Twenty‐year study of in‐hospital and postdischarge mortality following emergency general surgical admission

We are grateful to Lizzie Nicholson, and the team at the Information Services Division, Scotland for their support in providing us with these data and the Data Safehaven Department of the University of Aberdeen for its storage. The authors would also like to thanks Dr Neil Scott and Dr Rute Vieira of the Department of Medical Statistics, University of Aberdeen for their advice in conducting this research.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Comprehensive assessment of the management of acute cholecystitis in Scotland : population-wide cohort study

Funding The study was funded by an NHS Grampian endowment fund (NER 11062). © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Society Ltd. Elements of this paper were presented as an oral presentation at the Surgical Research Society in Nottingham, UK on 25 March 2023. Data from this paper have also been presented in the Moynihan prize presentation section of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Harrogate, UK on 18 May 2023Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Causes of death after emergency general surgical admission : population cohort study of mortality

Funding: This study was funded by the NHS Highland Endowments fund.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Taenia solium Infections in a Rural Area of Eastern Zambia-A Community Based Study

Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis is a zoonotic infection endemic in many developing countries, with humans as the definitive host (taeniosis) and pigs and humans as the intermediate hosts (cysticercosis). When humans act as the intermediate host, the result can be neurocysticercosis, which is associated with acquired epilepsy, considerable morbidity and even mortality. In Africa, most studies have been carried out in pigs with little or no data in humans available. In this human study, conducted in a rural community in Eastern Zambia, prevalences for taeniosis and cysticercosis were determined at 6.3% and 5.8% respectively, indicating the hyperendemicity of the area. Cysticercosis infection was strongly related with age, with a significant increase in prevalence occurring in individuals from the age of 30 onward. A collected tapeworm was confirmed to be T. solium. Risk factors associated with the transmission and maintenance of the parasite such as free roaming pigs, households without latrines, backyard slaughter of pigs without inspection and consumption of undercooked pork were also present. The findings of this work have identified the need for further research in the transmission dynamics and the burden that this infection has on the resources of poor local people

Animal influence on water, sanitation and hygiene measures for zoonosis control at the household level: A systematic literature review

Neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs) have a significant impact on the livelihoods of the world’s poorest populations, which often lack access to basic services. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes are included among the key strategies for achieving the World Health Organization’s 2020 Roadmap for Implementation for control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). There exists a lack of knowledge regarding the effect of animals on the effectiveness of WASH measures. This review looked to identify how animal presence in the household influences the effectiveness of water, hygiene and sanitation measures for zoonotic disease control in low and middle income countries; to identify gaps of knowledge regarding this topic based on the amount and type of studies looking at this particular interaction

Evaluating the efficacy of teaching methods regarding prevention of human epilepsy caused by Taenia solium neurocysticercosis in Western Kenya.

Taenia solium neurocysticercosis is a major cause of adult-onset epilepsy in developing countries. A questionnaire was administered to 282 Kenyan farmers, followed by a workshop, a second questionnaire, one-on-one training, and a third questionnaire. People who attended workshops were more likely to know how T. solium causes epilepsy in humans in the third visit than the second (P = 0.001). The likelihood that farmers would tether their pigs 100% of the time, limiting exposure to tapeworm eggs, increased after the first (P < 0.001) and second visits (P < 0.001). Farmers were more likely to have heard of Cysticercus cellulosae in the second (P = 0.001) and third visits (P = 0.007), and to know how pigs acquire infection in the second (P = 0.03) and third visits (P = 0.003). Farmers with at least a grade 8 education were more likely to know how T. solium is transmitted to humans in the second (P = 0.001) and third visits (P = 0.009), and were more likely to understand the relationship between epilepsy and T. solium in the second (P = 0.03) and third visits (P = 0.03). Grade 8 education may enhance learning from written material. Workshops followed by individual on-farm training enhanced knowledge acquisition and behavior changes. Training local government extension workers contributed to the sustainability of this project

Frostbite following cryolipolysis treatment in a beauty salon:a case study

Abstract: This case study describes frostbite, a previously unreported complication following cryolipolysis, which resulted in substantial necrosis of the flank. Medical attention was not sought until one week after treatment. On examination, two distinct areas of significant frostbite in the left flank with surrounding erythema were revealed. Surgical intervention was avoided, as is recommended in cases of frostbite, and conservative treatment resulted in recovery of the affected area. Here, the authors highlight the adverse effects related to cryolipolysis, analysing the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management of this injury. The necessity of regulation within the cosmetic sector and the challenges associated with its implementation are also described. The authors believe emphasis must be placed on increasing patient awareness on the potential hazards of seeking cosmetic treatment from unregulated providers. </jats:sec