Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with reduced response and lower treatment persistence with TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the association between socioeconomic deprivation and outcomes following TNF inhibitor (TNFi) treatment.

Methods: Individuals commencing their first TNFi in the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register for RA (BSRBR-RA) and Biologics in RA Genetics and Genomics Study Syndicate (BRAGGSS) cohort were included. Socioeconomic deprivation was proxied using the Index of Multiple Deprivation and categorized as 20% most deprived, middle 40% or 40% least deprived.

Parathyroidectomy for adults with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone, is most common in older adults and postmenopausal women. While most people with PHPT are asymptomatic at diagnosis, symptomatic disease can lead to hypercalcaemia, osteoporosis, renal stones, cardiovascular abnormalities and reduced quality of life. Surgical removal of abnormal parathyroid tissue (parathyroidectomy) is the only established treatment for adults with symptomatic PHPT to prevent exacerbation of symptoms and to be cured of PHPT.

Identifying the bridge between depression and mania: A machine learning and network approach to bipolar disorder.

Objectives: Although the cyclic nature of bipolarity is almost by definition a network system, no research to date has attempted to scrutinize the relationship of the two bipolar poles using network psychometrics. We used state-of-the-art network and machine learning methodologies to identify symptoms, as well as relations thereof, that bridge depression and mania.

Methods: Observational study that used mental health data (12 symptoms for depression and 12 for mania) from a large, representative Canadian sample (the Canadian Community Health Survey of 2002).

Has Lockdown and COVID-19 Led to a Change in the Characteristics of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Patients Who Are Afflicted With It?

Background: There is growing evidence identifying coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a significant risk factor for thrombosis in inpatients. However, it remains uncertain if patients in the community have been influenced during the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown. This study, across four centres in the United Kingdom (UK), reviewed outpatients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Teaching empathy to medical students.

Background: Empathy is a core skill essential to patient-centred care. Yet a decline in empathy throughout undergraduate medical education is well recognised. The mainstay of existing teaching approaches to foster medical students' empathic ability has largely focused on the cognitive domain of empathy within the context of communication skills learning.

Adult Stem Cells for Cartilage Regeneration.

As cartilage is an avascular, aneural structure, it has very low capabilities of self-repair. Osteoarthritis prevalence is increasing, and there are no clinically approved management techniques that can cure the degradation of cartilage. This report investigates the efficacy of different sources of cells to generate articular cartilage.

Auditory symptoms and autistic spectrum disorder: A scoping review and recommendations for future research.

Introduction: Auditory symptoms in individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are well described within the neurodevelopmental literature, yet there is minimal mention of ASD in Otolaryngology literature. This is surprising considering the potential clinical and diagnostic implications of this link, and the potential for ASD to present to Otolaryngologists in the form of unexplained auditory symptoms. The aims of this literature review were to explore the intersection of auditory symptoms and ASD from the perspective of clinical Otolaryngology, and to outline a clinically focused research agenda based on emerging themes relevant to Otolaryngology.

The interface of paediatric ENT and autism spectrum disorder: a complex conundrum for otolaryngologists.

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition encompassing complex physical and neurological symptoms, including complex sensory symptoms. This review explores the interface between autism spectrum disorder and paediatric ENT.

Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses ('PRISMA') guideline, a robust literature search and review was conducted by two researchers.

How does hip and knee arthroplasty affect golfer performance and what should be expected regarding return to play?

Aims: Hip and knee arthroplasty is commonly performed for end-stage arthritis. There is limited information to guide golfers on the impact this procedure will have postoperatively. This study aimed to determine the impact of lower limb arthroplasty on amateur golfer performance and return to play.

Current Progress in Vascular Engineering and Its Clinical Applications.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is widely used for the treatment of severe CHD cases. Although autologous vessels are a preferred choice, healthy autologous vessels are not always available; hence there is a demand for tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to be used as alternatives.

The Fate of Nonoperative Management in Patients with Lytic Spondylolisthesis.

Background:  There is a lack of consensus within the current literature about the role of nonoperative management in lytic spondylolisthesis. Our objective was to assess the fate that nonoperative management plays in patients diagnosed with lytic spondylolisthesis.

Methods:  Data were collected between May 2015 and February 2020 from 41 patients who were initially referred specifically for instrumented lumbar fixation but were instead planned for nonoperative management as they opted to avoid surgery.

A Systematic Review on the Incidence of Stent Migration in the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Iliofemoral Disease Using Dedicated Venous Stents.

Objectives: This systematic review investigated the incidence of stent migration in patients with acute and chronic deep venous iliofemoral disease who were treated with dedicated venous stents. Procedural approaches, clinical and stent patency outcomes, and other complications are described.

Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched for literature published from January, 2012 to December, 2021.

Are the recommendations in coronial prevention of future death (PFD) reports realistic and achievable?

Prevention is better than cure. Coroners are not often thought to have a role in prevention, even though they have a duty to produce prevention of future death reports. Such reports are supposed to stimulate changes to prevent further deaths from recognised problems, but we speculated that they do not achieve their purpose.

The impact of obesity and bariatric surgery on the immune microenvironment of the endometrium.

Background: The incidence of endometrial cancer is rising in parallel with the obesity epidemic. Obesity increases endometrial cancer risk and weight loss is protective, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. We hypothesise that the immune microenvironment may influence susceptibility to malignant transformation in the endometrium.

Co-creating scholarship through collaborative writing in health professions education: AMEE Guide No. 143.

This AMEE guide provides a robust framework and practical strategies for health professions educators to enhance their writing skills and engage in successful scholarship within a collaborative writing team. Whether scholarly output involves peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, blogs and online posts, online educational resources, collaborative writing requires more than the usual core writing skills, it requires teamwork, leadership and followership, negotiation, and conflict resolution, mentoring and more. Whilst educators can attend workshops or courses to enhance their writing skills, there may be fewer opportunities to join a community of scholars and engage in successful collaborative writing.

Reconstruction of an inferior vena cava stent occlusion using double-barrel stenting in a patient with Behçet's disease.

Symptomatic inferior vena cava (IVC) and iliac vein thrombosis is increasingly being treated with thrombolysis, thrombus retrieval and deep venous stenting. If the IVC stent occludes, endovenous intervention is indicated to restore patency. An 18-year-old male with Behçet's disease presented with deep vein thrombosis (extending from the IVC to the popliteal segments bilaterally) which was initially treated with thrombolysis and stenting.

Topical timolol in dermatology: infantile haemangiomas and beyond.

Timolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor blocker, is well-tolerated and is becoming increasingly popular in dermatology, especially in the management of infantile haemangioma (IH). Its effects are mainly due to vasoconstriction, inhibition of angiogenesis and keratinocyte migration promotion for re-epithelialization and wound healing. We review the evidence behind the use of timolol in several dermatological conditions including IH, pyogenic granulomas, Kaposi sarcoma, chronic wound healing, postsurgical wounds, acne vulgaris, rosacea, eczema and red scrotum syndrome.

Ganglion cyst at the proximal tibiofibular joint - A rare cause of compression neuropathy of the peroneal nerve.

Ganglion cysts are fluid filled sacs which develop near joints and tendons and are usually asymptomatic. Lower limb ganglion cysts are rare occurrences especially those situated around joint spaces causing nerve compression. We present the case of a 68 year-old female with history of progressive swelling in the left antero-lateral leg, associated with pain, and neurological symptoms of peroneal nerve compression.