Clinical practice guideline: evidence, recommendations and algorithm for the preoperative optimization of anemia, hyperglycemia and smoking.

Preoperative optimization has not been explored comprehensively in the surgical literature, as this responsibility has often been divided among surgery, anesthesia and medicine. We developed an evidence-based clinical practice guideline to summarize existing evidence and present diagnostic and treatment algorithms for use by surgeons caring for patients scheduled to undergo major elective surgery. We focus on 3 common comorbid conditions seen across surgical specialties - anemia, hyperglycemia and smoking - as these conditions increase complication rates in patients undergoing major surgery and can be optimized successfully as soon as 6-8 weeks before surgery.

The Affordability of a Thrifty Food Plan-based Market Basket in the United States-affiliated Pacific Region.

In an effort to characterize food costs in the United States (US)-affiliated Pacific Region, a first-time food cost survey was conducted in March 2014. A market basket survey was developed using an adaptation of the US Department of Agriculture Thrifty Food Plan. Surveys were conducted in the states of Alaska and Hawai'i; Portland, Oregon; the US-affiliated Pacific Islands of American Samoa (American Samoa); Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the island of Pohnpei within the Federated States of Micronesia; Guam; Republic of the Marshall Islands; and Republic of Palau.

Impact of group practices on patients, physicians and healthcare systems: protocol for a scoping review.

Introduction: Group practices have potential benefits for patients, physicians and healthcare systems. Although group practices have been around for many years, research in this area is lacking and generally is centred around the economic benefits that may be realised from group practice. The aim of this scoping review is to identify the impact that group practices have on patients, physicians and healthcare systems to guide further research in this area.

Clinical practice guideline: management of acute pancreatitis.

There has been an increase in the incidence of acute pancreatitis reported worldwide. Despite improvements in access to care, imaging and interventional techniques, acute pancreatitis continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis, recent studies auditing the clinical management of the condition have shown important areas of noncompliance with evidence-based recommendations.

The estrogen receptor pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma: a role for estrogen receptor-beta in proliferation and response to the antiestrogen 4'OH-tamoxifen.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Highly malignant, RMS frequently fails to respond to conventional aggressive multimodal radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy treatment protocols that also cause significant sequelae in the growing child. Other tumors of mesenchymal origin, such as locally aggressive fibromatoses and desmoid tumors, have been successfully treated with a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, tamoxifen.