Rejected

Intravertebral cleft is common in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, and the bone sclerosis around the fissure brings difficulties to the surgical treatment. It is not known whether the balloon dilatation mode of percutaneous kyphoplasty affects the distribution of bone cement in the fracture vertebral body and further affects the surgical effect. The purpose of this study was to discuss the effect of balloon dilatation mode on percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with intravertebral cleft.

Patients with low levels of knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their health and well-being (activation) are more likely to have unmet health needs, delay seeking healthcare and need emergency care. National Health Service England estimates that this may be applicable to 25%-40% of patients with long-term health conditions. Volunteer peer coaching may support people to increase their level of activation. This form of intervention may be particularly effective for people with low levels of activation.

Frequent emergency department users represent a small proportion of users while cumulating many visits. Previously identified factors of frequent use include high physical comorbidity, mental health disorders, poor socioeconomic status and substance abuse. However, frequent users do not necessarily exhibit all these characteristics and they constitute a heterogeneous population. This study aims to establish profiles of frequent emergency department users in an adult population with chronic conditions.

Non-native snake envenomations in the United States are uncommon with much unknown about a patient's presenting signs and symptoms. Antivenoms for non-native snake envenomations are not typically available in hospital pharmacies which may limit their administration. What are the clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes of non-native snake envenomation cases reported to the North American Snakebite Registry (NASBR) of the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC)?

SummaryThis case demonstrates a rare but potentially serious complication of an epidural blood patch (EBP). Intrathecal haematoma is a rare complication after an EBP and anaesthetists should be able to promptly identify and manage these patients to prevent long-term damage. This case also highlights the importance of informed consent according to the principles of the Montgomery judgement/principle of consent.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are a major concern in shoulder arthroplasty, which in some cases require two-stage exchange. While it was shown that low-virulence bacteria are the most isolated pathogens in shoulder PJI, little is known about changes in microbiological spectrum and resistance patterns during two-stage revision.

HIV-HCV co-infected patients have long been considered difficult-to-treat. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) changed this paradigm.

Clinical studies demonstrate that supplemental riboflavin is an efficacious and low risk prophylactic treatment for migraine. However, background riboflavin intake of adults with migraine from nutritional sources has not been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate riboflavin consumption of adults with migraine in the United States, and further investigate the relationship between nutritional riboflavin consumption and the prevalence of migraine among adults.

Malaria remains a serious threat to children under 15 years of age in sub-Sahara Africa. Mass testing, treatment and tracking (MTTT) of malaria has been reported to reduce parasite load significantly. However, the impact of MTTT on the prevalence of febrile illnesses in children under 15 is not yet clear. This study explores the impact of MTTT complemented by prompt home-based management of malaria on febrile illnesses and their treatment in children under 15 years old.