Multiple open and endoscopic techniques have been described for recalcitrant cases of plantar fasciitis. Compared with open techniques, endoscopic plantar fasciotomy has been shown to be safe and effective with decreased postoperative pain and quicker recovery, as well as decreased risk of soft tissue and neurovascular injury, while retaining the ability to provide direct visualization of the plantar fascia to facilitate proper release. Single-portal endoscopic techniques may offer additional advantages including less portal site and postoperative pain, earlier return to activities, and cost-effectiveness and higher patient satisfaction when performed in the office setting.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction The integration of pharmacists into general practice settings is increasingly common internationally. Within Aotearoa New Zealand, the role has evolved variably in different regions. Recent health policy and professional guidance support further development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Migraine is a complex neurological condition which requires evidence based treatment, tailored to the individual. International evidence shows that treatment is often sub-optimal, but the experience of people with migraine in NZ is unknown. Aim This study aimed to describe the barriers people with migraine disease face when seeking care for their condition in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethylmercury (MeHg) is a widespread contaminant that bioaccumulates in marine food webs, including those in the Mediterranean sea. It poses serious health risks, especially to developing infants and children, where exposure can cause neurological damage and developmental delays. In addition to health concerns, high MeHg levels in seafood can lead to economic losses through cognitive impairments that reduce productivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Investigating factors associated with drug initiation and discontinuation in patients treated with anti-IL-6 biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) (tocilizumab or sarilumab) non-anti-IL-6 (anti-TNF, B or T cell therapies) bDMARDs for RA.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with the diagnosis of RA in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank, comprising primary and secondary care and specialist rheumatology clinic records for >90% of the population in Wales, UK. Patients initiated on first bDMARD treatment, discontinuation and clinical outcomes including infection and hospitalisation were analysed using Cox regression analysis.
Background: Recognition is growing of the contributions community pharmacists make to the primary health care team, as their role shifts from a traditional dispensing focus to greater emphasis on fully applying their clinical skills. Some extended pharmacist services (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains one of the deadliest hematopoietic malignancies. A better understanding of the molecular biology governing AML may lead to improved risk stratification and facilitate the development of novel therapies. Proteins are responsible for much of the biology of cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful and cost-effective interventions for improving quality of life. Dislocation is a well-recognised complication with a significant health and economic burden. The aim of this study was to establish the current management practices for patients presenting with a prosthetic hip dislocation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the quality of the reparative cartilage during second-look needle arthroscopy following talar osteoperiostic grafting from the iliac crest (TOPIC) or autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) procedure for the management of large osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the talus.
Design: Prospective case series.
Methods: Patients who underwent second-look needle arthroscopy following either TOPIC or AOT procedure were prospectively recruited when they needed a second look.
Purpose: Timely access to clinical genetics consultations remains a barrier to timely genomic medicine services, which new service delivery models might help address.
Methods: We implemented a genetics electronic consultation (eConsult) service staffed by a primary care physician (PCP) champion, supervised by genetics specialists. Chart reviews from July 2018 to January 2022 examined categories of questions received, e-consultant's recommendations, and outcomes of any conventional genetics referrals.
Falsifiable research is a basic goal of science and is needed for science to be self-correcting. However, the methods for conducting falsifiable research are not widely known among psychological researchers. Describing the effect sizes that can be confidently investigated in confirmatory research is as important as describing the subject population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTen percent of children with cancer harbour a mutation in a predisposition gene. In children with the kidney cancer, Wilms tumour, the prevalence is as high as 30%. Certain predispositions are associated with defined histological and clinical features, suggesting differences in tumourigenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Over the last decade, treatment options for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) have expanded. However, comparative studies between these agents are limited, especially among biologic-naïve patients. We aimed to compare the persistence, effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib and vedolizumab as the first advanced treatment for patients with UC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite the availability of safe and effective surgical treatments for chronic SI joint pain, many clinicians find the diagnosis of SI joint pain challenging. Misdiagnosis can lead to misdirected surgery, which has important consequences. The study's goal was to determine whether a combination of clinical examination, joint block, and selected radiographic imaging can distinguish patients with SI joint pain from those with other causes of chronic low back pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Impairment in aspects of communication is a core diagnostic feature of schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders. These communication difficulties inhibit participation in a range of daily activities and affect relationships and quality of life. There has been little research focussed on communication outcomes in relation to cognitive remediation therapy within this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The purpose of this study was to determine the M1/M2 macrophage ratio in concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) in patients undergoing surgical intervention augmented with cBMA for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs).
Design: Samples of peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow aspirate (BMA), and cBMA were collected during the procedure. The samples were analyzed by automated cell counting and multicolor fluorescence-activated cell sorting with specific antibodies recognizing monocytes (CD14+ CD16+) and the M1 (CD86+) and M2 (CD163+CD206+) populations within that monocyte population.
Background: Pathologic tissue remodeling with scarring and tissue rigidity has been demonstrated in inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic disease that is diagnosed and managed by repeated biopsy procurement, allowing an understanding of tissue fibroblast dysfunction. While EoE associated tissue remodeling causes clinical dysphagia, food impactions and esophageal rigidity and strictures, molecular mechanisms driving these complications remain under investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHip fractures pose a major global health challenge, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly. With an ageing population, the incidence of these injuries is rising, exerting significant pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. Despite substantial research aimed at establishing best practice, several key areas remain the subject of ongoing debate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The needs of the population and changes to the configuration of the NHS affect the role of the Trauma & Orthopaedic (T&O) surgeon. This impacts training and the number of consultant posts available at Certificate of Completion of Training. Aim of this study was to review advertised T&O Consultant posts and determine the trends in frequency and sub-specialisation requirements between 2011 and 2020 to assess the perceived reduction in advertised posts and increasing subspecialisation, also looking at the impact to the NHS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine if the weight of a child determines adverse events following oral antibiotics prescription.
Design: Population respective cohort using linked general practice (GP), hospital data and linkage with the Welsh Demographic Service for demographic information. Data linkage was performed using Wales health data, extracted from the SAIL (Secure Anonymised Information Linkage) databank.
Introduction: The Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics in Orthopaedics (MIBO) guidelines were developed in 2017 in order to establish a standardized approach for reporting key characteristics in platelet rich plasma (PRP)-based studies. However, the adherence to the guidelines from authors publishing data on studies related to the use of PPR in the management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) has not yet been determined. The purpose of this study was to analyze how well clinical trials on PRP interventions for OLTs adhered to the MIBO guidelines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Quitting cigarette smoking can substantially reduce or eliminate the risk of developing numerous chronic diseases. Use of flavored tobacco or nicotine products is commonly cited by adults who smoke cigarettes to be important in helping them reduce or quit smoking. The purpose of this analysis was to understand the association between the levels of use of flavored oral nicotine products and smoking reduction and quitting and how reduction or quitting may differ between predominant users of fruit/other versus mint flavored oral nicotine products after six months of use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLate-life depression (LLD) is often accompanied by medical comorbidities such as psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases, posing challenges to antidepressant treatment. Recent studies highlighted significant associations between treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and polygenic risk score (PRS) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as a negative association between antidepressant symptom improvement with both schizophrenia and bipolar. Here, we sought to validate these findings with symptom remission in LLD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOff-host periods are critical for ticks, representing a period when environmental stress, particularly dehydration, can impact tick survival. To prevent dehydration, ticks must be able to detect and move into high humidity areas to allow for water vapor uptake. Ionotropic receptor 93a (Ir93a), which is highly expressed in the front forelegs (location of Haller s organ), increases expression following dehydration, suggesting a role in humidity detection.
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