An ecological approach to understanding transitions and tensions in complex learning contexts.

The move away from transmission-based lecturing toward a more student-centred active learning approach is well evidenced in STEM higher education. However, the examination of active learning has generally remained confined to formal timetabled contexts, with assumptions made that students independently manage the transition between timetabled and non-timetabled learning. This paper introduces research findings from a mixed methods study that used an ecological approach when investigating student transitions between a formal lecture theatre and adjacent informal breakout space in a UK STEM university.

Virtual outpatient clinic as an alternative to an actual clinic visit after surgical discharge: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: It is standard practice to review all patients following discharge at a follow-up clinic but demands on all health services outweigh resources and unnecessary review appointments may delay or deny access to patients with greater needs.

Aims: This randomised trial aimed to establish whether a virtual outpatient clinic (VOPC) was an acceptable alternative to an actual outpatient clinic (OPC) attendance for a broad range of general surgical patients following a hospital admission.

Patients And Methods: All patients admitted under one general surgical service over the study period were assessed.

The surgical management of radiation proctopathy.

Background: There is sparse evidence guiding the optimum surgical management of patients with radiation proctopathy (RP). The purpose of this review is to analyse all the literature on the surgical management of RP in order to guide physicians and surgeons as to when and what surgery should be employed for these patients.

Methods: A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Ovid, and Cochrane Library using the MeSH terms "radiation proctopathy", "proctitis", "surgical management", and related terms as keywords was performed.

Prevalence and outcomes of cystic lesion of the pancreas in immunosuppressed patients with solid organ transplantation.

Background: Solid organ transplant recipients have an increased risk of cancer due to immunosuppressive therapy. Pancreatic cystic lesions are increasingly being detected, some with malignant potential. We aimed to determine the prevalence of these lesions and describe their clinical course in these patients.

US-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of anterior mediastinal masses in children.

Background: Anterior mediastinal masses in children are clinically challenging, requiring prompt histological diagnosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the experience with US-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) of anterior mediastinal masses in children, particularly with respect to safety and diagnostic accuracy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical presentation, imaging, sedation approach, procedural details and pathology results of US-guided PCNB of mediastinal masses that occurred during an 8-year period (2001-2008).