Earthworms in natural grasslands and agropastoral systems in the Brazilian Pampa.

In this study, we sampled grazed natural grassland and agropastoral systems in two regions (Alegrete and Aceguá) in the highly diverse Brazilian Pampa region which is undergoing significant change in land use cover. By hand sorting the soil, a total of five species were found, belonging to the families Glossoscolecidae (Glossoscolex sp.50 and Glossoscolex sp.

Safe surgical training: evaluation of a national functional endoscopic sinus surgery model simulation course using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.

Background: Simulation is a rapidly developing field in modern undergraduate skills education and postgraduate surgical training.

Aim: We aim to evaluate simulation training as a tool for higher surgical training in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in which a qualitative survey and multiple-choice questionnaire were distributed to otolaryngology trainees pre- and post-FESS training course using simulation models.

Gender specific considerations in septorhinoplasty, a retrospective observational study and review of the literature.

Introduction: In our service experience, we found we had a high proportion of male patients undergoing septorhinoplasty. This encouraged us to research gender specific differences in anatomy, surgical techniques, expectations and outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who have had rhinoplasty surgery under a single otolaryngology consultant with a special interest in rhinoplasty.

Epistaxis in the Sars-CoV-2 Era.

Introduction Epistaxis was the third most common unscheduled ENT surgical intervention in Ireland in 2019. Otorhinolaryngologists are exposed to a high viral reservoir of Sars-CoV-2, as they are dealing with pathology in the upper respiratory tract. Risk analysis is required to minimise nosocomial transmission.

Erosive rodent ulcer of the ear secondary to neglect.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are slow-growing, locally invasive lesions that rarely metastasise, however, if left untreated can progress to extensive destruction of local structures giving rise to the alternative name 'the rodent ulcer'. Here we present a case of BCC of the ear progressing to destruction of the pinna and mastoid, involving the facial nerve and breaching dura. This case presentation shows not only the seldom-seen natural progression of the rodent ulcer with impressive imaging and clinical photographs but also highlights a broader topic of capacity and consent in patients displaying maladaptive denial or abnormal illness behaviour, how this can affect patient outcomes and what we as clinicians can do to ensure the best care for our patients.

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in management of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland: a systematic review.

Purpose: Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma poses a significant treatment challenge, considering its propensity for further recurrence and potential for malignant transformation. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in its management is widely debated. The aim of this study was to determine whether adjuvant radiotherapy is more effective than surgical resection alone in patients with recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland, in terms of further recurrence, malignant transformation and treatment-related complications.

A systematic review and meta-analysis: Do absorbable or non-absorbable suture materials differ in cosmetic outcomes in patients requiring primary closure of facial wounds?

Introduction: Surgeons are often judged based on the cosmetic appearance of any scar after surgery rather than the functional outcome of treatment, especially when considering facial wounds.

Objective: We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine whether absorbable or non-absorbable suture materials result in different cosmetic outcomes for patients requiring primary closure of facial wounds.

Methods: An extensive systematic review was carried out to identify studies meeting our inclusion criteria.

Prognostic markers in well differentiated papillary and follicular thyroid cancer (WDTC).

Objectives: WDTC (papillary and follicular thyroid cancer) make up around 90% of all thyroid tumours. Overall, the prognosis in patients with WDTC is excellent. However, there are small cohorts of patients who experience a more aggressive form of disease which is often associated with certain poor prognostic factors.

Assessing the efficacy of different microfibre cloths at removing surface micro-organisms associated with healthcare-associated infections.

This study investigated the ability of 10 different microfibre cloths to remove microbial contamination from three surfaces commonly found in hospital settings (stainless steel, furniture laminate and ceramic tile), under controlled laboratory conditions. Tests were conducted using organisms known to cause healthcare-associated infections, i.e.

Emotion regulation, affect, psychosocial functioning, and well-being in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Emotion regulation refers to the psychological strategies people use to cope with such stressors as hemodialysis therapy. These strategies are associated with a range of physical and psychological variation that may be related to kidney disease and its management. This study explores the associations of 2 emotion regulation strategies, reappraisal and suppression, and considers their impact on patient well-being and kidney disease management.

Phage typing of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli and its use as an adjunct to serotyping.

Campylobacter is the most commonly reported cause of gastro-intestinal infection in England and Wales, with over 50,000 reported cases in 1997. The majority of human campylobacter isolates in England and Wales are C. jejuni (c.

Heat-stable serotyping antigens expressed by strains of Campylobacter jejuni are probably capsular and not long-chain lipopolysaccharide.

The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the serotyping of Campylobacter jejuni based on heat-stable antigens was examined using SDS-PAGE and a silver stain for carbohydrate. None of the 32 type strains of Camp. jejuni expressed long-chain LPS.

A coupled pacemaker-slave model for the insect photoperiodic clock: interpretation of ovarian diapause data in Drosophila melanogaster.

A coupled circadian oscillator model for the insect photoperiodic clock is described which consists of a hierarchically arranged pacemaker and slave. The pacemaker is self-sustained, temperature compensated, and entrainable by the light cycle; the slave is a damping oscillation receiving entrainment from two sources, from the pacemaker via a coupling factor, and also directly from the light. The damping slave oscillation is seen as the "photoperiodic oscillator", equivalent to that proposed earlier by Lewis and Saunders (1987).

Survival of breast cancer patients in relation to factors which affect the risk of developing breast cancer.

In order to evaluate the prognostic significance of risk factors for developing breast cancer, a population-based study was conducted of 2,445 breast cancer patients diagnosed in Denmark, 1983-1984. Data on clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer were derived from the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group and data on risk factors from a self-administered questionnaire. Among 1,744 patients (71%) with complete information, survival was determined primarily by size of the tumour, skin invasion, number of positive lymph nodes and grade.