The Role of Lp-PLA2 as a Mediator Between Serum Magnesium and Zinc Levels and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of conditions that includes abdominal obesity, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, high triglycerides, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Of the biomarkers above, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been highlighted as a critical link between inflammation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which strongly predicts cardiovascular events. Micronutrients like magnesium and zinc are essential in maintaining metabolic and cardiovascular health, but these micronutrient deficiencies occur frequently among individuals with MetS.

Audit of the Southern DHB B4 School hearing screening referral process: is there unmet need?

Aim: The B4 School Check aims for early detection and appropriate management of hearing loss prior to school entry. In light of increasing awareness of inequitable health outcomes across a variety of measures in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly for Māori and Pasifika, we performed an audit of B4 School screening hearing related referrals.

Method: For the census year 2018, we examined the hearing screening data for age, gender, ethnicity, region and locality.

Measurement of osteotomy force during endoscopic sinus surgery.

Greater understanding of the surgeon's task and skills are required to improve surgical technique and the effectiveness of training. Currently, neither the objective measurement of osteotomy forces during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) nor the validity of the properties of cadaver materials, are well documented. Measurement was performed of peak axial osteotomy force during ESS.

First branchial arch abnormality: diagnostic dilemma and excision with facial nerve preservation.

Objective: To report a case of first branchial arch abnormality and the problems associated with misdiagnosis. A succinct literature review is included.

Setting: Teaching hospital in Scotland.

Is familial adenomatous polyposis associated with sensorineural hearing loss?

Abstract The mutation causing familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) affects the adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene, which has a role in the cytoskeleton and has been shown to be important in the structure of supporting cells in the cochlea. One previous study suggested that FAP sufferers may have sensorineural hearing loss. In order to demonstrate whether this is the case we invited patients known to suffer from familial adenomatous polyposis to take part in our study.

Surgical instrument force exerted during endoscopic sinus surgery: differences within the ethmoid sinus complex.

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been the most important technical advance in surgical rhinology in the last 25 years. The technique is now used beyond its initial sinus confines but knowledge of the forces required to perform ESS is limited. Greater understanding of these forces will lead to improved surgical training and safety.

The effect of hand dominance on recurrent idiopathic paediatric epistaxis.

Objectives: No published data exists to support the belief that nose picking contributes to recurrent idiopathic paediatric epistaxis. If nose picking is implicated then there may be a higher incidence of epistaxis on the side of the dominant hand. The objective of the study was to determine whether nose picking has a significant role in paediatric epistaxis by comparing hand dominance and side of epistaxis.

Identification and categorization of technical errors by Observational Clinical Human Reliability Assessment (OCHRA) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Hypothesis: Surgical operative performance benefits from analysis of the mechanisms underlying technical errors committed during surgery.

Design: Prospective study using the Observational Clinical Human Reliability Assessment (OCHRA) system and complete unedited videotapes of the operations.

Setting: Three National Health Service hospitals within the United Kingdom.

Ergonomic evaluation of laparoscopic bowel suturing.

Background: Ergonomic assessment of the instrument to needle to tissue relationship on efficiency and accuracy of laparoscopic suturing.

Methods: Video records of nine laparoscopic surgeons were analyzed for five technical variables of laparoscopic suturing. Surgeons undertook closure of 60 mm enterotomy using continuous 3/0 seromuscular atraumatic sutures.

Errors enacted during endoscopic surgery--a human reliability analysis.

The aim of the study was to document the nature and incidence of surgical errors enacted during laparoscopic surgery in order to direct future research and surgical training. A modified Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) approach, based on direct observation, was adopted to categorise and record errors encountered during the practice of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study confirmed the applicability and usefulness of an observational methodology in the assessment of human error in endoscopic surgical performance.

Serum protein binding of antiepileptic drugs in Sri Lankans.

The percentage protein binding of antiepileptic drugs was investigated in epileptic patients (n = 90) undergoing treatment with phenobarbitone, phenytoin and carbamazepine either as a single drug therapy or in different combinations. When administered individually, the percentage (mean +/- SEM) protein binding of phenobarbitone, phenytoin and carbamazepine were 50.84 +/- 7.

Relationship between dose and serum concentrations of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and primidone in a Sri Lankan population compared with a European population.

Concentrations of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and primidone have been measured by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in serums of 177 Sri Lankan epileptic patients. Relationships between concentrations and dose per kg body weight of these drugs have been compared with those of patients in the Netherlands, using a matching procedure. Although variabilities in dose-concentration ratios were somewhat larger in Sri Lanka than in the Netherlands, no evidence was found of a systematic difference in pharmacokinetics between both populations.