'Home inspections' for life sciences companies going public before clinical proof-of-concept.

For the period from 2010 to 2021, we have observed a phenomenon of life sciences companies conducting Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) without any assets that have demonstrated clinical proof-of-concept (POC). Ideally, this area of investment is targeted by investors with the knowledge and resources to assess the probability of success of such early-stage programs based upon adequately planned and performed due diligence. Our analysis of this trend calls for the establishment of a standardized 'home inspection' procedure that would better inform public equity investors buying into such pre-POC companies about inherent uncertainties that few might be aware of and that even fewer would be equipped to assess.

Providing personalised care for people with tuberculosis: an evaluation of enhanced case management in a UK TB Network 2013 to 2021.

Objectives: Evaluating the outcomes of enhanced case management (ECM) for patients with tuberculosis (TB) in the North Central London TB Service (NCLTBS).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: The NCLTBS provides care for persons diagnosed with TB across north and central London.

A case study of foliglurax, the first clinical mGluR4 PAM for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease: translational gaps or a failing industry innovation model?

Introduction: Approximately 40% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients that take mostly dopamine receptor agonists for motor fluctuations, experience the return of symptoms between regular doses. This is a phenomenon known as 'OFF periods.' Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) are a promising non-dopaminergic mechanism with potential to address the unmet need of patients suffering from OFF periods.

Limb Salvage Using Combined Linking Perforator Free Flaps.

Microsurgical free tissue transfer is the most effective method for extensive reconstruction of lower limb defects. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience of using microsurgically fabricated combined linking perforator flaps for one-stage reconstruction of extensive lower limb defects. Between April 2008 and November 2016, 16 cases of extensive lower defects were reconstructed using combined linking flaps.

Celebrating 45 years of postgraduate medical education.

We are delighted to be celebrating 45 years of publication of the British Journal of Hospital Medicine. The first issue was published in October 1966 (see right) and its introductory editorial is reproduced on p. 546-7.

Mortality from HIV and TB coinfections is higher in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe and Argentina.

Background And Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients worldwide. We aimed to study clinical characteristics and outcome of 1075 consecutive patients diagnosed with HIV/TB from 2004 to 2006 in Europe and Argentina.

Methods: One-year mortality was assessed in patients stratified according to region of residence, and factors associated with death were evaluated in multivariable Cox models.

Best practice recommendations for the prevention and treatment of venous leg ulcers: update 2006.

Purpose: To provide the specialist in skin and wound care with an update in recommended management of venous leg ulcers.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in wound care and related disorders.

Objectives: After reading this article and taking this test, the reader should be able to:Editor's note: This "Best Practice Recommendations" article is reprinted with permission from Wound Care Canada, The Official Publication of the Canadian Association of Wound Care (2006;4[1]:45-55).

Journal impact factors for 2006.

flies even higher

Spontaneous retropharyngeal hemorrhage causing airway obstruction: a case report with a review of the literature.

Spontaneous retropharyngeal hemorrhage, although uncommon, can be rapidly progressive and potentially life-threatening. Timely recognition and appropriate treatment are essential for a successful outcome. We report a case of retropharyngeal hemorrhage in an 81-year-old male with a history of arteriosclerotic disease who presented with cough, dysphagia, dyspnea, and cervical ecchymosis.

UK National Audit of Early Syphilis Management. Case-notes audit: contact tracing, information giving, follow-up and outcomes.

Contact tracing was provided for 683/781 (87%, regional range 57-97%) cases, and identified 997 traceable contacts of whom 511 (51%) were seen, short of the recommended standard of 60%. However, the performance range for this standard was 26-70%, with seven regions achieving 60% or more. Of 511, 215 (42%, range 3-73%) contacts had syphilis.

UK National Audit of Early Syphilis Management. Case notes audit: diagnosis and treatment.

A national audit of 781 early syphilis cases presenting during 2002-03 in UK genitourinary medicine clinics was conducted in late 2004, organized through the Regional Audit Groups. Data were aggregated by region and National Health Service trust, allowing practice to be compared between regions, between trusts within regions, as well as to national averages and the UK National Guidelines. An enzyme immunoassay was used to diagnose 695 (89%) cases (regional range 18-100%).

UK National Audit of Early Syphilis Management. Clinics audit: screening for and management of early syphilis.

Data were provided by 131 clinics, and 56% of cases were managed in clinics in the London regions in 2003. Three clinics (2%) do not routinely screen new patients for syphilis, and 28 clinics (21%) do not routinely screen 'rebook' patients who have had a new partner. More than 80% of clinics routinely conduct cardiovascular and neurological examinations, although chest radiography is only performed by 50% of clinics and lumbar puncture by 13%.

Application of high-throughput computing in bioinformatics.

We describe the challenges faced when developing a Linux/PC-based cluster to apply bioinformatics algorithms to the rapidly increasing raw genomics data available. The calculations, which take around two months to complete, result in a powerful resource that can be used for data mining--most obviously for the human genome. Our current infrastructure consists of a 1314 node cluster with 1734 processors supporting both production and research.

Co-infection with gonorrhoea and chlamydia: how much is there and what does it mean?

A cross-sectional study of new clients with either gonorrhoea or chlamydia attending King's College Hospital in 1998. One thousand two hundred and thirty-nine women and 1141 men had gonorrhoea, chlamydia or both. Overall, 24.