Predictors of relapse in eating disorders: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Eating disorders (EDs) have high rates of relapse. However, it is still not clear which factors are the strongest predictors of ED relapse, and the extent to which predictors of relapse may vary due to study and individual differences.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify and compare which factors predict relapse in EDs and evaluate various potential moderators of these relations (e.

Modified Staple Aneurysmorrhaphy for Treating Arteriovenous Fistula-Related Venous Aneurysms.

Autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred access for hemodialysis. AVF occasionally develop venous aneurysms, and we report a modified staple aneurysmorrhaphy technique for treatment. Briefly, the lateral wall of the venous aneurysm is dissected and a longitudinal staple resection performed.

Prospective Analysis of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies Based on Postgraduate Resident Level.

Background: Few studies have attempted to ascertain the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) based on resident postgraduate year. We hypothesize that there is no difference in complications based on resident level in LC.

Methods: We prospectively gathered data from 200 LC.

Middle colic artery branch aneurysm presenting as spontaneous hemoperitoneum.

Rupture of a middle colic artery branch aneurysm is a rare presentation of visceral artery aneurysms. We report a case of a 53-year-old male complaining of acute-onset abdominal pain found to have a massive intraabdominal hematoma secondary to a leaking branch aneurysm of the middle colic artery. The patient underwent laparotomy and ligation of the aneurysm after an attempted endovascular intervention.

Consideration of comorbidity in risk stratification prior to prostate biopsy.

Background: Previously, the patient-reported Total Illness Burden Index for Prostate Cancer (TIBI-CaP) questionnaire and/or the physician-reported Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) have provided assessments of competing comorbidity during treatment decisions for patients with prostate cancer. In the current study, the authors used these assessments to determine comorbidity and prognosis before prostate biopsy and the subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer to identify those patients least likely to benefit from treatment.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was performed of 104 participants aged 64.

For homeopathy: a practising physician's perspective.

This article is a rebuttal to Kevin Smith's 'Against Homeopathy,' which was posted on 14 February 2011.(1) It contends that his argument rests entirely on the assumption that homeopathic remedies are nothing but placebos. His argumentation is good, but his assumption is false.

Erosion of embolization coils into the renal collecting system mimicking stone.

Urinary tract interventions can lead to multiple complications in the renal collecting system, including retained foreign bodies from endourologic or percutaneous procedures, such as stents, nephrostomy tubes, and others. We report a case of very delayed erosion of embolization coils migrating into the renal pelvis, acting as a nidus for stone formation, causing mild obstruction and finally leading to gross hematuria roughly 18 years post transarterial embolization. History is significant for a remote unsuccessful endopyelotomy attempt that required an urgent embolization.

Dipyridamole-associated shock and pulmonary edema.

Objective: To report a case of fulminant shock and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema induced by intravenously administered dipyridamole.

Case Summary: A 73-year-old woman presented to the office of her cardiologist for dipyridamole myocardial scintigraphy. Several minutes after administration of intravenous dipyridamole 0.

Application of biomarkers in the development of drugs intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and slowly progressive disease for which biomarkers may be able to provide a more rapid indication of therapeutic responses to therapy than is currently available; this could accelerate and facilitate OA drug discovery and development programs. The goal of this document is to provide a summary and guide to the application of in vitro (biochemical and other soluble) biomarkers in the development of drugs for OA and to outline and stimulate a research agenda that will further this goal.

Methods: The Biomarkers Working Group representing experts in the field of OA biomarker research from both academia and industry developed this consensus document between 2007 and 2009 at the behest of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Federal Drug Administration initiative (OARSI FDA initiative).

Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain and functional limitation in older adults, yet longer-term studies of medical treatment of OA are limited.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate (CS), alone or in combination, as well as celecoxib and placebo on painful knee OA over 2 years.

Methods: A 24-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted at nine sites in the US ancillary to the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial, enrolled 662 patients with knee OA who satisfied radiographic criteria (Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2 or 3 changes and baseline joint space width of at least 2 mm).

A walking model to assess the onset of analgesia in osteoarthritis knee pain.

Objective: To assess a walking model utilizing a set of standardized treadmill walks to measure acute analgesic response in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose, three-period crossover study. Patients > or =45 years of age (N=22) with symptomatic knee OA were randomized to naproxen 500 mg bid, tramadol/acetaminophen 37.

OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: part III: Changes in evidence following systematic cumulative update of research published through January 2009.

Objective: To update evidence for available therapies in the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to examine whether research evidence has changed from 31 January 2006 to 31 January 2009.

Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Science Citation Index and the Cochrane Library. The quality of studies was assessed.

The burden of osteoarthritis: clinical and quality-of-life issues.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a potentially devastating joint disease, affecting 27 million US adults. Its pathophysiology is marked by a gradual degenerative process accompanied by low-grade inflammation, and, although there is a strong correlation between age and OA risk, the abnormal changes that occur in the articular cartilage of people with OA differ notably from the typical changes associated with joint aging in several important ways. Risk factors for OA are multiple and span a variety of risk domains, such as lifestyle issues (eg, obesity and engagement in manual labor), genetic predisposition, sex and ethnicity (risk is higher in women and African Americans), and comorbidities.

Assessing single joints in arthritis clinical trials.

The need to develop validated outcome measures to assess response to therapies in single joints has been recognized. In 2004, a task force was established to assess established and novel outcome measures in accordance with the OMERACT filter (truth, discrimination, and feasibility) for single joint assessment. This report describes the proceedings of the single joint assessment special interest group (SIG) at OMERACT 9, including an updated literature review of imaging of the knee joints, with a focus on the extent to which these modalities fulfill the OMERACT filter.

Preliminary study of virtual reality and model simulation for learning laparoscopic suturing skills.

Purpose: Repetitive practice of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying can facilitate surgeon proficiency in performing this reconstructive technique. We compared a silicone model and pelvic trainer to a virtual reality simulator in the learning of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying by laparoscopically naïve medical students, and evaluated the subsequent performance of porcine laparoscopic cystorrhaphy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 20 medical students underwent a 1-hour didactic session with video demonstration of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying by an expert laparoscopic surgeon.

Preliminary evaluation of a genitourinary skills training curriculum for medical students.

Purpose: Basic urology training in medical school is considered important for many medical and surgical disciplines. We developed a 2-day intensive genitourinary skills training curriculum for medical students beginning their clinical clerkship training years and evaluated the initial experience with this program.

Materials And Methods: All 94 third-year medical students at the University of California, Irvine were required to participate in a 5.

Retroperitoneal transdiaphragmatic robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection of a left thoracolumbar neurofibroma.

Objective: Robotic technology has been used in a variety of surgical procedures for its 3D magnification and precision. Minimally invasive techniques have already become common in neurosurgery; however, robotic-assisted procedures in neurosurgery are still a relatively new frontier. This report describes the first use of robotic technology to resect a left thoracolumbar neurofibroma.

Evaluation of the outcomes of electrosurgical induced bowel injury treated with tissue glue/sealant versus sutured repair in a rabbit model.

Introduction: Bowel injury is an uncommon, although potentially devastating, intraoperative laparoscopic complication. Questions have been raised about the possible use of a tissue adhesive to repair injured bowel. We compared glued repair and sutured repair of both large bowel (LB) and small bowel (SB) electrosurgical injuries in a rabbit model.