Does defect size matter in abdominal wall reconstruction with successful fascial closure?

Background: Conflicting literature suggests that larger defects in abdominal wall reconstruction both increase the risk of recurrence and have no impact on recurrence. In our prior work, hernias with defect areas ≥100 cm were associated with increased discomfort, operative time, and length of stay but not recurrence or reoperation. Our goal was to determine if defect size, even in giant hernias, would impact recurrence after mesh repair with complete fascial closure.

Outcomes of synthetic and biologic mesh in abdominal wall reconstruction: A propensity-matched analysis in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention class 1 and 2 wounds.

Introduction: The choice of biologic compared with synthetic mesh in abdominal wall reconstruction remains controversial, especially in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention class 1 and 2 wounds. This study evaluated wound complications and hernia recurrence with a 2:1 propensity-matched sample and extended follow-up.

Methods And Procedures: A prospectively maintained abdominal wall reconstruction database was queried for patients undergoing open abdominal wall reconstruction using biologic or synthetic mesh in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention class 1 and 2 wounds.

The benefits of preoperative smoking cessation on abdominal wall reconstruction outcomes: An examination of abstinent versus never smokers.

Introduction: Active smoking is related to wound and respiratory complications following abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR), but no AWR studies directly compare outcomes of abstinent-smokers (AS), fulfilling four-weeks of smoking cessation, to non-smokers (NS).

Methods: Prospectively maintained institutional database was queried for all AWR between 2012 and 2019. AS and NS were included.

Novel Twenty20 batting simulations: a strategy for research and improved practice.

Twenty20 cricket and batting in particular have remained vastly understudied to date. To elucidate the effects of batting on the batter, tools which replicate match play in controlled environments are essential. This study describes the development of two Twenty20 batting simulations, for a high and low strike rate innings, generated from retrospective analysis of international and domestic competition.

Restless legs syndrome: Clinical changes in nervous system excitability at the spinal cord level.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a complex multifactorial disorder whose aetiology has yet to be fully elucidated. Some of the features of RLS, such as processing of sensations and activation of movement, may result from a dysfunction in spinal processing giving rise to a state of spinal hyperexcitability. In the current article we review studies investigating spinal excitability in RLS patients looking specifically at electrophysiological studies of spinal activity, sensory evaluations, and spinal reflex studies.

Characterization of painful Restless Legs Syndrome sensations in an English-speaking South African population.

Background and aims Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is characterised by unusual sensations in the legs which can be described as painful in up to 60% of RLS patients. The purpose of this study was to characterise and examine whether the presence of pain influenced the words used to describe the sensations of RLS in an English speaking population. Methods RLS participants (n=55) were divided according to whether or not painful RLS sensations were reported upon questioning.

Distal muscle activity alterations during the stance phase of gait in restless leg syndrome (RLS) patients.

Objective: To assess if there is a circadian variation in electromyographical (EMG) muscle activity during gait in restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients and healthy control participants.

Methods: Gait assessment was done in 14 RLS patients and 13 healthy control participants in the evening (PM) and the morning (AM). Muscle activity was recorded bilaterally from the tibialis anterior (TA), lateral gastrocnemius (GL), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles.

Circadian variation of flexor withdrawal and crossed extensor reflexes in patients with restless legs syndrome.

An evening state of spinal hyperexcitability has been proposed to be a possible cause of evening increases in restless legs syndrome symptoms. Thus, the objective of the current study was to assess the circadian variation in spinal excitability in patients with restless legs syndrome based on flexor withdrawal reflex and crossed extensor reflex responses. The reflexes were elicited on 12 participants with restless legs syndrome and 12 healthy control participants in the evening (PM) and the morning (AM).

Plantar reflex excitability is increased in the evening in restless legs syndrome patients.

Objective: To investigate if diurnal changes in spinal excitability (plantar reflex) occur in restless legs syndrome (RLS) participants compared to healthy matched controls.

Methods: Thirteen RLS participants and 13 healthy control participants' plantar reflex responses were evaluated in the evening (PM) and the morning (AM). Plantar reflex responses were assessed electromyographically, using motion analysis (kinematically) and by subjective nociception (Visual Analogue Scale).

Combined individual scrummaging kinetics and muscular power predict competitive team scrum success.

Scrummaging is a major component of Rugby Union gameplay. Successful scrummaging is dependent on the coordination of the forward players and the strength of the eight individuals. The study aim was to determine whether individual scrummaging kinetics and other candidate factors associated with scrummaging performance discriminate team scrum performances.

The Interrater Reliability of Subjective Assessments of the Babinski Reflex.

The Babinski reflex is a clinical diagnostic tool; however, the interrater reliability of this tool is currently greatly contested. A comparison between rater groups with objective measurements of the Babinski reflex was therefore conducted. Fifteen recorded Babinski reflexes were assessed by 12 neurologists and 12 medical students as being either pathological or nonpathological.

Waking Up the Mind: Qualitative Study Findings About the Process Through Which Programs Combining Income Generation and Health Education Can Empower Indigenous Guatemalan Women.

We explored the process through which two income-generation programs that include health education empower indigenous Guatemalan women artisans. Both artisans (n = 44) and program staff (n = 11) participated in semistructured interviews. Respondents expressed that women gained support about personal issues and experienced an awakening of the mind (despertar la mente).

Toxicology and Biodistribution Studies for MGH2.1, an Oncolytic Virus that Expresses Two Prodrug-activating Genes, in Combination with Prodrugs.

MGH2.1 is a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) oncolytic virus that expresses two prodrug-activating transgenes: the cyclophosphamide (CPA)-activating cytochrome P4502B1 (CYP2B1) and the CPT11-activating secreted human intestinal carboxylesterase (shiCE). Toxicology and biodistribution of MGH2.

The accuracy of subjective clinical assessments of the patellar reflex.

Introduction: Measurement precision and accuracy of spinal reflexes plays an essential role in the clinical neurological examination. Reflexes are conventionally assessed either electromyographically or with rating scales. In this study we compared objective kinematic T-reflex and subjective assessments of patellar reflexes in 15 normal healthy subjects.

The patellar reflex: does activity of quadriceps femoris muscles reflect leg movement?

Objectives: The assessment of spinal reflexes has traditionally been performed by clinicians with minimal need for recording equipment, where doctors rely on their training and may use established subjective reflex rating scales. With advances in technology, it is now possible to assess reflexes objectively. This study compared two objective methods of assessing patellar reflex magnitude, duration, and latency, namely electromyography (EMG) of the quadriceps muscles and kinematic assessment of the leg movement around the knee joint.

Descriptors of restless legs syndrome sensations.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterised by an urge to move in response to unusual sensations in the legs. Patients experience difficulty describing their RLS sensations, resulting in a diverse range of descriptors which have not been fully categorised. The purpose of this study was to describe RLS sensations and to evaluate the accuracy of current diagnostic descriptors.

A study of oxaliplatin-nucleobase interactions using ion trap electrospray mass spectrometry.

Oxaliplatin is an important anti-cancer drug that has been approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer. It is known that oxaliplatin, like other Pt-based drugs, interacts with DNA to form cytotoxic Pt-DNA adducts that disrupt important biological processes such as DNA replication and protein synthesis. Linear ion trap electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was employed to study the interaction of oxaliplatin with DNA nucleobases.

Nano-particle labelling of nucleic acids for enhanced detection by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Oligonucleotides containing a biotin functionality were successfully labelled with a streptavidin nanogold conjugate and subsequently separated and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS).