A decade of real-world clinical experience with 8-week azithromycin-metronidazole combined therapy in paediatric Crohn's disease.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness and side-effect profile of a combination of azithromycin and metronidazole (CD AZCRO) as alternative induction therapy for 8 weeks in mild to moderately active paediatric Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study (November 2012 to July 2023) of a regional paediatric inflammatory bowel disease service. Disease activity, faecal calprotectin (FC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haematological parameters and albumin were collected at baseline, 8 and 16 weeks.

Spontaneous excretion of a pseudomembranous intestinal cast in an infant with an acute diarrhoeal illness: A case report and literature review.

We present a case of an 8-week-old infant with acute bloody diarrhoea and subsequent passage of an intestinal cast. An extensive immune and infection work-up did not reveal a causative aetiology. Histopathology indicated the cast represented an intestinal pseudomembrane.

Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap with Implant Placement has a Favorable Complication Profile Compared with Implant-Only or Flap-Only Reconstruction.

Background:  Hybrid deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and simultaneous silicone implant breast reconstruction procedures ("DIEP + I") have many conceptual advantages compared with either reconstruction method alone, but the outcomes of DIEP + I reconstruction have not yet been well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of DIEP + I with implant-only and DIEP-only reconstruction.

Methods:  A retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing DIEP + I, implant-only, and DIEP-only breast reconstruction from 2019 to 2023 at a single institution.

Scrolling for Answers About Breast Implant Illness: Application of Validated Tools to Assess the Quality of Content on YouTube and TikTok.

Popular video-sharing platforms YouTube and TikTok offer a plethora of information on the topic of breast implant illness (BII). As a largely patient-driven phenomenon, it is important to understand the influence of social media on patient knowledge regarding BII. This study sought to evaluate the quality, reliability, visibility, and popularity of YouTube and TikTok videos about BII.

The Use of Recreational Cannabis Among Breast Reduction Patients: Characteristics, Complications, and Immediate Postoperative Analgesic Needs.

The characteristics, complications, and postoperative analgesic needs of patients with a recent or active history of recreational cannabis use have not been explored explicitly in plastic surgery. In this study, the characteristics, complications, and postoperative analgesic needs within a population of breast reduction patients who use and do not use recreational cannabis were compared. A retrospective cohort study was carried out on patients who underwent breast reduction between 2019 and 2023.

The Impact of Depression and Anxiety Comorbidities on Acute Postoperative Pain After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Depression and anxiety have a complex association with opioid dependence, though their impact on acute postoperative pain is unclear. The present study investigated the impact of depression and anxiety on acute postoperative pain and opioid requirements following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: Patients receiving DIEP flap breast reconstruction were retrospectively identified from 2019 to 2023.

Characterisation of autophagy induction by the thiopurine drugs azathioprine, mercaptopurine and thioguanine in THP-1 macrophages.

Activating autophagy may be therapeutically beneficial, and we have previously shown that azathioprine (AZA), an immunomodulatory drug, induces autophagy. Here, we evaluated the induction of autophagy by the thiopurines AZA, mercaptopurine (6-MP) and thioguanine (6-TG) in THP-1 macrophages and investigated the mechanism of action in the context of this cellular process. The cytotoxicity of thiopurines was evaluated using an LDH assay.

Can ChatGPT Be Used as a Research Assistant and a Patient Consultant in Plastic Surgery? A Review of 3 Key Information Domains.

Background: Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT), a newly developed pretrained artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, is able to interpret and respond to user-generated questions. As such, many questions have been raised about its potential uses and limitations. While preliminary literature suggests that ChatGPT can be used in medicine as a research assistant and patient consultant, its reliability in providing original and accurate information is still unknown.

Understanding the role of intraoperative hypothermia in perioperative opioid requirements in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: The relationship between perioperative temperatures and postoperative pain is unknown. The present study investigated the relationship of intraoperative hypothermia and perioperative opioid requirements after immediate implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients undergoing immediate implant-based breast reconstruction from 2019-2023.

Does timing of tocilizumab administration affect mortality in COVID-19? A Scottish multicentre retrospective cohort study.

Background: The optimal timing of tocilizumab treatment during the disease course of COVID-19 has yet to be adequately defined in the context of randomised controlled trials and the effect of tocilizumab on real-world populations remains unclear. We examined the effect of different timing of tocilizumab, on mortality, in a cohort of adults with COVID-19.

Methods: All adults (≥18 years old) with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to four hospitals in the West of Scotland between 8 January 2021 and 31 March 2021 and who received tocilizumab were included in a retrospective observational cohort study.

The psychological impacts of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction: a systematic review.

Background: While it is often presumed that undergoing breast reconstruction (BR) after mastectomy has positive psychosocial effects, a comprehensive review of current knowledge on the topic is to date absent. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the available literature on the effects of BR on postoperative psychological distress.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, PSYCinfo, and Web of Science.

Neighborhood Deprivation is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications After Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Purpose: The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) ranks neighborhoods by deprivation based on US Census data. This study utilizes ADI scores to investigate the impact of neighborhood deprivation on complication rates following breast reconstruction.

Patients And Methods: Patients who received implant-based reconstruction from 2019 to 2023 were identified at a single institution in New York.

Infantile and Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives: This study described disease characteristics and long-term outcomes in patients diagnosed with very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEOIBD) (diagnosed before 6 years of age) and infantile-IBD (before 2 years).

Methods: Cases from 21 centers worldwide diagnosed with VEOIBD (2008-2018), with minimum 2 years of follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: The cohort included 243 patients (52% males, median follow-up of 5.

Underrepresented in Medicine Applicants are Less Likely to Successfully Match into Plastic Surgery.

Importance: The lack of underrepresented in medicine physicians in academic plastic surgery has been a topic of interest for many years, and accordingly outreach has been undertaken to address the pipeline from medical school to residency and beyond.

Objective: This study aims to assess and identify the characteristics associated with plastic surgery match success for underrepresented in medicine applicants.

Design: Residency application data for first time, US allopathic medical school seniors from the 2017-2018 to 2021-2022 applicant cycles were abstracted from Electronic Residency Application Service applications, and match results were determined using the National Residency Matching Program database and online public sources.

Positron Emission Tomography with [F]ROStrace Reveals Progressive Elevations in Oxidative Stress in a Mouse Model of Alpha-Synucleinopathy.

The synucleinopathies are a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein (aSyn) in vulnerable populations of brain cells. Oxidative stress is both a cause and a consequence of aSyn aggregation in the synucleinopathies; however, noninvasive methods for detecting oxidative stress in living animals have proven elusive. In this study, we used the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer [F]ROStrace to detect increases in oxidative stress in the widely-used A53T mouse model of synucleinopathy.

Could an integrated model of health and social care after critical illness reduce socioeconomic disparities in outcomes? A Bayesian analysis.

Background: There is limited evidence to understand what impact, if any, recovery services might have for patients across the socioeconomic spectrum after critical illness. We analysed data from a multicentre critical care recovery programme to understand the impact of this programme across the socioeconomic spectrum.

Methods: The setting for this pre-planned secondary analysis was a critical care rehabilitation programme-Intensive Care Syndrome: Promoting Independence and Return to Employment.

Outcomes After Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Following the National Institution of a Ban on Bacitracin Irrigation.

Background: The use of irrigation with bacitracin-containing solution is common among surgeons, as it was widely thought to have antibacterial properties and prevent postoperative infection. Current literature, however, suggests that antibiotic-containing irrigation confers little added benefit. On January 31, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration instituted a ban on bacitracin-containing irrigation for operative use.

Scalding saline injuries: Preventing a rare but serious event in medical litigation.

This study aimed to investigate the causes, outcomes, and compensation amounts of saline-induced perioperative burns, a rare but entirely preventable event. Saline-induced burns pose a significant risk to patients, and understanding the factors associated with such incidents is crucial for improving patient safety. Previous studies highlighted the use of hot saline bags and solution during medical procedures as a potential cause of these burns.

Paper Tape May Improve Scar Aesthetics and Prevent Wound Closure Complications.

There is uncertainty whether postoperative application of paper tape (PT) improves scar aesthetics and reduces wound closure complications. This study aimed to review and assess the quality of applicable findings from studies investigating PT's efficacy. We queried PubMed and SCOPUS using the search terms "(("paper tape") AND (wound OR closure OR heal* OR complication OR skin OR prevent* OR scar*)).

The Impact of Biologic Therapies on Rate of Colectomy in Paediatric-onset Ulcerative Colitis - A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Aim: Biologic therapies have been associated with reduced rate of colectomy in ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults, but data are limited in paediatric-onset UC. Our aim was to define the rate of colectomy in paediatric-onset UC, including post-transition into adult care, and to evaluate the impact of biologic therapies on rate of colectomy.

Method: All prevalent patients diagnosed with paediatric-onset UC in South-East Scotland were identified from a prospectively accrued database at our regional tertiary centre.

The adherence to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma and its impact on survival.

Introduction: In two Korean and Italian studies, the adherence rate (AR) to ASSLD 2005 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 60%. In a US study, the AR to American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) 2005 guidelines was 73.3%, 26.