Post-ERCP clearance of bile duct stones: should the gallbladder be left in-situ?

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the gold standard management for patients who present with common bile duct stone (CBDS). Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally recommended for patients who have CBDS clearance, there is still a significant proportion of patients who are managed expectantly. Our study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of expectant management (EM) versus prophylactic cholecystectomy after initial endoscopic removal of CBDS.

Can genomic signatures guide the selection of host-specific agents for weed biological control?

Biological control of weeds involves deliberate introduction of host-specific natural enemies into invaded range to reduce the negative impacts of invasive species. Assessing the specificity is a crucial step, as introduction of generalist natural enemies into a new territory may pose risks to the recipient communities. A mechanistic understanding of host use can provide valuable insights for the selection of specialist natural enemies, bolster confidence in non-target risk assessment and potentially accelerate the host specificity testing process in biological control.

A Dynamic Traffic Light Control Algorithm to Mitigate Traffic Congestion in Metropolitan Areas.

This paper proposes a convolutional neural network (CNN) model of the signal distribution control algorithm (SDCA) to maximize the dynamic vehicular traffic signal flow for each junction phase. The aim of the proposed algorithm is to determine the reward value and new state. It deconstructs the routing components of the current multi-directional queuing system (MDQS) architecture to identify optimal policies for every traffic scenario.

Phase 1/2 AAV5-hRKp.RPGR (Botaretigene Sparoparvovec) Gene Therapy: Safety and Efficacy in RPGR-Associated X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of AAV5-hRKp.RPGR in participants with retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR)-associated X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

Design: Open-label, phase 1/2 dose escalation/expansion study (ClinicalTrials.

Pseudomelanoma diagnosis in a tertiary ophthalmologic centre in Spain.

Objective: To determine the types and frequency of lesions that can be misdiagnosed as choroidal or ciliary body melanomas (posterior uveal tract melanoma [PUM]).

Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study examining data from patients referred to Hospital La Paz in Madrid with the diagnosis of possible PUM between January 2005 and March 2020. All patients referred for PUM were studied.

Monocrotophos-Induced Intermediate Syndrome Complicated by Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy: A Case Report.

Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is the most common type of poisoning in India. Amongst the OP, monocrotophos poisoning has the highest lethality and need for mechanical ventilation. Monocrotophos is also implicated in causing OP-induced intermediate syndrome, the prevalence of which is 10-40% of all OP poisoning.

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Distribution Around the Bone Mini-Implant Interface Based on the Mini-Implant Angle of Insertion, Diameter, and Length.

Background: Temporary anchorage devices or mini implants have gained great attraction due to their capability to provide absolute anchorage, low cost, versatility, and can be loaded immediately after placement.

Material And Methods: Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the distribution of stress at the bone mini implant interface based on different angles of insertion (30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) mini implant diameter (1.3 mm, 1.

Safety and effectiveness of pre-emptive diabetic vitrectomy in patients with severe, non-fibrotic retinal neovascularisation despite panretinal photocoagulation.

Objectives: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of pre-emptive vitrectomy in eyes with severe non-fibrotic proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: A multi-centre, retrospective, observational study. Pre-emptive vitrectomy was performed in non-fibrotic diabetic eyes with a visual acuity (VA) of 20/50 or better, where there was extensive persistent neovascularisation despite prior panretinal photocoagulation, and where the fellow eye had established sight loss despite vitrectomy for tractional complications.

Surgeons' user experience of telemedicine in surgical consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on general surgical consultations.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual national lockdown in the UK brought a halt to the face-to-face outpatient appointments at most NHS hospitals. Owing to this, clinicians have had to switch to other means of consultation, to maintain continuity of care. This survey was done to see how surgeons perceive telemedicine as part of their surgical consultations.

Diagnostic sensitivity of vitrectomy and vitreous biopsy for vitritis.

Purpose: To investigate sensitivity of diagnostic vitrectomy and vitreous biopsy for patients with vitritis of unknown aetiology.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all vitrectomies and vitreous biopsies, performed at St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK, for vitritis between February 2001 and February 2019. Patients were identified using the VITREOR database and records were reviewed.

Outcomes Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Severe Ocular Trauma.

Purpose: To investigate outcomes and presenting characteristics for subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for ocular trauma.

Methods: Retrospective study of 113 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for severe ocular trauma at [name deleted to maintain the integrity of the review process] between 1999 and 2018. Data were collected on age, gender, initial and final visual acuity (LogMAR), mode of injury, type of injury, number of surgeries performed, follow-up duration, type of tamponade, presence of phthisis, and retinal detachment.

Long-Term Investigation of Retinal Function in Patients with Achromatopsia.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term natural history of retinal function of achromatopsia (ACHM).

Methods: Subjects with molecularly confirmed ACHM were recruited in a prospective cohort study of mesopic microperimetry. Coefficient of repeatability and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of mean sensitivity (MS) were calculated.

Validation of a Vision-Guided Mobility Assessment for -Associated Retinal Dystrophy.

Purpose: To validate a vision-guided mobility assessment for individuals affected by -associated retinal dystrophy (-RD).

Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 29 subjects, comprising 19 subjects with -RD and 10 normally-sighted subjects undertook three assessments of mobility: following a straight line, navigating a simple maze, and stepping over a sidewalk "kerb." Performance was quantified as the time taken to complete each assessment, number of errors made, walking speed, and percent preferred walking speed, for each assessment.

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) associated with acute necrotising pancreatitis (ANP).

Coronavirus is a severe infectious disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has led to increased mortality worldwide. Multiple reports have been published citing that gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with COVID-19 infection. It has also been found that the ACE2 receptor of SARS-CoV-2 is expressed more in the pancreas than the lungs.

"Delamination Plus": A Technique to Reduce Immediate Postoperative Diabetic Cavity Hemorrhage.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of an intraoperative surgical technique to reduce the incidence of immediate postoperative cavity hemorrhage in patients undergoing vitrectomy for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: A single-center, prospective study of 20 consecutive patients who underwent vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy-related complications. A standard 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with either 23 g or 25 g was performed.

Retinal Structure in RPE65-Associated Retinal Dystrophy.

Purpose: RPE65-associated retinal dystrophy (RPE65-RD) is an early onset, progressive, severe retinal dystrophy. We sought to characterize the natural history of retinal degeneration in affected individuals.

Methods: We performed cross-sectional and longitudinal quantitative and qualitative assessments of retinal architecture in RPE65-RD using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging.

Gene technologies in weed management: a technical feasibility analysis.

With the advent of new genetic technologies such as gene silencing and gene drive, efforts to develop additional management tools for weed management is gaining significant momentum. These technologies promise novel ways to develop sustainable weed control options because gene silencing can switch-off genes mediating adaptation (e.g.