Novel combined pharmacological strategy to alleviate acute phase response following zoledronic acid treatment.

Unlabelled: Brief rationale: Zoledronic acid treatment against osteoporosis is limited by APR. Main result: Combination therapy (hydrocortisone plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and prednisolone) reduced intolerable APR levels and provided complete symptom relief in most patients. Significance of the paper: Combination therapy can enhance patient outcomes in osteoporosis management.

Early Radiological Outcome of Hallux Valgus Corrective Surgery With an Intramedullary Plate: A Single-Center Case Series.

Introduction: Hallux valgus is a common foot deformity that can lead to significant pain and functional limitations. Minimally invasive corrective surgery is becoming increasingly popular. The aim of this study is to evaluate the radiological outcome of mini-open hallux valgus surgery using an intramedullary plate in Asian patients.

Decade of the dangers of multiple magnet ingestion in children: A retrospective review.

Aim: Magnet ingestion has become more frequent in children as magnetic toys and jewellery have been popularised, with the potential to cause significant morbidity. Our aim was to describe our experience at a tertiary paediatric surgical centre.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients admitted with multiple magnet ingestion (January 2011-December 2020).

Endoscopic Removal of a Fecalith or Fecomucolith in a Rectal Stump or Pouch.

Fecaliths or fecomucoliths can form in rectal stumps after a Hartmann procedure or in a coloneovaginal conduit. They can cause significant distress to the patient by causing symptoms such as discharge and odor. We describe a novel and effective method of endoscopic obliteration and removal where other techniques such as removal during examination under anesthesia or serial enemas have failed.

Introduction of Transnasal Endoscopy to a Scottish District General Hospital.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy can be uncomfortable and distressing with many patients opting for conscious sedation over topical local anesthetic spray. Transnasal endoscopy is an alternative and we sought to assess how easily it could be introduced to a district general hospital and how acceptable patients found it. Selected patients requiring diagnostic endoscopy were offered transnasal endoscopy with topical nasal anesthetic by clinicians new to transnasal endoscopy but competent at esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Preoperative anaemia and thrombocytopenia are associated with venous thromboembolism complications after colorectal resection.

Background: Earlier studies have shown that abnormal levels of haemoglobin and platelets may be associated with worse post-operative outcomes. We aim to compare the rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE), anastomotic leak and other complications in patients post-colorectal resection with normal and abnormal levels of haemoglobin and platelets.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 1610 patients from July 2010 to June 2015 in a single colorectal unit.

Inguinal hernias in children.

Background: An inguinal hernia is one of the most common paediatric surgical presentations in a primary care setting. Hernias can present in multiple ways, ranging from an emergency such as a strangulated hernia to a less urgent reducible hernia.

Objective: The aim of this article is to aid in appropriate diagnosis and management of hernias in children.

Factors Affecting Outcome Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Empyema in Children: Experience from a Large Tertiary Referring Centre.

We report the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a large population of children with empyema, focusing on the factors affecting the postoperative length of stay (LOS). After ethical approval (RES-18-0000-071Q), a retrospective review was performed (2013-2018). Results are reported as number of cases (%) and median (range) and analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Undescended testes: What general practitioners need to know.

Background: Undescended testis (UDT) is a common condition, and parents often primarily present to general practitioners. Management in a timely fashion may reduce the risk of malignancy and infertility

Objectives: The aim of this article is to summarise the key points of assessment and management of UDT in the primary care setting. By reviewing key definitions, such as undescended, retractile, ectopic and ascending testes, we aim to provide updated information for the ongoing management of these conditions.

Presence of viable germ cells in testicular regression syndrome remnants: Is routine excision indicated? A systematic review.

There is no consensus in the literature about the necessity for excision of testicular remnants in the context of surgery for an impalpable testis and testicular regression syndrome (TRS). The incidence of germ cells (GCs) within these nubbins varies between 0 and 16% in previously published series. There is a hypothetical potential future malignancy risk, although there has been only one previously described isolated report of intratubular germ-cell neoplasia.

Droplet-Templated Antisolvent Spherical Crystallization of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs with an in situ Formed Binder.

This study presents a novel droplet-templated antisolvent spherical crystallization method applicable to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. In both cases, an alginate hydrogel binder forms in situ, concurrently with the crystallization process, effectively binding the drug crystals into monodisperse spheres. This study presents a detailed process description with mass transfer modeling, and with characterization of the obtained alginate/drug spheres in terms of morphology, composition, and drug loading.

The angiotensin receptor blocker, Losartan, inhibits mammary tumor development and progression to invasive carcinoma.

Drugs that target the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) have recently come into focus for their potential utility as cancer treatments. The use of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors (ACEIs) to manage hypertension in cancer patients is correlated with improved survival outcomes for renal, prostate, breast and small cell lung cancer. Previous studies demonstrate that the Angiotensin Receptor Type I (AT1R) is linked to breast cancer pathogenesis, with unbiased analysis of gene-expression studies identifying significant up-regulation of AGTR1, the gene encoding AT1R in ER+ve/HER2-ve tumors correlating with poor prognosis.

Is arthroscopic assisted percutaneous screw fixation as good as open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures?

Background: This study compares the outcomes of calcaneal fracture surgery after open reduction internal fixation and plating (ORIF) versus arthroscopic assisted percutaneous screw fixation (APSF).

Methods: Group I (N=12) underwent ORIF. Group II (N=15) underwent APSF.

Droplet microfluidics with a nanoemulsion continuous phase.

We present the first study of a novel, generalizable method that uses a water-in-oil nanoemulsion as the continuous phase to generate uniform aqueous micro-droplets in a capillary-based microfluidic system. We first study the droplet generation mechanism in this system and compare it to the more conventional case where a simple oil/solvent (with surfactant) is used as the continuous phase. Next, we present two versatile methods - adding demulsifying chemicals and heat treatment - to allow active online chemical interaction between the continuous and dispersed phases.

Trauma care in Scotland: effect of rurality on ambulance travel times and level of destination healthcare facility.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rurality on the level of destination healthcare facility and ambulance response times for trauma patients in Scotland.

Methods: We used a retrospective analysis of pre-hospital data routinely collected by the Scottish Ambulance Service from 2009-2010. Incident locations were categorised by rurality, using the Scottish urban/rural classification.

Subtalar coalition: a case report.

Unlabelled: Subtalar coalition is an uncommon condition that usually manifests in early adolescence(1). Frequently, this condition is missed. Delayed diagnosis may result in osteoarthritis requiring triple arthrodesis.

Outcome of calcaneoplasty in insertional achilles tendinopathy.

Background: Insertional Achilles tendinopathy may be associated with Haglund's deformity and result in chronic pain. It is usually refractory to conservative management. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of calcaneoplasty performed in our hospital.

Radiofrequency coblation for chronic foot and ankle tendinosis.

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of radiofrequency coblation for chronic tendinosis of the foot and ankle tendons.

Methods: Records of 7 men and 8 women (16 feet) aged 27 to 65 years who underwent radiofrequency coblation for chronic tendinosis (combined with other procedures for other pathology) of the Achilles, posterior tibial, and peroneal tendons were retrospectively reviewed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain status, the Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire for quality of life, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores for functional status of the patients were determined pre- and post-operatively.