Suture tapes show superior biomechanical properties and greater meniscal healing compared to conventional sutures in posterior meniscal root tear repairs: A systematic review.

Purpose: This study aims to perform a systematic review to determine whether ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) tapes have superior biomechanical properties compared to conventional sutures in posterior meniscal root tear (PMRT) repairs, and whether this translates into superior clinical outcomes.

Methods: The Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, PubMed and Embase were used to perform a systematic review using the following search terms: (meniscus OR meniscal) AND (root OR posterior horn) AND (suture OR tape OR wire OR cord). Data pertaining to certain biomechanical properties (load to failure, stiffness, displacement during cyclical loading and at failure), meniscal healing and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were extracted.

Assessment of meniscal extrusion with ultrasonography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging of choice for meniscal extrusion (ME). However, they may underappreciate the load-dependent changes of the meniscus. There is growing evidence that weight-bearing ultrasound (WB US) is more suitable, particularly in revealing occult extrusion.

Centralization reduces meniscal extrusion, improves joint mechanics and functional outcomes in patients undergoing meniscus surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature on meniscal centralisation procedures, analysing its impact on meniscal extrusion, joint biomechanics and clinical and radiological outcome measures.

Methods: The Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, PubMed (MEDLINE) and Embase were used to perform a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. Biomechanical studies on healthy animal or human cadaveric knee joints that assessed meniscal extrusion or tibiofemoral contact mechanics (contact area and pressure) following centralization for meniscal pathologies were included.

Predicting the risk of pancreatic cancer in adults with new-onset diabetes: development and internal-external validation of a clinical risk prediction model.

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that people aged 60+ years with newly diagnosed diabetes and weight loss undergo abdominal imaging to assess for pancreatic cancer. More nuanced stratification could lead to enrichment of these referral pathways.

Methods: Population-based cohort study of adults aged 30-85 years at type 2 diabetes diagnosis (2010-2021) using the QResearch primary care database in England linked to secondary care data, the national cancer registry and mortality registers.

Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of vestibular schwannoma reveals functionally distinct macrophage subsets.

Background: Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) remain a challenge due to their anatomical location and propensity to growth. Macrophages are present in VS but their roles in VS pathogenesis remains unknown.

Objectives: The objective was to assess phenotypic and functional profile of macrophages in VS with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq).

Self-expanding versus balloon expandable stent for intracranial arterial stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: There are limited data regarding the comparison of balloon expandable stents (BES) and self-expanding stents (SES) for the treatment of intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to identify studies that compared SES and BES in patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. Data were extracted from relevant studies found through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until from January 1, 2010 to September 28, 2023.

The importance of pathways to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a condition caused by extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in the heart. It is an underdiagnosed disease entity which can present with a variety of cardiac and non-cardiac manifestations. Diagnosis usually follows an initial suspicion based on clinical evaluation or imaging findings before confirmation with subsequent imaging (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid scintigraphy) in combination with biochemical screening for monoclonal dyscrasia (serum free light chains and serum and urine electrophoresis) and/or histology (bone marrow trephine, fat or endomyocardial biopsy).

Fibroblasts Derived From Vestibular Schwannoma Express Protumorogenic Markers.

Background And Aim: Vestibular schwannomas (VSs), despite being histologically benign, cause significant morbidity because of their challenging intracranial location and the propensity for growth. The role of the stroma and particularly fibroblasts, in the progression of VS, is not completely understood. This study examines the profile of fibroblasts in VS.

Pertussis immunisation strategies to optimise infant pertussis control: A narrative systematic review.

Objective: Countries routinely offering acellular pertussis vaccine, where long-term protection is not sustained, have the challenge of selecting an optimal schedule to minimise disease among young infants. We conducted a narrative systematic review and synthesis of information to evaluate different pertussis immunisation strategies at controlling pertussis disease, hospitalisation, deaths, and vaccine effectiveness among young infants.

Methods: We conducted a review of the literature on studies about the primary, booster, and/or maternal vaccination series and synthesised findings narratively.

Learning Curves of Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy in Experienced Pancreatic Centers.

Importance: Understanding the learning curve of a new complex surgical technique helps to reduce potential patient harm. Current series on the learning curve of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) are mostly small, single-center series, thus providing limited data.

Objective: To evaluate the length of pooled learning curves of MIDP in experienced centers.

Mechanical thrombectomy with intra-arterial thrombolysis versus mechanical thrombectomy alone in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is conflicting evidence as to whether intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) adds benefit in patients with acute stroke who undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to identify studies that evaluate IAT in patients with acute stroke who undergo MT. Data were extracted from relevant studies found through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until February 2023.

Results of the Eighth Scientific Workshop of ECCO: Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Postoperative Crohn's Disease Recurrence after an Ileocolonic Resection.

Postoperative recurrence [POR] after an ileocolonic resection with ileocolonic anastomosis is frequently encountered in patients with Crohn's disease. The 8th Scientific Workshop of ECCO reviewed the available evidence on the pathophysiology and risk factors for POR. In this paper, we discuss published data on the role of the microbiome, the mesentery, the immune system and the genetic background.

Who are the 10%? - Non eligibility of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients for highly effective modulator therapies.

Background: The availability of mutation-specific cystic fibrosis modulator therapies has the potential to improve the lives of children and adults with cystic fibrosis. The frequency of mutations causing defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function varies between sub-groups in multi-ethnic populations. The profile of patients eligible for CFTR modulator ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor (Kaftrio™) therapy based on ethnicity has not been reported in the United Kingdom CF population.

Do you know when the inhaler is empty?

Background: Medication review is recommended at asthma appointments. The presence of propellant in the metered dose inhalers (MDIs) makes it challenging to identify when the inhaler is empty. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in move towards more virtual monitoring of care.

Widening access to the specialised foundation programme.

The specialised foundation programme, previously known as the academic foundation programme, is an alternate foundation training pathway for doctors that are interested in research, medical education and leadership. The programme is highly competitive, with competition ratios rising to 1:5 in some units of application. A series of courses is held each year out of goodwill to assist students with the application process, but little has been published with respect to evidence-based approaches to both the application process and interviews.

Comparison of Colorectal Cancer Surgery Services During COVID-19 First Wave With Pre-COVID Time.

Introduction The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom (UK) was reported on 29 January 2020. The country saw the peak of infection between March and May of 2020. The result was a change in the practice of how we treat most surgical conditions including cancer.

End-stage kidney disease patients from ethnic minorities and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) adversely affects patients who are older, multimorbid, and from Black, Asian or minority ethnicities (BAME). We assessed whether being from BAME is independently associated with mortality in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Prospective observational study in a single UK renal center.

A randomised controlled trial to examine the effects of cinacalcet on bone and cardiovascular parameters in haemodialysis patients with advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism may lead to increased cardiovascular risk. The use of cinacalcet may improve bone and cardiovascular health with improved parathormone (PTH) and phosphate control.

Methods: This is an open-label prospective randomised controlled trial to compare progression of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) parameters.

Perineal hernia repair after abdominoperineal rectal excision with prosthetic mesh-a single surgeon experience.

Aim: Extralevator abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer is associated with an increased incidence of perineal hernia. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical outcome following perineal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh by a perineal open approach.

Methods: We present a case series of 10 patients who underwent 12 repairs of their hernia using a prosthetic mesh placed by a perineal open technique.

Clinical Outcomes After Total Pancreatectomy: A Prospective Multicenter Pan-European Snapshot Study.

Objective: To assess outcomes among patients undergoing total pancreatectomy (TP) including predictors for complications and in-hospital mortality.

Background: Current studies on TP mostly originate from high-volume centers and span long time periods and therefore may not reflect daily practice.

Methods: This prospective pan-European snapshot study included patients who underwent elective (primary or completion) TP in 43 centers in 16 European countries (June 2018-June 2019).

Chemotherapy for Uterine Carcinosarcoma with Carboplatin, Ifosfamide and Mesna.

Background/aim: Uterine carcinosarcomas (UCSs) are highly aggressive, rare, biphasic tumors composed of epithelial and mesenchymal elements. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in early-stage disease. Adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy improves locoregional control without proven overall survival (OS) benefit.

Comparison of inter subject variability and reproducibility of whole brain proton spectroscopy.

The aim of these studies was to provide reference data on intersubject variability and reproducibility of metabolite ratios for Choline/Creatine (Cho/Cr), N-acetyl aspartate/Choline (NAA/Cho) and N-acetyl aspartate/Creatine (NAA/Cr), and individual signal-intensity normalised metabolite concentrations of NAA, Cho and Cr. Healthy volunteers underwent imaging on two occasions using the same 3T Siemens Verio magnetic resonance scanner. At each session two identical Metabolic Imaging and Data Acquisition Software (MIDAS) sequences were obtained along with standard structural imaging.

Chemotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer with carboplatin and epirubicin.

Unlabelled: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in the Western world. In early-stage disease, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. Adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy reduces the risk of pelvic recurrence, however, without improvement in overall survival.

Rhinotillexomania: a rare cause of medial orbital wall erosion.

The authors report a rare case of medial orbital wall erosion with an orbital inflammatory mass and resultant lacrimal obstruction secondary to rhinotillexomania. A 67-year-old male with known history of compulsive nose picking (rhinotillexomania) sought treatment for complaints of watering in his OD. Examination revealed a blocked right inferior canaliculus.