Role of Temporal artery biopsy in a sequential Giant Cell Arteritis fast-track pathway: a 5-year prospective study.

Background: Increasing number of centres are establishing sequential fast track pathways (FTP) for management of giant cell arteritis (GCA), with temporal artery ultrasound (US) replacing temporal artery biopsy (TAB) as the first investigational method. Biopsy is performed as second investigation, when US is negative/inconclusive. This study investigates the role of TAB in a sequential GCA-FTP and its utility in those with negative/inconclusive US.

Role of the Adenoplus test in refractory, recurrent and clinically undiagnosed conjunctivitis.

Background: In diagnosing adenoviral conjunctivitis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely adopted as a diagnostic tool. A new antigen-based immunoassay test (AdenoPlus; Rapid Pathogen Screening Inc, Sarasota, Fla.) is commercially available as an alternative diagnostic test.

Anaphylaxis and Clinical Utility of Real-World Measurement of Acute Serum Tryptase in UK Emergency Departments.

Background: British guidelines recommend that serial acute serum tryptase measurements be checked in all adults and a subset of children presenting with anaphylaxis. This is the first study reporting the clinical utility of acute serum tryptase in a "real-world" emergency department (ED) setting following the publication of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) criteria for anaphylaxis.

Objectives: To (1) assess sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of acute serum tryptase in anaphylaxis; (b) determine factors associated with higher acute serum tryptase levels; and (c) audit compliance of acute serum tryptase measurement in the ED.

Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of benign eyelid lesions: Is a dedicated nurse-led service safe and effective?

This article compares an independent nurse-led benign lesion service with a doctor-led one, and assesses the impact of clinician seniority on diagnostic accuracy rates. Retrospective review of benign lesions referred to a teaching hospital and managed in either a doctor- or nurse-led lid service. All lesions were diagnosed clinically, excised and then sent for histological diagnosis.

Validation of digital pathology imaging for primary histopathological diagnosis.

Aims: Digital pathology (DP) offers advantages over glass slide microscopy (GS), but data demonstrating a statistically valid equivalent (i.e. non-inferior) performance of DP against GS are required to permit its use in diagnosis.

Active Treatment for Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis (ACTIvATeS): a feasibility study.

Background: The feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of scoliosis-specific exercises (SSEs) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is uncertain.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a large, multicentre trial of SSE treatment for patients with AIS, in comparison with standard care, and to refine elements of the study design. The objectives were to (1) update a systematic review of controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of SSE in AIS; (2) survey UK orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists to determine current practice, patient populations and equipoise; (3) randomise 50 adolescents to a feasibility trial of either usual care or SSE interventions across a range of sites; (4) develop, document and assess acceptability and adherence of interventions; (5) assess and describe training requirements of physiotherapists; and (6) gain user input in all relevant stages of treatment and protocol design.

Full thickness skin grafts in periocular reconstructions: long-term outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of eyelid reconstruction in patients who underwent full thickness skin grafts.

Methods: A retrospective, noncomparative intervention study of patients who underwent periocular reconstruction with full thickness skin grafts between 2005 and 2011.

Results: One hundred consecutive Caucasian patients were included in the study, 54 women and 46 men.

Father absence and age at first birth in a Western sample.

Objectives: Although a large literature has shown links between "father absence" during early childhood, and earlier puberty and sexual behavior in girls in Western populations, there are only a few studies which have looked at timing of reproduction, and only one of these fully incorporated childless respondents to investigate whether father absence is associated with increased hazard of becoming a parent at one time point (early) more than another. Here we sought to clarify exactly when, if at all, father absence increased the likelihood of first birth in a Western sample.

Methods: An online sample of 954 women reported on their childhood living circumstances, their age of menarche, first coitus, first pregnancy, and first birth.

A cluster randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of intermediate care clinics for diabetes (ICCD): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: World-wide healthcare systems are faced with an epidemic of type 2 diabetes. In the United Kingdom, clinical care is primarily provided by general practitioners (GPs) rather than hospital specialists. Intermediate care clinics for diabetes (ICCD) potentially provide a model for supporting GPs in their care of people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and in their management of cardiovascular risk factors.