Oncological and Clinical Impacts of Routine Splenic Flexure Mobilization in Anterior Resection.

Background Splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is widely regarded as one of the most challenging steps in laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery, sparking ongoing debate. Some surgeons routinely advocate for SFM, citing its role in achieving greater left colonic reach, which facilitates a safe, tension-free, and well-vascularized anastomosis while adhering to oncological principles. Conversely, others argue that SFM does not consistently ensure these benefits and may increase the risk of complications, including splenic, bowel, or vascular injuries, as well as unnecessarily prolonging the procedure.

Surgical Versus Conservative Management of Delayed Presentation of Acute Biliary Disease: A Systematic Literature Review.

Biliary sepsis, characterized by contamination and infection of the biliary tract, poses a serious medical issue with detrimental effects on the patients. While cholecystectomy is the usual treatment for symptomatic gallstones, the most desirable management approach for biliary sepsis remains debated, prompting a scientific evaluation of the long-term effects of cholecystectomy. To compare the long-term outcomes of biliary sepsis in patients undergoing cholecystectomy versus conservative management (CM), this study will systematically review the existing literature to clarify differences in recurrence rates, complication rates, and overall survival.

Stearic acid-capped mesoporous silica microparticles as novel needle-like-structured drug delivery carriers.

Mesoporous silica are widely utilised as drug carriers due to their large pore volume and surface area, which facilitate effective loading. Additionally, they can be used to enhance drugs stability and protect against enzymatic degradation due to their silica framework. However, without the addition of a capping material, the loaded cargo may be prematurely released before reaching the target site.

Risk of mortality between warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants: population-based cohort studies.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been reported to be associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with an older alternative, warfarin using primary care data in the United Kingdom (UK). However, other studies observed contradictory findings. We therefore aimed to investigate the association between mortality and warfarin, compared with DOACs.

Blood flow dynamics in the arterial and venous parts of the capillary.

Although there is currently sufficient information on various parameters of capillary blood flow, including the average values of blood velocity, there is no data on the dynamics of velocity and the mechanisms of its modulation in various parts of the capillary. The main idea of this work is to develop a tool and image data processing to study the characteristics of the capillary blood flow dynamics. In this study, using the developed method of high-speed videocapillaroscopy, the red blood cells (RBC) velocities in the arterial and venous parts of the nailfold capillaries were compared and a time-frequency analysis of the dynamics of the velocity signals with the calculation of phase coherence was performed.

Increased light scatter in simulated cataracts degrades speed perception.

Changes in contrast and blur affect speed perception, raising the question of whether natural changes in the eye (e.g., cataract) that induce light scatter may affect motion perception.

Interventions for improving treatment adherence in young people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): A systematic review of behaviour change theory and behaviour change techniques.

Treatment adherence is important but challenging for young people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Behavioural interventions may support adherence, leading to improved condition management. This review aimed to evaluate interventions designed to improve treatment adherence in young people (aged 13-18) with IBD and identify their use of behaviour change theory and behaviour change techniques (BCTs).

Evaluation of effect of cooled haemodialysis on cognition in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ECHECKED) feasibility randomised controlled trial results.

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in haemodialysis patients with no known beneficial interventions. Cooler dialysate slows brain white-matter changes, but its effect on cognition is unknown. This feasibility trial was performed to inform a fully-powered, randomised trial to assess this.

Altered metabolic function induced by Aβ-oligomers and PSEN1 mutations in iPSC-derived astrocytes.

Altered energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major pathological hallmark implicated in the early stages of the disease process. Astrocytes play a central role in brain homeostasis and are implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Although numerous studies have investigated global changes in brain metabolism, redox status, gene expression and epigenetic markers in AD, the intricate interplay between different metabolic processes, particularly in astrocytes, remains poorly understood.

Low vs. conventional intra-abdominal pressure in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Low intraabdominal pressure (IAP) during laparoscopy is associated with improved post-operative outcomes across a variety of surgical specialties. A prospective cohort study was undertaken to assess post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) with low (8mmHg) versus conventional (15mmHg) IAP.

Methods: A prospective real-world observational study of patients undergoing LCRS in a single-centre, between June 2020 and June 2023 was performed.

Legislative rebellions and impeachments in a neural network society.

Inspired by studies of legislative-executive conflict in modern presidential democracies in South America, we present an agent-based statistical mechanics exploration of the collective, coordinated action of strategic political actors in the legislative chamber and the conditions that may result in premature changes in the executive officeholder, such as a president's impeachment or a motion of no confidence in a prime minister. The legislative actors are represented by information processing agents equipped with a neural network, and emit opinions about issues in the presidential agenda. We construct a Hamiltonian which is the sum of the costs for the agents to hold a specific set of political positions.

Small molecule protein assembly modulators with pan-cancer therapeutic efficacy.

Two structurally unrelated small molecule chemotypes, represented by compounds PAV-617 and PAV-951, with antiviral activity in cell culture against Mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox virus) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) respectively, were studied for anti-cancer efficacy. Each exhibited apparent pan-cancer cytotoxicity with reasonable pharmacokinetics. Non-toxicity is demonstrated in a non-cancer cell line and in mice at doses achieving drug exposure at active concentrations.

The Professional Identity of STEM Faculty as Instructors of Course-based Research Experiences.

The professional identity of scientists has historically been cultivated to value research over teaching, which can undermine initiatives that aim to reform science education. Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE) and the inclusive Research and Education Communities (iREC) are two successful and impactful reform efforts that integrate research and teaching. The aim of this study is to explicate the professional identity of instructors who implement a CRE within an established iREC and to explore how this identity contributes to the success of these programs.

Lithium Use During Pregnancy in 14 Countries.

Importance: In pregnancy, the benefits of lithium treatment for relapse prevention in psychiatric conditions must be weighed against potential teratogenic effects. Currently, there is a paucity of information on how and when lithium is used by pregnant women.

Objective: To examine lithium use in the perinatal period.

Development and evaluation of ocular antibiotic-loaded soluble film inserts.

Antibiotic eyedrops typically require frequent instillation due to the eye's defensive mechanisms limiting drugs from reaching target sites. This may risk patient non-adherence and treatment inefficacy. The aim of this study was to develop a biocompatible and fully soluble ocular film insert to enhance the delivery of levofloxacin, as well as the handling procedure for its administration; based on the anatomical dimensions and physiological conditions of the human eye.

Evaluation of deprescribing services in frail patients: a systematic review.

Background: Deprescribing, a process of dose reduction or withdrawal of inappropriate medication that no longer has benefit, is a proposed intervention in the care of older adults living with frailty.

Objective/aim: To evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and clinical impact of deprescribing services in frail patients.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in November 2023 using Scopus, CINAHL PLUS (EBSCO), MEDLINE (OVID and EMBASE), and Cochrane Library.

Digital eye strain and clinical correlates in older adults.

Purpose: To evaluate the screen time habits, associated symptoms and clinical characteristics of an older population (60 years and older) drawn from primary care optometry.

Methods: Consecutive patients aged 60 years and older, who used a digital device for at least 1 hour per day, attending for an eye examination at a primary care optometric practice in Dublin, Ireland, were invited to participate. The study gathered information regarding the participant's use of digital devices, the types of devices used and duration of use.

Randomized clinical trial: MGrx versus standard debridement and expression for meibomian gland dysfunction.

Significance: Evaporative dry eye disease, due to meibomian gland dysfunction, causes significant suffering for millions of people globally, yet satisfactory long-term treatment remains elusive for many. Investigation of potential therapies for meibomian gland dysfunction is therefore of high importance to clinicians and their patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a new device for meibomian gland debridement and expression to that of the conventional way of providing this treatment.

Post-traumatic Dupuytren's contracture in a paediatric patient: a case report and literature review.

Dupuytren's disease is rare in children. We present the case of a 14-year-old boy who developed post-traumatic Dupuytren's contracture, which was treated by segmental fasciectomy. The disease was histologically confirmed.

The effects of isolated game elements on adherence rates in food response inhibition training.

Food response inhibition training (food-RIT) is found to aid weight loss and reduce snacking of foods high in sugar, salt and fat. However, these interventions suffer from a lack of adherence, with gamification proposed as a solution to increase engagement. The effect of gamification is unclear, however, with a lack of research investigating the effects of single game elements in improving adherence to interventions.

Managing preschool wheeze: a qualitative study of parents' views and experiences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore parents' views and experiences of managing preschool wheeze, including opinions on the use of investigations to inform treatment pathways.

Design: Purposive sampling was used to recruit 16 participants from 14 families across England and Wales. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews with parents of children aged 1-5 years with preschool wheeze, conducted on Microsoft (MS) Teams.

Diurnal variation of visual functions for driving with and without orthokeratology: A multicenter study.

Purpose: To investigate orthokeratology-related diurnal variations in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, mesopic (twilight) vision, and glare sensitivity, and to verify compliance with requirements for driver licensing.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, controlled study, fifty myopic (range, -1.00 to -4.

Neuropathy with anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies: update on diagnosis, pathophysiology and management.

Antimyelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy is a rare autoimmune demyelinating peripheral neuropathy caused by IgM autoantibodies targeting MAG. The typical presentation is that of a slowly progressive, distal, length-dependent, predominantly sensory, sometimes ataxic neuropathy, frequently accompanied by upper limb tremor. Distal motor weakness may subsequently occur.