An Empirical Evaluation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with Survivors of a Natural Disaster

Controlled studies of treatments effective with victims of natural disasters are almost nonexistent. This is a small study conducted under difficult conditions to test the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in treating trauma related reactions following Hurricane Andrew. The results were positive in that EMDR produced significant improvement over wail list controls in perceived posttraumatic avoidance behaviors and thoughts as measured by changes in the Impact of Event Scale and significant improvement in subjective aversive reactions to representative experiences of the hurricane. These results suggest and support other studies that EMDR can be an effective therapeutic intervention for trauma reactions.     

Development of the Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Conscious Sedation and Pain Control) Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney

The Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Conscious Sedation and Pain Control) of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney, is the first dedicated programme devoted to this field in Australia. Its development followed a decision by the Dental Board of New South Wales to require a formal qualification from the University of Sydney before dental practitioners could offer sedation and pain management in practice.
The programme is conducted at Westmead Hospital in conjunction with the Department of Anaesthetics, and satisfies the guidelines developed by the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
The course is conducted either over one or two years, with block sessions requiring attendance at Westmead Hospital, together with assignments which are completed outside the block sessions. In this way, a dental practitioner enrolled in the programme is able to continue practice.
The block sessions need not be completed over one year, but must be completed within two years.     

The value of endocervical curettage in the management of the patient with abnormal cervical cytologic findings

Patients with adequate colposcopic examinations and dysplasia on the endocervical curettage specimen usually undergo further diagnostic evaluation. This study evaluated 712 patients and found the frequency of positive endocervical curettage specimens to be 17.6%. Cervical conization or hysterectomy specimens were examined in 66 cases with a positive endocervical curettage. Of these, 69.7% had histologic evidence of discontinuous dysplasia in the endocervical canal. The endocervical curettage specimens were grouped by the percentage of endocervical epithelium that was dysplastic: group 1, less than 10%; group 2, 10% to 50%; group 3, greater than 50%. Confirmed histologic endocervical involvement was 80%, 56%, and 60%, respectively. The involvement of the endocervical canal also increased with increasing grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Of the 66 cases examined with positive endocervical curettage specimens, 62.1% had grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia on the ectocervix. Seven patients had positive endocervical margins, with six of these occurring in grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesions. Two unsuspected cases of cervical malignancy were identified by endocervical curettage.     

COVID-19 therapeutics: Challenges and directions for the future

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 triggering the COVID-19 pandemic ranks as arguably the greatest medical emergency of the last century. COVID-19 has highlighted health disparities both within and between countries and will leave a lasting impact on global society. Nonetheless, substantial investment in life sciences over recent decades has facilitated a rapid scientific response with innovations in viral characterization, testing, and sequencing. Perhaps most remarkably, this permitted the development of highly effective vaccines, which are being distributed globally at unprecedented speed. In contrast, drug treatments for the established disease have delivered limited benefits so far. Innovative and rapid approaches in the design and execution of large-scale clinical trials and repurposing of existing drugs have saved many lives; however, many more remain at risk. In this review we describe challenges and unmet needs, discuss existing therapeutics, and address future opportunities. Consideration is given to factors that have hindered drug development in order to support planning for the next pandemic challenge and to allow rapid and cost-effective development of new therapeutics with equitable delivery.     

The Role of Serum TGF-β Isoforms as Potential Markers of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) that presently has no biochemical test useful for its diagnosis. The cytokine TGF-β has been postulated to play a role in controlling bone density by regulating the fine balance between bone matrix deposition by osteoblasts and its resorption by osteoclasts. We explored whether measurement of serum levels of different TGF-β isoforms could be useful as a clinical tool in osteoporosis. We measured the concentration of TGF-β1 antigen using the BDA19 capture sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), TGF-β2 antigen concentration using a Quantikine sandwich ELISA kit and TGF-β3 antigen concentration using a modified version of the TGF-β1 Quantikine sandwich ELISA kit. Subjects were 41 women with osteoporosis (with nontraumatic vertebral fracture or lumbar spine BMD Z-score <−1.5 SD) and a total of 199 control women from different sources. Serum concentrations of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were similar in all groups. However, detectable levels of TGF-β3 (>0.2 ng/ml) were found in 35 of 41 patients with osteoporosis (median 7.2 (5.2–8.9) ng/ml) compared with 11 of 36 controls or 24 of 89 healthy women of unknown bone density. Differences among the groups could not be accounted for by age, weight, medications, use of hormone replacement therapy or the presence of osteoarthritis. Using the optimal cut-off of ≥2 ng/ml, the test was able to detect an individual with low spine BMD (Z-score <−1.5) with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 53%, with similar results for the femoral neck. The odds ratio for osteoporosis associated with a positive test at this level was 5.93 (95% CI 2.41–11.59), and 4.1 (95% CI 1.66–10.11) using the WHO cut-off of T-score <−2.5. Serum TGF-β3 concentration is raised in osteoporotic women and the test appears to have potential as a marker for osteoporosis. The underlying mechanisms and the relationships between TGF-β3 and bone turnover and fractures remain to be explored. Received: 4 April 1998 / Accepted: 21 September 1998     

The incidence and relevance of prostate cancer in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens

Purpose

To review the incidence, histopathological features and clinical outcomes of patients with incidental prostate cancer (CaP) found in cystoprostatectomy specimens (CP) excised for bladder cancer and to determine whether these prostate cancers could affect the follow-up strategy.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 110 patients who underwent CP for bladder cancer (1998?C2011) at our institution. CaP grade, stage, volume and surgical margin status were recorded. Prostatic involvement by bladder tumour or carcinoma in situ (CIS) was studied. Pre-operative prostate assessment and follow-up in those diagnosed with incidental CaP were analysed.

Results

Incidental CaP was identified in 35 patients (32.5?%), 4 with prostatic PIN alone and 2 patients with diagnoses of CaP prior to cystectomy were excluded from study. Of the CaP cases, 28.5?% had clinically significant disease: 5 with Gleason score 7, 2 with Gleason score 9, who also had extracapsular invasion of tumour, and three with positive surgical margins. All patients were pN0 for CaP. Of the 108 patients, 16.5?% had prostatic urethral involvement with CIS or TCC. In the subgroup of patients with the incidentally diagnosed CaP who developed local recurrence of bladder tumour and/or metastatic disease, none originated from their CaP.

Conclusion

The majority of incidental CaP in CP specimens are organ confined and do not influence oncological outcome. The prognosis of such patients is primarily determined by bladder cancer. Our findings support previous reports and autopsy studies elsewhere.     

Indications for Tonsillectomy: Are We Documenting Them?

INTRODUCTION

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed operations in the UK. Documentation of the indications for tonsillectomy is vital, and should fulfil evidence-based guidelines where possible. We present a completed audit, evaluating the documentation of our department''s practice in meeting the recommendations made by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) on indications for tonsillectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective audit of 100 children undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis at a university hospital during two time periods: October 2007 to January 2008 and March to September 2008. Interventions including the production of posters and rubber stamps were agreed and implemented between the two audit periods.

RESULTS

Following the implementation of simple changes, significant improvements were seen in documentation relating to the SIGN guidelines for tonsillectomy. Overall, the number of children meeting all four SIGN criteria for tonsillectomy rose from 12% to 44% (χ² = 57.8; P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant reduction was seen in the number of children below the age of 5 years undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis (χ² = 14.66; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

With increasing scrutiny on tonsillectomy, it is important to ensure that the reasons for performing tonsillectomy are documented clearly and adhere to evidence-based guidance where possible. We have demonstrated that, with only simple and low-cost interventions, significant improvements in the documentation of tonsillectomy indications can be achieved.