Could an integrated model of health and social care after critical illness reduce socioeconomic disparities in outcomes? A Bayesian analysis.

Background: There is limited evidence to understand what impact, if any, recovery services might have for patients across the socioeconomic spectrum after critical illness. We analysed data from a multicentre critical care recovery programme to understand the impact of this programme across the socioeconomic spectrum.

Methods: The setting for this pre-planned secondary analysis was a critical care rehabilitation programme-Intensive Care Syndrome: Promoting Independence and Return to Employment.

Can sub-cutaneous drain safely counter debilitating surgical emphysema? A retrospective study in quest for an answer.

Literature evidence on sub-cutaneous drain insertion in severe surgical emphysema (SE) is lacking. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes of 5 patients who underwent insertion of sub-cutaneous drains to manage SE of various aetiologies between September 2022 to August 2023 in a single district general hospital in the UK. Case history, outcome following sub-cutaneous drain insertion, and side effects due to the procedure were collected.

Genome-wide association study of antisocial personality disorder diagnostic criteria provides evidence for shared risk factors across disorders.

Introduction: While progress has been made in determining the genetic basis of antisocial behaviour, little progress has been made for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), a condition that often co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions including substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders. This study aims to improve the understanding of the genetic risk for ASPD and its relationship with other disorders and traits.

Methods: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the number of ASPD diagnostic criteria data from 3217 alcohol-dependent participants recruited in the UK (UCL, N = 644) and the USA (Yale-Penn, N = 2573).

Dapagliflozin vs. metolazone in heart failure resistant to loop diuretics.

Background And Aims: To examine the decongestive effect of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin compared to the thiazide-like diuretic metolazone in patients hospitalized for heart failure and resistant to treatment with intravenous furosemide.

Methods And Results: A multi-centre, open-label, randomized, and active-comparator trial. Patients were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily or metolazone 5-10 mg once daily for a 3-day treatment period, with follow-up for primary and secondary endpoints until day 5 (96 h).

The British Orthopaedic Surgery Surveillance study: Perthes' disease: the epidemiology and two-year outcomes from a prospective cohort in Great Britain.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of Perthes' disease of the hip.

Methods: This was an anonymized comprehensive cohort study of Perthes' disease, with a nested consented cohort. A total of 143 of 144 hospitals treating children's hip disease in the UK participated over an 18-month period.

COVID-19: Effect on gastroenterology and hepatology service provision and training: Lessons learnt and planning for the future.

In late 2019, reports arose of a new respiratory disease in China, identified as a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The World Health Organisation named the disease caused by the virus 'coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)'. It was declared a pandemic in early 2020, after the disease rapidly spread across the world.

Remote Monitoring of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices in Canada: Survey of Patients and Device Health Care Professionals.

Background: Remote monitoring is used to supplement in-clinic follow-up for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) every 6-12 months. There is a need to optimize remote management for CIEDs because of the consistent increases in CIED implants over the past decade. The objective of this study was to investigate real and perceived barriers to the use of remote patient management strategies in Canada and to better understand how remote models of care can be optimized.

Laryngeal Mask Airway for Surfactant Administration Versus Standard Treatment Methods in Preterm Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has emerged as an alternative surfactant delivery method. The effectiveness of this method for the delivery of surfactant is uncertain. A meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing LMA with standard methods of surfactant delivery for the outcomes of surfactant dose repetition, oxygen requirement, mechanical ventilation, intubation, mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and pneumothorax.

The influence of regression models on genome-wide association studies of alcohol dependence: a comparison of binary and quantitative analyses.

Introduction: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) offer a platform to detect genetic risk loci. However, the majority of the ADS GWAS undertaken, to date, have utilized a case-control design and have failed to identify consistently replicable loci with the exception of protective variants within the alcohol metabolizing genes, notably ADH1B. The ADS phenotype shows considerable variability which means that the use of quantitative variables as a proxy for the severity of ADS has the potential to facilitate identification of risk loci by increasing statistical power.

Are thromboelastometric and thromboelastographic parameters associated with mortality in septic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Thromboelastometry/elastography (ROTEM/TEG) showed promising results for diagnosis of sepsis-induced coagulopathy, but their association with the outcome is unclear. Our aim was to assess any difference in ROTEM/TEG measurements between septic survivors and non-survivors.

Methods: Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were investigated.

Predictive parameters of difficult intubation in thyroid surgery: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Airway management is a fundamental goal for the anesthesiologist. The rate of difficult laryngoscopy in patients undergoing thyroid surgery ranges from 6.8% to 9.

Development of a French Version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised: A Pilot Study of Palliative Care Patients' Perspectives.

Background: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised (ESAS-r) is a nine-item self-report symptom intensity tool developed for palliative care patients, with the option of adding a 10th patient-specific symptom. Due to growing international uptake, the ESAS-r has been translated into different languages. There has not been agreement, however, regarding a standard process for translation into multiple languages, which also includes patients' perspectives.

Revision of sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Canadian experience.

Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can be associated with inadequate weight loss, insufficient resolution of co-morbidities and severe reflux. Conversion to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) is a potential solution. The aim of this study was to determine the common indications for conversion from SG to RYGB at our centre, and evaluate patient outcomes with respect to weight loss and co-morbidity resolution.

Three-Dimensional and Conventional Carotid Ultrasound for Assessment of Carotid Plaque in a Stroke Patient: A Simple Way to Validate Findings.

Single-sweep automated 3-D ultrasound is a new imaging modality for the assessment of carotid plaque. Its most important application is the measurement of the plaque volume. To our knowledge, to date there is not a widely accepted "gold standard" to validate 3-D plaque volume measurement.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of Video Capsule Endoscopy.

Background & Aims: Video capsule endoscopy (CE) provides a noninvasive option to assess the small intestine, but its use with respect to endoscopic procedures and cross-sectional imaging varies widely. The aim of this consensus was to provide guidance on the appropriate use of CE in clinical practice.

Methods: A systematic literature search identified studies on the use of CE in patients with Crohn's disease, celiac disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and anemia.

Management of paediatric splenic injury in the New South Wales trauma system.

Unlabelled: Since the 1980's, paediatric surgeons have increasingly managed blunt splenic injury (BSI) in children non-operatively. However, studies in North America have shown higher operation rates in non-paediatric centres and by adult surgeons. This association has not been examined elsewhere.

Paediatric lymphoedema: A retrospective chart review of 86 cases.

Aim: To define the clinical characteristics, investigations, management and outcomes of lymphoedema in a paediatric cohort.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of children with lymphoedema seen at two tertiary paediatric hospitals since 1998. Telephone interviews with parents were performed when information was missing.

Intragastric Balloon for Management of Severe Obesity: a Systematic Review.

Older models of intragastric balloons (IGBs) had unacceptably high complication rates and inconsequential weight loss. With FDA approval of newer models, we aimed to systematically examine the literature regarding the efficacy of IGB therapy for obesity. A comprehensive electronic database search was completed.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Open vs. Laparoscopic Resection of Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract, and surgical resection is the primary treatment of early disease. Limited data exist concerning laparoscopic resections of these neoplasms. This systematic review was designed to evaluate the literature comparing laparoscopic and open surgical resection of gastric GISTs and to assess the effectiveness and safety of this minimally invasive technique.