The impact of mobilization training time during the first postoperative week on the length of hospital stay in postoperative patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine the impact of mobilization training time during the first postoperative week on the length of hospital stay for postoperative patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Patients: Consecutive patients who underwent elective surgery and stayed in the intensive care unit of a university hospital for more than 48 h between July 2017 and August 2020 were enrolled.

Open surgical treatment for giant presacral tailgut cyst - a case report.

Tailgut cyst is an exceedingly rare congenital anomaly originating from embryonic remnants of the tailgut. Owing to its asymptomatic nature in the early stages, it is prone to clinical misdiagnosis. We present a case of a 55-year-old female with initial symptoms manifesting as sacrococcygeal pain.

Transabdominal laparoscopic excision of a giant retroperitoneal lymphangioma.

Retroperitoneal lymphangioma is exceptionally rare. We present a case of a 41-year-old asymptomatic patient with a large abdominal cystic mass detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan, initially suspected to be pseudomyxoma peritonei. Laparoscopic exploration revealed a 30 x 30 cm multilocular cystic tumour originating from the retroperitoneum.

Traumatic limb amputations in polytrauma ICU admissions.

Background: KwaZulu-Natal bears a significant trauma burden, with polytrauma patients often experiencing traumatic limb amputations. This study investigates traumatic limb amputations in the subgroup of severely injured polytrauma patients admitted to the trauma ICU in KwaZulu-Natal. This study aims to describe the management and outcomes of traumatic limb amputations in polytrauma patients at the trauma ICU.

Experience of a tertiary/quaternary unit with surgery for endocrine hypertension.

Background: Endocrine hypertension is believed to be underestimated worldwide especially in the developing countries. There is a scarcity of publications on endocrine hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to reflect the profile of patients with endocrine hypertension of adrenal/paraganglioma origin at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).

Time to regional surgical care in rural South Africa.

Background: District hospitals in South Africa have limited surgical capacity and regional hospitals treat most essential surgical conditions. This study aimed to describe the pathway and time to regional hospital surgical care for persons with general surgery conditions (PSC) in South Africa.

Methods: This was a retrospective audit of all persons referred on the Vula Mobile App to the general surgery service at Worcester Regional Hospital (WRH) from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.

Validation of the PANAMA-Score for Survival and Benefit of Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Cancer After Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX.

Aim: To validate the prognostic value of the PAncreatic NeoAdjuvant MAssachusetts (PANAMA)-score and to determine its predictive ability for survival benefit derived from adjuvant treatment in patients after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) following neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX.

Background: The PANAMA-score was developed to guide prognostication in patients after neoadjuvant therapy and resection for PDAC. As this score focuses on the risk for residual disease after resection, it might also be able to select patients who benefit from adjuvant after neoadjuvant therapy.

Double-blind randomised trial of saline solution for gargling and nasal rinsing in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: Previous studies have shown that hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling reduced the duration of symptoms in upper respiratory infections caused by coronavirus. This study aims to investigate the effects of two saline regimens on symptoms associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods: Between 2020 and 2022, individuals aged 18-65 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were randomly assigned to either low- or high-saline regimens for 14 days.

Extensive Arterial Dissection: A Rare Multivascular Emergency.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening vascular emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical manifestations might include severe chest pain to neurological deficits, depending on the arterial segments involved. Extensive dissections involving multiple aortic segments and branch vessel occlusions, such as the carotid arteries, are rare and pose unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Impact of Imaging and Pharmacological Treatment Strategies in Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a life-threatening arrhythmia often leading to sudden cardiac death, particularly in critically ill patients. Refractory VT, characterized by recurrent episodes requiring intervention, poses unique challenges for management, necessitating advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This systematic review evaluates the impact of imaging and pharmacological treatments in managing refractory VT in critically ill patients.

Multiple Retained Needles in the Chest and Abdomen Due to Self-Injury: A Case Report.

Retained needles are rarely observed in multiple locations. Furthermore, although case reports on retained needles have been published, there are no standardized guidelines for managing retained needles. A 42-year-old man with schizophrenia was referred to our hospital for intensive care because of a pericardial effusion and 12 needles from needle pricks being retained in both his chest and abdomen.

Rates and Predictors of Malignancy in Bethesda III and IV Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Study.

Aim: Thyroid nodules, based on high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS), are among the most common endocrine abnormalities that affect the general population because of their high estimated prevalence rates. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, cost-effective modality to differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules based on the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC), thus avoiding unnecessary surgery. However, categories III and IV of BSRTC remain a controversial issue in clinical practice, encompassing a wide range of risks of malignancy.

Long-term disease control in dedifferentiated liposarcoma: a case report on trabectedin priming followed by PD-1 inhibition.

Background: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a rare mesenchymal cancer originating from the adipose tissue, with poor survival rates for most patients, highlighting the critical need for novel treatment options.

Case Description: This report examines the efficacy and safety of sequential pre-treatment with the marine-derived alkaloid trabectedin followed by checkpoint inhibition using the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in a 63-year-old male patient with unresectable retroperitoneal DDLPS. Treatment was initiated at the time of the seventh relapse as part of the NitraSarc phase 2 multicenter trial for inoperable soft tissue sarcoma conducted by the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG-15, ).

Analysis of physical activity levels and influencing factors in cancer survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Introduction: Physical activity is becoming more important in cancer patient care. However, there are limited studies investigating physical activity levels in cancer survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aims to assess the present status of physical activity levels in cancer survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy and whether perioperative metrics and length of follow-up have an impact on physical activity levels in survivorship.

Variations in ECM Topography, Fiber Alignment, Mechanical Stiffness, and Cellular Composition Between Ventral and Dorsal Ligamentum Flavum Layers: Insights Into Hypertrophy Pathogenesis.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a significant role in the development of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) and the histological differences between the ventral and dorsal layers of the hypertrophied ligamentum flavum. Although LFH is associated with increased fibrosis in the dorsal layer, comprehensive research exploring the characteristics of the ECM and its mechanical properties in both regions is limited. Furthermore, the distribution of fibrosis-associated myofibroblasts within LFH remains poorly understood.

Challenges in the transition of care for rare connective tissue diseases: results from the 2023 ERN ReCONNET Transition of Care Task Force survey.

Objectives: Two different European Reference Networks cover CTDs with paediatric onset, the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Connective Tissue Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) and the European Reference Network on Rare Immunological Disorders (ERN RITA). The transition of care is a significant focus, with ReCONNET centres actively addressing this through updated programs. Despite these efforts, challenges persist.

How do tumours outside the gastrointestinal tract respond to dietary fibre supplementation?

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, despite advances in treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The role of the gut microbiota in human health and disease, particularly in relation to cancer incidence and treatment response, has gained increasing attention. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary fibre, including prebiotics, can modulate the gut microbiota and influence antitumour effects.

Phosphoproteomics profiling of sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma patient-derived xenografts reveals potential therapeutic strategies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer with poor prognosis. Sorafenib, a first-line treatment for advanced HCC, has shown limited clinical benefits due to the onset of drug resistance. Thus, it is imperative to comprehend the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance and explore strategies to overcome or delay it.

Application of nanomaterials in precision treatment of lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide, characterized by high mortality rates due to its aggressive nature, metastatic potential, and drug resistance. Despite advancements in conventional therapies, their efficacy is often limited by systemic toxicity, poor tumor specificity, and the emergence of resistance mechanisms. Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising approach to address these challenges, leveraging the unique physicochemical properties of nanomaterials to enhance drug delivery, reduce off-target effects, and enable combination therapies.

Impact of pediatric tracheostomy on family caregivers' burden and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The incidence of pediatric tracheostomy is on the rise. More children are undergoing tracheostomy at a younger age and living longer and cared for at home. Caring for children with tracheostomy affects the caregivers' Quality of Life (QOL) and caregiver burden.

Short-term Assessment of Glaucoma Progression in Clinical Trials Using Trend-based Visual Field Progression Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of disease stage, frequency and clustering of visual field (VF) tests, inclusion of 1 or both eyes, and 1 (1 arm; before and after a treatment) or 2 groups (2 arms; treatment and control arm) on sample size calculation in clinical trials.

Design: Clinical cohort study.

Participants: A series of VFs were simulated based on test-retest VF data in the early, moderate, and advanced stages of glaucoma with 231, 204, and 226 eyes, respectively.

The Role of Intraarticular Injections of Hyaluronic Acid and Platelet Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Articular Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this in brief article was to determine the current role of intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of painful KOA. It has been reported that the average duration of effectiveness (pain relief) of one injection of extended-release HA is around one year. Kellgren-Lawrence grade (I-II versus III-IV), male gender, and older age are associated with a longer duration of effectiveness.

Artificial Intelligence and the State of the Art of Orthopedic Surgery.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, particularly in orthopedics, by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, surgical planning, and personalized treatment. This review explores current applications of AI in orthopedics, focusing on its contributions to diagnostics and surgical procedures. Key methodologies such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), support vector machines (SVMs), and ensemble learning have significantly improved diagnostic precision and patient care.

Multiorgan Dysfunction and its Association With Congestion and Outcome in Aortic Stenosis Treated With TAVI.

Background: Degenerative severe aortic stenosis (AS) is treated by valve replacement to improve outcome. Despite diagnostic advancements, many AS patients are still diagnosed late with advanced heart failure.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess multiorgan dysfunction in severe AS using blood biomarkers and their association with quantitative fluid levels and clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Diversity Recruitment in Cardiovascular Specialties: Barriers and Opportunities in Postgraduate Training Programs.

Background: Diversity in postgraduate training programs can be increased through program-based recruitment strategies. Prospective applicants often examine website content to determine if training programs are inclusive and offer a good fit. Poor overlap between program director recruitment goals and program website content as a barrier to recruiting a diverse physician workforce has not extensively been studied.