Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

Arsenic trioxide is an essential component of therapy for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) and is currently dosed on actual body weight with no upper limit. Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity is a well-recognised complication; however, there is uncertainty about its relationship to arsenic dose and obesity. We conducted a large multicentre retrospective study of 487 patients with APL treated with arsenic-based therapy across 23 sites in Australia from 2008 to 2023.

Characteristics of laparoscopic and open hernia repair simulation models: a systematic review.

Purpose: Barriers to education in open and laparoscopic hernia repair technique include a steep learning curve and reduced theatre time for junior surgical trainees. This is particularly evident during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Simulation models may provide further opportunities for training in hernia repair outside of the traditional surgical apprenticeship model.

A systematic review of low-cost simulators in ENT surgery.

Background: Simulation training has become a key part of the surgical curriculum over recent years. Current trainees face significantly reduced operating time as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, alongside increased costs to surgical training, thus creating a need for low-cost simulation models.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using multiple databases.

Low-cost simulation models in Urology: a systematic review of the literature.

Introduction: Simulation models have been found to be effective and valid for training in Urology. Due to increasing costs of surgical training, there is a need for low-cost simulation models to enable Urology trainees to improve their skills.

Material And Methods: A literature review was performed using the PubMed and Embase databases until March 2020.

Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Oesophageal Cancer for Patients Unfit for Systemic Therapy: A Retrospective Single-Centre Analysis.

Aims: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is established as a superior treatment option to definitive radiotherapy in the non-surgical management of oesophageal cancer. For patients precluded from CRT through choice or comorbidity there is little evidence to guide delivery of single-modality radiotherapy. In this study we outline outcomes for patients unfit for CRT who received a hypofractionated radiotherapy (HRT) regimen.

Written reflection in assessment and appraisal: GP and GP trainee views.

Background: In the UK, evidence of written reflection is part of licensing and revalidation for general practitioners (GPs). However, there is little evidence of specific benefits compared to other forms of reflective practice.

Aim: To seek GPs' and general practice (GP) trainees' views on the role of written reflection in learning and assessment.

Benign tumours of the bone: A review.

Benign tumours of the bone are not cancerous and would not metastasise to other regions of the body. However, they can occur in any part of the skeleton, and can still be dangerous as they may grow and compress healthy bone tissue. There are several types of benign tumours that can be classified by the type of matrix that the tumour cells produce; such as bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, fat or blood vessel.

Changes in tuberculin skin test positivity over 20 years in periurban shantytowns in Lima, Peru.

A cross-sectional, community-based study was performed in 2012 with 428 residents of periurban shantytowns in Lima, Peru to study risk factors for and changes in latent tuberculosis infection in age-stratified groups compared with our data from the same region in 1990 (N = 219) and 2005 (N = 103). Tuberculin skin test positivity in these communities was highly prevalent at 52% overall, increased with age (P < 0.01) and was similar to 2005 (53%) and 1990 (48%).

Zinc cream and reliability of tuberculosis skin testing.

In 50 healthy Peruvian shantytown residents, zinc cream applied to tuberculosis skin-test sites caused a 32% increase in induration compared with placebo cream. Persons with lower plasma zinc had smaller skin-test reactions and greater augmentation with zinc cream. Zinc deficiency caused false-negative skin-test results, and topical zinc supplementation augmented antimycobacterial immune responses enough to improve diagnosis.

Tuberculosis skin testing, anergy and protein malnutrition in Peru.

Setting: Malnutrition and intestinal parasites cause immunosuppression. This may cause false-negative tuberculin skin tests (TST) and failure to identify tuberculosis (TB) infection.

Objective: To assess factors associated with TST positivity and anergy in disadvantaged communities in Peru.

Recent tuberculosis advances in Latin America.

Purpose Of Review: Tuberculosis kills more people than any other infection. Despite advances in diagnostic methods and greater understanding of the reasons for treatment failure, tuberculosis remains common throughout Latin America.

Recent Findings: The impact of HIV and multidrug resistance on tuberculosis control has been enormous.