Aut Even Hospital

Objectives: This study investigated the inflammatory responses of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) isolated from osteoarthritis (OA) patients, stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Both experimental and synthetic data were utilised to investigate the variability in IL-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) production and its implications for OA pathogenesis. Methods: Synovial biopsies were obtained from OA patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. FLS were isolated, cultured, and stimulated with varying concentrations of LPS and IL-6. The production of IL-6 and MPO was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Synthetic data generation techniques expanded the dataset to support comprehensive statistical analyses. Results: The patterns of inflammatory responses revealed distinct patient subgroups, highlighting individual variability. The integration of synthetic data with experimental observations validated their reliability and demonstrated dose-dependent differences in IL-6 and MPO production across patients. Conclusions: The results highlighted the importance of patient-specific factors in OA inflammation and demonstrated the utility of combining experimental and synthetic data to model individual variability. The results support the development of personalised treatment strategies in OA. Future research should include larger patient datasets and an exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying these responses.

Studies have shown an underrepresentation of researchers from lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the research literature compared with their counterparts in high-income countries. We aimed to explore Arab researchers' challenges regarding conducting and publishing research in peer-reviewed journals. We used a descriptive qualitative study design of semi-structured in-depth interviews. Using purposive sampling, we recruited participants from four Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated to English if the original language was Arabic or French. We analyzed the transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis. Several authors independently coded the transcripts and agreed on the identified codes, themes, and subthemes. We performed 17 interviews: three from Egypt, six from Jordan, four from Morocco, and four from Sudan. Our participants' comments were divided into three broad categories with associated themes and subthemes. The first regards the conduct of research (themes of inadequate quality of research, insufficient research resources, and nonsuppurative research environment). The second category involves the publishing process (themes of poor scientific writing skills and difficulties navigating the publishing and peer-reviewed system). The third regards international collaborations and the final category recommends methods to address the challenges. Our recommendations include: enhancing the institutional research culture, increasing funding mechanisms, establishing mentoring programs and workshops on research methodology and scientific writing, and increasing the representation of LMICs on the editorial staff. Identifying the challenges of Arab researchers in publishing original and quality research would guide programs tailored and targeted toward Arab scholars' needs.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the utility and safety profile of the GreenLight Xcelerated Performance System (XPS) photoselective vaporisation of the prostate (PVP) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in high-risk patients. Patients and methods: A retrospective study of a prospectively managed database was carried out. The study reviewed a single surgeon’s experience of treating high-risk patients with GreenLight XPS PVP between two sites over a four-year period. Patients considered to be high risk were those who were at an increased risk of bleeding, those who had a prostate size >80 mL, those with preoperative urinary retention and/or those aged >80 years. Results: In total, 374 patients were identified as being high risk for GreenLight PVP. Patient age ranged from 44 to 96 years ( Mage=71 years). Of the 374 patients, 103 were aged >80 years. All 374 patients were considered to be at an increased risk of bleeding, as they underwent GreenLight PVP while taking antiplatelet agents (not including aspirin), anticoagulant agents or both. Ninety-one patients had preoperative urinary retention and indwelling urinary catheter. Fifty-four patients had a prostate size >80 mL. Length of stay varied from 1 to 14 days. Most patients ( n=270) were discharged on postoperative day 1. There were no perioperative blood transfusions. One patient developed acute coronary syndrome on postoperative day 4, requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. Twenty-two patients required readmission: 12 due to urinary retention with or without haematuria, and 10 due to haematuria without associated acute retention. Two patients required cystoscopy and bladder washout. There were two blood transfusions in the ‘readmission due to haematuria’ group. Outcomes for patients aged >80 years were favourable. The average length of stay was 2.7 days (range 1–14 days). This group was responsible for 12 of the 22 readmissions. There were no perioperative cardiovascular events. Conclusion: We conclude that GreenLight XPS PVP is a safe procedure in patients with one or more high-risk factors. The ability to proceed without the need to stop antiplatelets or anticoagulant agents also allows for high-risk medical patients to be treated without the additional risks of cardiovascular events. Level of evidence: Not applicable for this multicentre audit.

This review aims to cover the transplant procedures that have been developed and investigated as potential treatments for age-related macular degeneration. The choice of transplant materials that will be discussed ranges from isolated cells (including stem cells, iris pigment epithelial cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells) to monolayers of cells on artificial or nonartificial substrates and also to whole patches of tissue (e.g., fetal retina, full-thickness patch grafts and macular relocation). Finally, we will address the current and future technologies and questions that need to be addressed in order that transplant procedures can have an effective role in the treatment of patients with age-related macular degeneration.