Optimization of multi-residue method for targeted screening and quantitation of 243 pesticide residues in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis.

Higher matrix interference makes the multi-residue pesticide analysis in spices more challenging. A simple, sensitive, and robust large-scale multi-residue method was developed for the rapid analysis of 243 pesticides in cardamom matrix by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Prehydration of cardamom in 1:4 sample:water for 30 min improved the homogeneity and extractability.

Tumour diameter is not reliable for management of non-secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Small non-functioning pancreatic NETs (pNETs) ≤2 cm can pose a management dilemma in terms of surveillance or resection. There is evidence to suggest that a surveillance approach can be considered since there are no significant radiological changes observed in lesions during long-term follow-up. However, other studies have suggested loco-regional spread can be present in ≤2 cm pNETs.

Minimally Invasive versus Open Distal Pancreatectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma (DIPLOMA): A Pan-European Propensity Score Matched Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare oncological outcomes after minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Background: Cohort studies have suggested superior short-term outcomes of MIDP vs. ODP.

The Southampton Consensus Guidelines for Laparoscopic Liver Surgery: From Indication to Implementation.

Objective: The European Guidelines Meeting on Laparoscopic Liver Surgery was held in Southampton on February 10 and 11, 2017 with the aim of presenting and validating clinical practice guidelines for laparoscopic liver surgery.

Background: The exponential growth of laparoscopic liver surgery in recent years mandates the development of clinical practice guidelines to direct the speciality's continued safe progression and dissemination.

Methods: A unique approach to the development of clinical guidelines was adopted.

Understanding the adhesion mechanism of a mucin binding domain from Lactobacillus fermentum and its role in enteropathogen exclusion.

Lactobacillus species possesses surface exposed Mucin Binding Protein (MucBP) which plays a role in adhesion to gastrointestinal mucin. MucBP contains one or more mucin binding domain (MBD), the functionality of which has yet not been characterized thoroughly. Here, we have characterized a 93-amino acid MBD (MBD) of MucBP (LAF_0673) from Lactobacillus fermentum.

Shared Medical Appointments May Be Effective for Improving Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex chronic disease affecting over 400 million people worldwide. Managing T2DM and its associated complications in individual patient consultations poses substantial challenges to physicians due to limited time and resources and lack of access to multidisciplinary teams. Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are consecutive medical consultations provided by a physician in a group setting, where integrated medical care and patient education are delivered in a single session.

The Effect of Recipient Body Mass Index and Its Extremes on Survival and Graft Vascular and Biliary Complications After Liver Transplantation: A Single Center Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND This is the largest UK-based study on the effect of recipient body mass index (BMI) and its extremes (BMI <18.5 and BMI ≥35 kg/m²) on liver transplant (LT) outcomes. Its purpose was to analyze the BMI effect on post-LT mortality, graft loss, primary non-function (PNF), and graft vascular and biliary complications.

Traumatic occipito-cervical dissociation in adults: a Middle Eastern cohort study.

The objective of this study is to describe a series of cranio-cervical dissociation victims and evaluate their outcomes as well as discuss the clinical dilemmas we faced in the context of current literature evidence. This is a retrospective cohort study of traumatic occipito-cervical dissociation in five patients (three males and two females) encountered between 2010 and 2016 at a tertiary care facility in the Middle East region. All patients underwent occipito-cervical fusion using screws and rods system with mean postoperative follow-up period of 2.

The Relationship Between Remoteness and Outcomes in Critically Ill Children.

Objective: A significant number of children live in remote geographic areas without direct access to tertiary care PICU. Our objective was to explore the relationship between remoteness and outcomes of critically ill children in Canada.

Design: Retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the PICU from February 1, 2015, to January 31, 2016.

Does supplementation with carnosine improve cardiometabolic health and cognitive function in patients with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes? study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Carnosine, an over-the-counter food supplement, has a promising potential for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases through its anti-inflammatory, antiglycation, antioxidative and chelating effects. We have previously shown that supplementation with carnosine preserves insulin sensitivity and secretion in non-diabetic overweight and obese individuals. The effect of carnosine on cardiometabolic risk and related cognitive outcomes in patients with pre-diabetes and T2DM has thus far not been studied.

Comparison of Consent Models in a Randomized Trial of Corticosteroids in Pediatric Septic Shock.

Objectives: To describe the use of deferred and prior informed consent models in the context of a low additional risk to standard of care, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of corticosteroids in pediatric septic shock.

Design: An observational substudy of consent processes in a randomized controlled trial of hydrocortisone versus placebo.

Setting: Seven tertiary level PICUs in Canada.

A Prospective Study of the Association Between Clinically Significant Bleeding in PICU Patients and Thrombocytopenia or Prolonged Coagulation Times.

Objective: There are no proven methods to predict the risk of clinically significant bleeding in the PICU. A retrospective study identified platelet count as a risk marker for clinically significant bleeding. We conducted a study to examine any association of platelet count, international normalized ratio, and activated partial thromboplastin time with bleeding risk in PICU patients.

Developing a donation after cardiac death risk index for adult and pediatric liver transplantation.

Aim: To identify objective predictive factors for donor after cardiac death (DCD) graft loss and using those factors, develop a donor recipient stratification risk predictive model that could be used to calculate a DCD risk index (DCD-RI) to help in prospective decision making on organ use.

Methods: The model included objective data from a single institute DCD database (2005-2013, = 261). Univariate survival analysis was followed by adjusted Cox-regressional hazard model.

Corticosteroids in sepsis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis (protocol).

Introduction: Sepsis is associated with a dysregulated host response to infection and impaired endogenous corticosteroid metabolism. As such, therapeutic use of exogenous corticosteroids is a promising adjunctive intervention. Despite a large number of trials examining this research question, uncertainty persists regarding the effect of corticosteroids on survival in sepsis.

Breast cancer liver metastases in a UK tertiary centre: Outcomes following referral to tumour board meeting.

Introduction: To assess the outcomes from multidisciplinary board meetings (MDM) for patients with breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) and identify prognostic factors for survival.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of MDM records for patients referred with BCLM to a tertiary centre between 2005 and 2016. Patient demographics, clinicopathological factors and intervention type were analysed to find predictive factors for overall survival.

LHCGR Expression During Follicle Stimulating Hormone-Induced Follicle Growth Is Negatively Regulated by Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 5A.

We have shown that the transient changes in the expression of luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) messenger RNA (mRNA) during the ovarian cycle occurs, at least in part, through a posttranscriptional mechanism involving an LHCGR mRNA-binding protein (LRBP). Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), an LRBP-interacting protein, participates in this process. eIF5A undergoes hypusination, a unique posttranslational modification that is necessary for its functions.

Crescent fractures of the pelvis treated by open reduction and internal fixation: a critique of Day's guidelines.

Introduction: Day's classification and treatment guidelines are considered the gold standard in crescent fractures of the pelvis. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate 10 surgically treated crescent fractures of the pelvis in the context of Day's recommendations.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms (CIPN): a preliminary case-control study.

[Purpose] The aim of this double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study is to investigate the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for reducing the side effects of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with oxaloplatin or paclitaxel. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four patients were randomly allocated into two groups: active or placebo stimulation. All patients were assessed for pain, numbness/tingiling, frequency of symptoms, and quality of life.

An International Survey of Corticosteroid Use for the Management of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome.

Objective: Limited evidence exists on use of corticosteroids in low cardiac output syndrome following cardiac surgery. We sought to determine physicians' practices and beliefs with regard to corticosteroids therapy for low cardiac output syndrome.

Design: Multinational internet-based survey.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Corticosteroids in Pediatric Septic Shock: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial of corticosteroids in pediatric septic shock.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

Setting: Seven tertiary level PICUs in Canada.

High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials in Pediatric Critical Care: A Survey of Barriers and Facilitators.

Objectives: High-quality, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials are needed to inform the care of critically ill children. Unfortunately, such evidence is not always available. Our objective was to identify barriers and facilitators of conducting high-quality randomized controlled trials in pediatric critical care, from the perspective of trialists in this field.

A pilot validation study of crowdsourcing systematic reviews: update of a searchable database of pediatric clinical trials of high-dose vitamin D.

Background: Completing large systematic reviews and maintaining them up to date poses significant challenges. This is mainly due to the toll required of a small group of experts to screen and extract potentially eligible citations. Automated approaches have failed so far in providing an accessible and adaptable tool to the research community.