The detection of ACTH and insulin in equine plasma by solid-phase extraction and micro-flow LC/MSMS.

Previous liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods for the detection of insulin and other similar peptide hormones in equine plasma relied on the use of antibody affinity extraction. As a result, these methods were not suitable for routine high-throughput analysis. A solid-phase extraction (SPE) method incorporating size exclusion as well as reversed-phase interactions allows the selective extraction of peptide hormones such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin and their synthetic analogues from equine plasma with approximately 80% extraction efficiencies.

Regional Elective Day Procedure Centre Pilot- the solution to waiting lists and trainee deficit in the reshaping of services following COVID-19?

Background: Consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the secondary impact of cessation of elective surgical services, amplifying the waiting list problem with devastating patient and surgical training repercussions. With the introduction of the first regional inter-trust daycase elective care centre pilot in Northern Ireland, we aim to assess the impact of this pathway on elective inguinal hernia waiting lists, patient outcomes, and influence on surgical training.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively over a 10-week pilot of consecutive elective day case hernia lists at a newly established regional day surgery centre.

Is qFIT a useful tool in prioritising symptomatic patients referred with suspect colorectal cancer in the COVID-19 era?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving healthcare challenge causing secondary disruption of cancer services. Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Testing (qFIT) has been established as a screening method in asymptomatic patients. We aim to assess its utility as a triage tool to prioritise investigations in symptomatic patients with suspected colorectal cancer.

Effects of an anti-IGF-1 receptor monoclonal antibody on laminitis induced by prolonged hyperinsulinaemia in Standardbred horses.

Currently, there are no registered veterinary drugs for the treatment of endocrinopathic equine laminitis, and although this form of the disease is known to be caused by prolonged hyperinsulinaemia, the mechanism of insulin toxicity is unclear. One possibility is that high concentrations of insulin activate IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) in lamellar tissue, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and epidermal lamellar dysregulation. An equinized version of a human anti-IGF-1R therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb11) was generated to test this theory, using a modification of the prolonged euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique.

The effect of diet change and insulin dysregulation on the faecal microbiome of ponies.

The equine microbiome can change in response to dietary alteration and may play a role in insulin dysregulation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding pasture to a hay diet on the faecal bacterial microbiome of both healthy and insulin-dysregulated ponies. Faecal samples were collected from 16 ponies before and after dietary change to enable bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing of the V3-V4 region.

An investigation of the equine epidermal growth factor system during hyperinsulinemic laminitis.

Equine laminitis is a disease of the digital epidermal lamellae typified by epidermal cell proliferation and structural collapse. Most commonly the disease is caused by hyperinsulinemia, although the pathogenesis is incompletely understood. Insulin can activate the epidermal growth factor (EGF) system in other species and the present study tested the hypothesis that upregulation of EGF receptor (EGFR) signalling is a key factor in laminitis pathophysiology.

Renal failure parathyroidectomy - Is pre-operative imaging worthwhile?

Background: Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is a significant issue in renal failure patients and some require surgery to control their serum calcium. A number of imaging techniques are used to localise the position of the parathyroid glands prior to surgery. Currently, a combination of ultrasound and isotope preoperative localisation imaging is accepted as useful in parathyroid surgery for primary disease.

A systematic review of the association between a single strenuous event and the development of an inguinal hernia: A medicolegal grey area.

Background: Inguinal hernia is a common surgical presentation. Evidence for its causation regarding occupational and recreational physical exposures is limited. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review objectively evaluating the evidence for a causal link between a single strenuous event and the development of an inguinal hernia.

Complete Genome Sequences of Four Isolates of Plutella xylostella Granulovirus.

Granuloviruses are widespread pathogens of Plutella xylostella L. (diamondback moth) and potential biopesticides for control of this global insect pest. We report the complete genomes of four Plutella xylostella granulovirus isolates from China, Malaysia, and Taiwan exhibiting pairs of noncoding, homologous repeat regions with significant sequence variation but equivalent length.

Draft Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecalis Strain PF3, Isolated from Adelie Penguin Feces from Antarctica.

Enterococcus faecalis is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections and is a common commensal organism in humans and other animals. In this study, we report a draft genome sequence for the E. faecalis strain PF3, isolated from Adélie penguin feces collected from Warriner Island, Antarctica.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis - a 5 year experience.

Title: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis - A 5 year experience.

Aim: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare, life-threatening condition, characterised by a progressive, intra-abdominal inflammatory process resulting in fibrotic visceral constriction. We report the aetiology, management, and outcome of EPS in Belfast.

Overview of the investigation and management of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas.

Background: Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas contribute to 10-20% of pancreatic tumours. Malignant cystic tumours of the pancreas behave similar to adenocarcinomas and thus warrant aggressive management. However, certain benign cystic neoplasms do not require operative intervention.

Association of increasing burn severity in mice with delayed mobilization of circulating angiogenic cells.

Objective: To perform a systematic exploration of the phenomenon of mobilization of circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) in an animal model. This phenomenon has been observed in patients with cutaneous burn wounds and may be an important mechanism for vasculogenesis in burn wound healing.

Design: We used a murine model, in which burn depth can be varied precisely, and a validated culture method for quantifying circulating CACs.

Using ordinal logistic regression to evaluate the performance of laser-Doppler predictions of burn-healing time.

Background: Laser-Doppler imaging (LDI) of cutaneous blood flow is beginning to be used by burn surgeons to predict the healing time of burn wounds; predicted healing time is used to determine wound treatment as either dressings or surgery. In this paper, we do a statistical analysis of the performance of the technique.

Methods: We used data from a study carried out by five burn centers: LDI was done once between days 2 to 5 post burn, and healing was assessed at both 14 days and 21 days post burn.

The challenge of reconstruction for severe facial burn deformity.

This article presents the story of the development of an expanded transposition flap that evolved from a desire to optimally reconstruct facial burn deformities. The story spans 25 years and demonstrates how an algorithm was developed from its use, and how the algorithm is used to analyze large facial burn deformities and provide a reconstructive surgical decision making tree. The experience suggests that versatility, reliability, and minimization of the donor site defect and reconstructive time are all benefits of this approach.

Case report: treatment of open femoral shaft fracture in a severely burned patient.

Objective: To present a case report of a patient with an open fracture and severe burns and review the literature.

Methods: The patient was treated with intubation, intravenous antibiotics, and debridement and intramedullary nailing for the femur fracture. He later underwent multiple burn excision procedures with allograft and autograft skin coverage.

An algorithm for total and subtotal facial reconstruction using an expanded transposition flap: a 20-year experience.

Background: Reconstruction of major facial soft-tissue deformities and deficits is a continuing challenge for surgeons who wish to reliably restore facial function and appearance. A primary problem is deficiency of well-matched donor skin. Others include the unique characteristics of facial skin, the fine anatomical nuances, and the unique functional demands placed on the face making reconstruction difficult.

Expanded transposition flap technique for total and subtotal resurfacing of the face and neck.

Background: The reconstruction of major burn and other deformities resulting from significant soft tissue deficits of the face and neck is a continuing challenge for surgeons who wish to reliably restore facial function and aesthetic appearance. A primary problem is deficiency of well-matched donor skin. Other problems include the unique characteristics of facial skin, the fine anatomic nuances, and the unique functional demands placed on the face.

Depression in burn reconstruction patients: symptom prevalence and association with body image dissatisfaction and physical function.

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and the clinical correlates of symptoms of depression among burn reconstruction patients.

Method: A sample of 224 burn reconstruction patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the SF-36 Health Survey and the Satisfaction with Appearance Scale.

Results: The prevalence of at least mild to moderate symptoms of depression (BDI > or =10) was 46%.