British medical bulletin
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2015
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyVolar locking plates versus K-wire/pin fixation for the treatment of distal radial fractures: a systematic review and quantitative synthesis.
Volar locking plate and Kirschner wire/pin fixations are the most commonly used methods for surgical fixation of distal radius fractures. ⋯ There is a need for more randomized trials performing standardized measurements at fixed follow-up, with results divided by subtypes of distal radius fractures.
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The UK is at the forefront of mitochondrial science and is currently the only country in the world to legalize germ-line technologies involving mitochondrial donation. However, concerns have been raised about genetic modification and the 'slippery slope' to designer babies. ⋯ It is expected that the first cohort of 'three parent' babies will be born in the UK in 2016. Their health and progress will be closely monitored.
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2015
ReviewSystematic review of the economic evidence on home visitation programmes for vulnerable pregnant women.
A systematic review of the economic evidence on home visitation programmes for young or vulnerable pregnant women was undertaken to provide a summary of the existing literature of these interventions. ⋯ There is a need for well-designed economic evaluations which will follow the appropriate methodological guidelines and also take into account the complexity of such interventions. These analyses should preferably consider multiple perspectives and allow for the fact that the majority of the benefits accrue in the long-term future.
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2015
ReviewCommissioning for equity in the NHS: rhetoric and practice.
This paper reviews evidence on equity as a policy goal of resource allocation in the English NHS, focussing on the role of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) as purchasers of health services since 2013 and their capacity to achieve equity through the process of commissioning. ⋯ Additional assessments of structural capacity should be complemented by further development of indicators of equity of access and studies that quantify inequities. Research should also explore how an equity principle can be embedded in commissioning, which currently revolves around cost containment and efficiency.
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2015
ReviewMesenchymal stem cells for therapeutic applications in pulmonary medicine.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of different biological sources are in Phase 1 clinical trials and are being considered for Phase 2 therapy of lung disorders, and lung (progenitor) cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (SCs) are under development in preclinical animal models. ⋯ Although safety of MSC-based cell therapy was proved in Phase 1, efficacy, long-term survival and preservation of lung respiratory function need to be further evaluated, cautioning against hastily translating SCs therapy from animal models of lung injury to clinical trials of patients with lung disorders.