and combine this data with published data to model a bioavailable Sr isoscape for sub-Saharan Africa using random forest regression.

Beyond reliability: assessing rater competence when using a behavioural marker system.

Background: Behavioural marker systems are used across several healthcare disciplines to assess behavioural (non-technical) skills, but rater training is variable, and inter-rater reliability is generally poor. Inter-rater reliability provides data about the tool, but not the competence of individual raters. This study aimed to test the inter-rater reliability of a new behavioural marker system (PhaBS - pharmacists' behavioural skills) with clinically experienced faculty raters and near-peer raters.

Combined Cytokine Blockade Therapy (CCBT) Using Basiliximab and Infliximab for Treatment of Steroid-Refractory Graft-Versus-Host Disease (SR-GvHD).

Background: The standard first-line treatment for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is systemic, high-dose glucocorticoids which have historically had limited responses. Combined cytokine blockade therapy (CCBT) with the monoclonal antibodies infliximab (a TNF-α inhibitor) and basiliximab (an IL-2 receptor blocker) has had limited discussion in the literature.

Methods: Sixty patients with steroid-refractory aGVHD were analyzed.

Burden of illness of non-hematopoietic stem cell transplant-related hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome: A systematic review.

Background: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)/veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is generally associated with hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), but little is known about this condition outside the HCT setting. This systematic review examines the burden of illness and current management approaches in non-HCT SOS/VOD.

Methods: We searched Embase, Medline, and grey literature sources for non-HCT SOS/VOD studies published 2002-2023.

Excisional surgery versus ablative surgery for ovarian endometrioma.

Background: Endometrioma are endometriotic deposits within the ovary. Laparoscopic management of endometriomas is associated with shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and decreased hospital costs compared with laparotomy. The previous version of this systematic review (2008), including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of surgical interventions for endometrioma, concluded that laparoscopic cystectomy (excision) was preferable to drainage and ablation of endometrioma.