Farmerrichard1928

The independent effects of smoking and alcohol in head and neck cancer are not clear, given the strong association between these risk factors. Their apparent synergistic effect reported in previous observational studies may also underestimate independent effects. buy MitoQ Here we report multivariable Mendelian randomization performed in a two-sample approach using summary data on 6,034 oral/oropharyngeal cases and 6,585 controls from a recent genome-wide association study. Our results demonstrate strong evidence for an independent causal effect of smoking on oral/oropharyngeal cancer (IVW OR 2.6, 95% CI = 1.7, 3.9 per standard deviation increase in lifetime smoking behaviour) and an independent causal effect of alcohol consumption when controlling for smoking (IVW OR 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1, 3.8 per standard deviation increase in drinks consumed per week). This suggests the possibility that the causal effect of alcohol may have been underestimated. However, the extent to which alcohol is modified by smoking requires further investigation.BACKGROUND Trapezoidal changes of the vertebral body are more common in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis than in others. However, we lack an understanding of factors predisposing to the development of a marked trapezoidal deformity. Also, no associations between a trapezoidal vertebrae (TV) and spine-pelvis sagittal parameters have been previously reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 73 subjects with lumbar spondylolisthesis were enrolled and we collected their clinical data. Vertebral body parameters and spine-pelvis sagittal alignment parameters were measured via lumbar spine X-ray. Using the lumbar index (LI), patients were divided into a TV group (LI >0.8, n=24) and a control group (LI >0.8, n=49). The clinical data and spine-pelvic sagittal parameters of the 2 groups were compared using the t test or chi-squared test. Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to determine relationships among the parameters. RESULTS The TV and control groups differed significantly in terms of the slipped segment, extent of slippage, intervertebral disc height (IDH), and sagittal parameters (all P less then 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis showed that the slipped segment (r=-0.606), extent of slippage (r=-0.660), and IDH (r=0.698) were risk factors for the development of a TV body. Also, vertebral trapezoidal deformation was closely associated with sagittal parameters. CONCLUSIONS The vertebral body affected by lumbar spondylolisthesis exhibits a trapezoidal change closely associated with the slipped segment, the extent of slippage, and IDH. The TV group exhibited greater pelvic incidence values and lumbar lordosis, which may have caused wedging of the slipped vertebra.BACKGROUND The clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism (PE) is highly variable, ranging from no symptoms to shock or sudden death, often making the diagnosis a challenge. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is not a definitive diagnostic tool; however, it can alter the clinical suspicion of acute PE. PE has nonspecific electrocardiographic patterns ranging from a normal EKG in almost 33% of patients to sinus tachycardia, S1Q3T3 pattern (McGinn-White Sign), right axis deviation, and incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB). ST-segment elevation associated with PE is exceedingly rare, and to date, only a few cases have been reported. CASE REPORT We present a case of a middle-aged male patient with no medical comorbidities other than obesity, who presented with initial symptoms and EKG findings concerning an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). He was later found to have rather patent coronary arteries on cardiac catheterization but bilateral sub-massive pulmonary embolism on computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of the chest. CONCLUSIONS The differential diagnosis of STEMI is broad, including, but not limited to, Prinzmetal's angina, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, left ventricular aneurysm, hypothermia, hyperkalemia, and acute pericarditis. Pulmonary embolism may present with abnormal EKG and biomarkers that appear to be an acute coronary syndrome, even STEMI. Physicians must maintain a high index of clinical suspicion through risk stratification to identify PE in these settings, as the frequency of such an occurrence is extremely low. A bedside echocardiogram can be an invaluable diagnostic tool in such cases.Peter Harlech Jones argues that although publication of this new BVA policy is a great first step to improving working environments, more needs to be done to ensure it will succeed in making a difference.This focus article has been prepared by Alwyn Jones, veterinary investigation officer with SRUC Veterinary Services.Emma Boxer discusses research examining the carriage of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria by an iconic Galapagos Islands' species.

The aim of our study was to explore patient types in general practitioner (GP) practices and to quantify the regional differences of the frequencies of these patient types in northern Germany.

We conducted a mixed-methods study based on focus groups and standardised interviews with GPs. All counties and independent cities within a radius of 120 km around Hamburg were assigned one of three regional categories (urban areas, environs, rural areas). The focus groups were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Relative frequencies of consultations by patient types and differences between the regions were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify differences among regions.

Nine focus groups with 65 GPs (67.7% male). From the 280 initially recruited GPs 211 (65.4% male) could be personally interviewed.

Four themes with 27 patient types were derived from the focus groups patients classified by morbidity, sociodemographic characteristics, special care needs and patient behaviour. Fivr children or noncompliant patients.

NCT02558322.

NCT02558322.

Lung transplant (LT) recipients require multidisciplinary care because of the complexity of therapeutic management. Pharmacists are able to detect drug-related problems and provide recommendations to physicians through pharmacists' interventions (PIs). We aimed at assessing the clinical impact of PIs on therapeutic management in LT outpatients.

Data were collected prospectively from an LT recipients cohort during 7 years. A multidisciplinary committee assessed retrospectively the clinical impact of accepted PIs.

French University Hospital.

LT outpatients followed from 2009 to 2015.

Clinical impact of PIs performed by pharmacists using the CLEO tool and the Pareto chart.

1449 PIs led to a change in patient therapeutic management and were mainly related to wrong dosage (39.6%) and untreated indication (19.6%). The clinical impact of PIs was 'avoids fatality', 'major' and 'moderate', in 0.1%, 7.0% and 57.9%, respectively. Immunosuppressants, antimycotics for systemic use and antithrombotic agents had the greatest clinical impact according to the Pareto chart.