Systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of chronic peri-adolescent cannabinoid exposure on schizophrenia-like behaviour in rodents.

BACKGROUND: The link between cannabis use and schizophrenia is well-established in epidemiological studies, especially among adolescents with early-onset use. However, this association in rodent models is less clear. This meta-analysis examined the effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure on distinct schizophrenia-like behaviours in rodents and how experimental variations influence outcomes. METHODS: Following a pre-registered protocol (CRD42022338761), we searched PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embse and APA PsychInfo for English-language original studies until May 2024. We synthesised data from experiments on schizophrenia-like behaviour in rats and mice after repeated peri-pubertal (onset between P23-P45) cannabinoid exposure. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE's tool. RESULTS: We included 359 experiments from 108 articles across 9 behavioural tests. We found meta-analytic evidence supporting that CB1R agonists, both natural and synthetic, elicited broad schizophrenia-like behavioural alterations, including impaired working memory [g = -0.56; (CI: -0.93, -0.18)], novel object recognition [g = -0.66; (CI: -0.97, -0.35)], novel object location recognition [g = -0.70; (CI: -1.07, -0.33]), social novelty preference [g = -0.52; (CI: -0.93, -0.11)], social motivation [g = -0.21; (CI: -0.42, -0.00)], pre-pulse inhibition [g = -0.43; (CI: -0.76, -0.10)], and sucrose preference [g = -0.87; (CI: -1.46, -0.27)]. By contrast, effects on novelty-induced locomotion were negligible. Subgroup analyses revealed similar effects across sexes and species. Substantial variance in the protocols and moderate-to-high heterogeneity in behavioural outcomes were observed. We found CBD may enhance fear memory recall, but data was limited. DISCUSSION: This is the first meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the link between cannabinoids and schizophrenia-like behaviours in rodents. Our results support epidemiological links between early cannabis use and schizophrenia-like phenotypes, confirming the utility of animal models. Standardising protocols will optimise models to strengthen reproducibility and comparisons, our work provides a framework for refining rodent models to elucidate biological pathways linking cannabis and schizophrenia.

Laparoscopy versus endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm: A systematic review.

Minimally invasive surgery is a useful alternative to open repair for patients with nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). We aim to compare the clinical outcomes for three different minimally invasive techniques: hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS), total laparoscopic surgery (TLS), and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched between January and March 2023. Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing two minimally invasive techniques were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcomes were mortality (in-hospital, 30-day, or 1-year) and reintervention rates (30-day or 1-year). Length of surgery, blood loss, transfusion volume, conversion to open surgery, major complication rates, length of hospital stay, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay were also evaluated. Eight cohort studies and one RCT were included comparing patients undergoing HALS (n = 500), TLS (n = 263), and EVAR (n = 438) for elective AAA repair. The TLS group had the highest rate of 30-day postoperative reinterventions (p = 0.00056), the longest surgical duration (p = 0.0311), and the highest rate of conversion to open surgery (p < 0.001). TLS was also associated with the most blood loss during surgery, the highest blood transfusion volumes, and the longest length of ICU stay, although these results did not reach statistical significance. Subgroup analysis revealed superior contemporary EVAR outcomes compared to TLS. Laparoscopic surgery (LAS) and EVAR have comparable mortality rates. However, LAS, particularly TLS, is significantly less efficacious than EVAR in terms of intraoperative conversions to open surgery and 30-day reintervention rates. Further controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the evidence.

Long Saphenous Vein Harvesting: Reviewing Various Techniques.

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western world. Thus, coronary artery bypass graft is the most common cardiac procedure performed as it remains the gold standard for multiple vessel disease and left main disease. Long saphenous vein is the conduit of choice for coronary artery bypass graft as it is accessible and easy to harvest. Over the previous 4 decades, several techniques have emerged to optimize harvesting and reducing adverse clinical outcomes. The most cited techniques are open vein harvesting, no-touch technique, endoscopic vein harvesting, and standard bridging technique. In this literature review, we aim to summarize current literature for each of the 4 techniques in terms of: (A) graft patency and attrition, (B) myocardial infarction and revascularization, (C) wound infections, (D) postoperative pain, and (E) patient satisfaction.

Pregnant theatre staff in orthopaedic operating rooms: An observational study.

PURPOSE: Trauma & Orthopaedic (T&O) surgery presents several occupational hazards to pregnant women and the unborn child. National bodies have produced guidelines to mitigate these risks as far as possible but individual trusts must be aware of them and implement them in their local policies. Our study aims to re-assess whether national guidelines for the protection of pregnant women are better adhered to nationally by providing a comparison to a previous study in 2018. METHODS: A national observational study of 146 NHS trusts in the UK was conducted. Each trust was asked to complete a freedom of information request regarding all orthopaedic guidelines relating to pregnant theatre staff, which specifically related to the protection of the mother and foetus from exposure to harmful activity in theatre. Compliance was ascertained by cross-checking local policies with national guidelines. RESULTS: 82/146 (52.0%) of NHS trusts responded to the Freedom of Information  request. 31/75 (41.3%) respondents followed Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for New and Expectant Mothers with 17/75 (22.7%) following multiple national guidelines. 16/75 (21.3%) NHS trusts do not follow any national guidelines in protecting new and expectant mothers from occupational hazards in the orthopaedic theatre setting. CONCLUSIONS: Although an improvement has been made since 2018 in complying with national guidelines protecting new and expectant mothers from orthopaedic-related hazards, a sizeable proportion of NHS trusts do not comply with any national guidelines, putting employees at undue risk. There is a continued need for pregnant surgeons to be aware of and seek occupational health advice from dedicated professional bodies if the NHS trust does not provide specific guidance. Simultaneously, a sustained effort must be present to continue to inform NHS employers of their duty to protect new and expectant mothers and signpost them to relevant guidance.

COVID-19 and Multiorgan Response: The Long-Term Impact.

In late December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was discovered following a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was unclear how this virus would manifest into a multiorgan impacting disease. After over 750 million cases worldwide, it has become increasingly evident that SARS-CoV-2 is a complex multifaceted disease we continue to develop our understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and how it affects these systems has many theories, ranging from direct viral infection via ACE2 receptor binding, to indirect coagulation dysfunction, cytokine storm, and pathological activation of the complement system. Since the onset of the pandemic, disease presentation, management, and manifestation have changed significantly. This paper intends to expand on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and vascular systems of the body and the changes in clinical management. It is evident that the pharmacological, nonpharmacological and psychological management of COVID-19 patients require clearer guidelines to improve the survival odds and long-term clinical outcomes of those presenting with severe disease.

Transseptal vs Transapical Transcatheter Mitral Valve-in-Valve and Valve-in-Ring Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement has become a useful alternative for patients with failed mitral prosthesis or annuloplasty rings who are deemed high risk for redo surgery. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes following transseptal (TS) and transapical (TA) approaches in transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation (TMViV/R). Electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched through November 2022. Both clinical trials and observational studies comparing patients undergoing TS and TA TMViV/R were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality. Postoperative stroke, left ventricle outlet tract (LVOT) obstruction, mitral valve pressure gradient (MVPG), bleeding, and length of hospital stay were also evaluated. Seven observational studies were included comparing patients undergoing TS (n = 1875) and TA (n = 1120) TMViV/R. The TS group had significantly lower 30-day mortality (OR: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.47, 0.94]; P = 0.02, I²â€¯= 0%) and lower one-year mortality risk group (HR: 0.79; 95% CI [0.63, 0.99]; P = 0.04, I²â€¯= 0%) compared to the TA group. The TS group had consistent shorter in-hospital stay (MD = -3.79; 95% CI [-5.23, -2.34] days; P < 0.0001, I²â€¯= 75%). Postoperative stroke, bleeding and LVOT obstruction tended to be lower in the TS but the results did not reach statistical significance. Postoperative MVPG was similar between both groups. The TS approach has lower early mortality, lower 1-year death hazard, shorter in-hospital stay, and a trend toward lower complication rates when compared to TA TMViV/R. Further controlled trials may support the evidence and provide long-term outcomes.

Effect of time of diagnosis to surgery on outcome, including long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, in necrotizing enterocolitis.

A systematic review of the PubMed and EMBASE databases was carried out to determine if time from diagnosis to surgery affects outcomes in necrotising enterocolitis. The study was registered on the PROSPERO website. Studies reporting both time to surgery and at least one clinical outcome measure in infants undergoing surgery for NEC were included. The initial search returned 1121 articles. After removing duplicates, title, and abstract screening, 49 remained for full-text review. Of these, only two reported both timing of surgery for NEC and at least one clinical outcome. The total number of neonates included was 202. Outcomes reported were death and/or parenteral nutrition use 28 days post surgery in one study and white matter brain injury in the other. No statistically significant association was found between any of the outcomes reported and timing of surgery. There were, however, significant differences associated with non-modifiable risk factors, such as age and gestation, at presentation. However, very few studies report this as a variable. Given the continuing poor outcomes and heterogeneous nature of NEC and its treatments, further large-scale prospective studies are required to examine the impact of timing of surgery, alongside other, potentially modifiable factors on outcome in NEC.