British medical bulletin
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2019
ReviewThe counter-intuitive role of the neutrophil in the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Neutrophils are the primary effectors of the innate immune system but are profoundly histotoxic cells. The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is considered to be a prime example of neutrophil-mediated tissue injury. ⋯ Aside from treatment of the precipitating causes of ARDS, and scrupulous fluid, infection and ventilation management, there are no pharmacological interventions for ARDS; this represents an urgent and unmet need. Therapies aimed at reducing overall neutrophil numbers risk secondary infection; hence better ways are needed to reverse the processes of neutrophil priming activation, hyper-secretion and delayed apoptosis while enhancing the pro-resolution functions of the neutrophil.
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2019
ReviewHydration Interventions for older people living in residential and nursing care homes: overview of the literature.
Care home populations experiencing high levels of multi-morbidity and dementia require support from caregivers to meet their hydration requirements. This article provides an overview of literature related to hydration interventions and highlights gaps in knowledge. ⋯ There is a need for understanding of what hydration practices and processes are effective for care home residents and including these in multi-component interventions.
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British medical bulletin · Sep 2019
Meta AnalysisArthroscopic primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament in adults: a systematic review.
The most common procedure to manage a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is surgical reconstruction. Primary repair of the ACL is returning on the forefront in the management of acute ACL, aiming to be less invasive and preserve the original ligament. Several techniques have been reported; the present systematic review investigates the clinical outcomes of ACL primary repair in adults. ⋯ The overall good results were reported also for other techniques are not supported by adequate evidence. More and better trials are required to improve our knowledge and understanding in this controversial area.
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In 2014, Brännström and colleagues reported the first human live birth following uterine transplantation (UTx). Research into this treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility has since grown with clinical trials currently taking place across centers in at least thirteen countries worldwide. ⋯ Uterus transplantation requires us to re-examine fundamental questions about the ethical and social value of gestation. If eventually extended to transgender women or even to men, it may also require us to reconceptualize what it is to be a 'father' or to be a 'mother', and the definition of these terms in law.