Association of OCT and OCT angiography measures with the development and worsening of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To assess if optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) measures are associated with the development and worsening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) over four years.

Methods: 280 participants with type 2 diabetes underwent ultra-wide field fundus photography, OCT and OCTA. OCT-derived macular thickness measures, retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness and OCTA-derived foveal avascular zone area, perimeter, circularity, vessel density (VD) and macular perfusion (MP) were examined in relation to the development and worsening of DR over four years.

Early retinal functional alteration in relation to diabetes duration in patients with type 2 diabetes without diabetic retinopathy.

To examine the retinal structure and function in relation to diabetes duration and glycemia in patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR). 85 adults with type 2 diabetes without DR or macular edema underwent dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultra-wide field fundus photography, multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and HbA assessment. Patients were stratified as those with diabetes duration < 10 years and ≥ 10 years.

Zone-wise examination of optical coherence tomography features and their correspondence to multifocal electroretinography in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: To examine (1) the retinal structure by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and function by means of multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in eyes with and without nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (2) for correspondence between local retinal function and OCT zones with retinal lesions.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-two eligible participants (30 with nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and 102 with diabetes with no DR) underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography for retinal thickness measures, mfERG, and ultra-wide field fundus photography. OCT Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid was overlaid on to mfERG plots.

Guidelines for the management of hereditary colorectal cancer from the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)/Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI)/United Kingdom Cancer Genetics Group (UKCGG).

Heritable factors account for approximately 35% of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, and almost 30% of the population in the UK have a family history of CRC. The quantification of an individual's lifetime risk of gastrointestinal cancer may incorporate clinical and molecular data, and depends on accurate phenotypic assessment and genetic diagnosis. In turn this may facilitate targeted risk-reducing interventions, including endoscopic surveillance, preventative surgery and chemoprophylaxis, which provide opportunities for cancer prevention.

Exome sequencing in patients with antiepileptic drug exposure and complex phenotypes.

Introduction: Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome (FACS) describes the pattern of physical and developmental problems seen in those children exposed to certain antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in utero. The diagnosis of FACS is a clinical one and so excluding alternative diagnoses such as genetic disorders is essential.

Methods: We reviewed the pathogenicity of reported variants identified on exome sequencing in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) Study in 42 children exposed to AEDs in utero, but where a diagnosis other than FACS was suspected.

Perioperative laboratory monitoring in congenital haemophilia patients with inhibitors: a systematic literature review.

: Although the use of clotting factor concentrates is the mainstay of haemophilia care, the development of inhibitors complicates disease management. Perioperative management of patients with inhibitors is therefore a challenge. A systematic literature review was performed to identify literature reporting on the perioperative monitoring and management of haemophilia.

Incidence, clinical features and outcomes of atrial fibrillation and stroke in Qatar.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for stroke but there are limited data on atrial fibrillation-related stroke from the Middle East.

Methods: We interrogated the Qatar Stroke Database to establish the occurrence, clinical features, and outcomes of atrial fibrillation-related stroke at Hamad General Hospital, the sole provider of acute stroke care in Qatar.

Results: A total of 4079 patients (81.

Corneal confocal microscopy as a tool for detecting diabetic polyneuropathy in a cohort with screen-detected type 2 diabetes: ADDITION-Denmark.

Aims: In this cross-sectional study, we explored the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) measures for detecting diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and their association with clinical variables, in a cohort with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: CCM, nerve conduction studies, and assessment of symptoms and clinical deficits of DPN were undertaken in 144 participants with type 2 diabetes and 25 controls. DPN was defined according to the Toronto criteria for confirmed DPN.

The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI): An Instrument for the Comprehensive Estimation of Lifetime Noise Exposure.

Lifetime noise exposure is generally quantified by self-report. The accuracy of retrospective self-report is limited by respondent recall but is also bound to be influenced by reporting procedures. Such procedures are of variable quality in current measures of lifetime noise exposure, and off-the-shelf instruments are not readily available.

Anterior paracingulate and cingulate cortex mediates the effects of cognitive load on speech sound discrimination.

Perceiving speech while performing another task is a common challenge in everyday life. How the brain controls resource allocation during speech perception remains poorly understood. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the effect of cognitive load on speech perception by examining brain responses of participants performing a phoneme discrimination task and a visual working memory task simultaneously.

UK-South Asian patients' experiences of and satisfaction toward receiving information about biologics in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes painful joint inflammation and is incurable, but treatments control RA. Drug regimens are complex, and patients often do not take their medication as expected. Poor medication adherence can lead to poorly controlled disease and worse patient outcomes.

Corneal and Retinal Neuronal Degeneration in Early Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: To examine the neuronal structural integrity of cornea and retina as markers for neuronal degeneration in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: Participants were recruited from the broader Brisbane community, Queensland, Australia. Two hundred forty-one participants (187 with diabetes and 54 nondiabetic controls) were examined.

Physiology of ageing of the musculoskeletal system.

This review aims to provide a summary of current concepts of ageing in relation to the musculoskeletal system, highlighting recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of age-related changes in bone, skeletal muscle, chondroid and fibrous tissues. The key components of the musculoskeletal system and their functions are introduced together with a general overview of the molecular hallmarks of ageing. A brief description of the normal architecture of each of these tissue types is followed by a summary of established and developing concepts of mechanisms contributing to the age-related alterations in each.

Detecting the earliest radiological signs of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis.

Introduction Oral bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed anti-resorptive drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis, but osteonecrosis of the jaw is a serious complication. The early diagnosis of this destructive side effect is crucial in preventing excessive bone loss, pain and infection.Objective To aid dental practitioners in the early identification of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Ophthalmic and clinical factors that predict four-year development and worsening of diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes.

Aims: To investigate the role of ophthalmic imaging markers - namely retinal thickness measures and corneal nerve morphology - in predicting four-year development and worsening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Methods: 126 eyes of 126 participants with T1DM were examined at baseline and after four years. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was graded using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale.

How can those engaging in chemsex best be supported? An online survey to gain intelligence in Greater Manchester.

Reports of sexualised drug taking (chemsex) have increased significantly in recent years. There is currently limited intelligence on chemsex outside of London. An anonymous survey was promoted via several sources including voluntary services and a sexual health clinic in order to establish the risks associated with chemsex, and how support services can best be tailored to meet the needs of those in Greater Manchester, UK.

Optical coherence tomography predicts 4-year incident diabetic neuropathy.

Purpose: To examine the capability of optical coherence tomography-derived retinal thickness measures in detecting 4-year incident diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Methods: 145 eyes of 145 participants with diabetes but no DPN at baseline were examined for incident DPN. HbA levels, nephropathy, neuropathy (DPN), cardiovascular measures, and various retinal thickness measures were examined at baseline and after 4 years.

Management of parturients with Factor XI deficiency-10year case series and review of literature.

This is an article reviewing the management of pregnant women with factor XI (FXI) deficiency. Retrospective review of the electronic records of 67 pregnancies in 25 women with FXI deficiency over a ten-year period was undertaken. All women received care at St Mary's Tertiary Referral Obstetric/Haematology Clinic for some or all of their pregnancies.

UK anaesthetists' perspectives and experiences of severe perioperative anaphylaxis: NAP6 baseline survey.

Background: There is limited information on UK anaesthetists' perspectives and experiences of perioperative anaphylaxis. This baseline survey of the Sixth National Audit Project (NAP6) aimed to identify relevant departmental preparedness and practices, and individual experiences, perceptions and drug-avoidance patterns.

Methods: All anaesthetists in 356 UK NHS hospitals were invited to complete an electronic survey.

Critical points for an accurate human genome analysis.

Next-generation sequencing is radically changing how DNA diagnostic laboratories operate. What started as a single-gene profession is now developing into gene panel sequencing and whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing (WES/WGS) analyses. With further advances in sequencing technology and concomitant price reductions, WGS will soon become the standard and be routinely offered.

Guidelines on the timing and frequency of bitewing radiography: a systematic review.

Objectives To identify guidelines on when and how frequently bitewing radiographs should be used in dentistry for the diagnosis of caries, and to provide an objective appraisal of their quality.Data sources MEDLINE (OVID), US National Guideline Clearinghouse (www.guideline.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: update on management.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is an inherited disease causing an approximately fourfold increase in blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) from birth compared with the age-matched normal population owing to reduced low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) activity. Such elevated cholesterol is associated with accelerated atheromatous disease, particularly of the aortic root and coronary arteries. However, HoFH is clinically heterogeneous, reflecting residual low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) activity.

Diagnostic capability of retinal thickness measures in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Purpose: To examine the diagnostic capability of the full retinal and inner retinal thickness measures in differentiating individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) from those without neuropathy and non-diabetic controls.

Methods: Individuals with (n=44) and without (n=107) diabetic neuropathy and non-diabetic control (n=42) participants underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). Retinal thickness in the central 1mm zone (including the fovea), parafovea and perifovea was assessed in addition to ganglion cell complex (GCC) global loss volume (GCC GLV) and focal loss volume (GCC FLV), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.

Feasibility of hybrid off pump artery bypass grafting and transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A case series.

Introduction: Patients with complex coronary artery disease and severe aortic stenosis unsuitable for conventional cardiac surgery pose a significant treatment challenge. This is especially difficult for patients where percutaneous revascularization is technically very challenging and/or would not offer as complete revascularisation compared to surgical revascularisation. In addition, patients who are unsuitable for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) pose an additional technical challenge, particularly with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).