Standardising the biochemical confirmation of adult male hypogonadism: A joint position statement by the Society for Endocrinology and Association of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

Background: Inter-assay variation between different immunoassays and different mass spectrometry methods hampers the biochemical confirmation of male hypogonadism. Furthermore, some laboratories utilise assay manufacturer reference ranges that do not necessarily mirror assay performance characteristics, with the lower limit of normality ranging from 4.9 nmol/L to 11 nmol/L.

Standardising the biochemical confirmation of adult male hypogonadism; a joint position statement by the Society for Endocrinology and Association of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

Inter-assay variation between different immunoassays and different mass spectrometry methods hampers the biochemical confirmation of male hypogonadism. Furthermore, some laboratories utilis eassay manufacturer reference ranges that do not necessarily mirror assay performance characteristics, with the lower limit of normality ranging from 4.9 nmol/L to 11 nmol/L.

Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associated Microvascular Complications.

Background The chronic macro and microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus pose serious health challenges. Metabolic syndrome (MetSy) is characterized by central obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, low high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), high triglycerides (TGs), and hypertension. MetSy precedes or accompanies diabetes, and it has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death.

Three-Dimensional Volume Rendering of Pelvic Floor Anatomy with Focus on Fibroids in Relation to the Lower Urogenital Tract Based on Cross-Sectional MRI Images.

We aimed to assess the feasibility of developing three-dimensional (3D) models of pelvic organs using cross-sectional MRI images of patients with uterine fibroids and urinary symptoms and of obtaining anatomical information unavailable in 2D imaging modalities. We also aimed to compare two image processing applications. We performed a feasibility study analysing MRI scans from three women, aged 30 to 58 years old, with fibroids and urinary symptoms.

Nationwide Study in France To Predict One Year Major Bleeding and Validate the OAC3-PAD Score in Patients Undergoing Revascularisation for Lower Extremity Arterial Disease.

Objective: Antithrombotic strategies are currently recommended for the treatment of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) but specific scores to assess the risk of bleeding in these patients are scarce. To fill the gap, the OAC3-PAD bleeding score was recently developed and validated in German cohorts. The aim of this study was to determine whether this score performs appropriately in another real world nationwide cohort.

Effective bedside teaching as a foundation doctor.

Bedside teaching is a key component of education at medical school, particularly in the clinical years. It provides an invaluable opportunity for students to practise examining patients, and further develops their communication and professional skills. Doctors who have newly graduated from medical school are often expected to provide such teaching to medical students placed on their wards.

'Post-Close' Femoral Arterial Haemostasis at Endovascular Aneurysm Repair using a Dedicated Large-Bore Vascular Closure Device: A Prospective Real-World Audit.

Purpose: Percutaneous access for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is commonplace, with its attendant benefits. The combination of continued reduction in device profile and evolution of vascular closure device (VCD) design drives successful and safe percutaneous EVAR. A new such VCD is the MANTA Large-Bore Closure Device designed in two iterations for closure of arterial defects from 10 to 25F.

Gastroparesis-Related Symptoms in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Early Detection, Risk Factors, and Prevalence.

Background The symptoms of gastroparesis, such as bloating, postprandial fullness, early satiety, nausea, and abdominal discomfort, progressively worsen the quality of life of the affected individuals. The diagnosis is established on the assessment of gastric function that confirms delayed gastric emptying in the absence of structural etiologies. This study aimed to detect gastroparesis-related clinical symptoms early in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), investigate the concomitant risk factors, and evaluate the prevalence.

COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab and cribriform fracture.

Since the start of the pandemic, over 400 million COVID-19 swab tests have been conducted in the UK with a non-trivial number associated with skull base injury. Given the continuing use of nasopharyngeal swabs, further cases of swab-associated skull base injury are anticipated. We describe a 54-year-old woman presenting with persistent colourless nasal discharge for 2 weeks following a traumatic COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab.

Use of cast immobilization versus removable brace in adults with an ankle fracture: two-year follow-up of a multicentre randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the longer-term outcomes of operatively and nonoperatively managed patients treated with a removable brace (fixed-angle removable orthosis) or a plaster cast immobilization for an acute ankle fracture. This is a secondary analysis of a multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing adults with an acute ankle fracture, initially managed either by operative or nonoperative care. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either a cast immobilization or a fixed-angle removable orthosis (removable brace).

A case of atrial fibrillation complicated by complete atrioventricular block.

Atrial fibrillation and complete atrioventricular block are two well-established arrhythmias that can share common aetiologies and risk factors. Although the two arrhythmias can co-exist, only a limited number of cases of atrial fibrillation complicated by complete atrioventricular block have been reported. Correct recognition is essential due to the risk of sudden cardiac death.

Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implants for the Treatment of Focal Chondral Defects of the Knee in Animal Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Osteoarthritis remains an unfortunate long-term consequence of focal cartilage defects of the knee. Associated with functional loss and pain, it has necessitated the exploration of new therapies to regenerate cartilage before significant deterioration and subsequent joint replacement take place. Recent studies have investigated a multitude of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sources and polymer scaffold compositions.

An Overview of Rhinoplasty Practices: European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, Collaborative Cross-Sectional Study.

This collaborative European Academy of Plastic Surgery (EAFPS) study aimed to provide an overview of rhinoplasty practices, informing clinician and patient decision making. It is a multicenter cross-sectional study, reported as per Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. All EAFPS members were contacted via email, inviting them to participate.

International, prospective cohort study comparing non-absorbable versus absorbable sutures for skin surgery: CANVAS service evaluation.

Background: Absorbable or non-absorbable sutures can be used for superficial skin closure following excisional skin surgery. There is no consensus among clinicians nor high-quality evidence supporting the choice of suture. The aim of the present study was to determine current suture use and complications at 30 days after excisional skin surgery.

Amelanotic subungual melanoma and chilblains.

A female patient in her 50s presented with blue discolouration of several toes and with single nail dystrophy affecting the little toenail. The nail changes were considered to be secondary to poor circulation and chilblains, which led to delay in the diagnosis of amelanotic subungual melanoma.

Interprofessional Collaboration and Team Effectiveness of Pharmacists in General Practice: A Cross-National Survey.

As team-based care continues to evolve, pharmacists have been included in general practice teams in many countries, to varying extents, to improve medication use and patient safety. However, evidence on interprofessional collaboration and team effectiveness of pharmacists in general practice is sparse. This study aimed to compare the extent of interprofessional collaboration and team effectiveness of general practice pharmacists in Australia with international sites (Canada and the UK), and identify the factors associated with interprofessional collaboration and team effectiveness.

The impact of flash glucose monitoring on adults with type 1 Diabetes' eating habits and relationship with food.

Aim: To gain a better understanding of how the FreeStyle Libre (FSL) flash glucose monitor influences the eating habits and relationship with food of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on fifteen semi-structured interviews conducted with adults with T1D, exploring their experiences of at least one year of FSL use.

Results: Four themes were constructed from the qualitative data: (1) Personal Food Story (what food represented before and after diabetes diagnosis), (2) New Opportunities (the FSL offered novel discoveries and increased self-confidence regarding food choices), (3) Body as a Machine (participants viewed their bodies as a collection of complex processes requiring continuous maintenance), and (4) re-evaluating Diabetes (participants expressed a shift in their expectations of themselves and their diabetes management).

Clinical audit and research in radiography practice: An exploration of the English landscape.

Background: Research and clinical audit are central to the quality improvement (QI) process in healthcare; whereas research produces new knowledge, clinical audit establishes if practice is meeting set standards. Thus, radiographers have responsibility to engaging in these QI activities. This study aimed to explore radiographers' understanding, attitudes and level of involvement in clinical research and audit across England.