British medical bulletin
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British medical bulletin · Mar 2016
ReviewFreezing and non-freezing cold weather injuries: a systematic review.
The debilitating impact of cold weather on the human body is one of the world's oldest recorded injuries. The severe and life-changing damage which can be caused is now more commonly seen recreationally in extreme outdoor sports rather than in occupational settings such as the military. The diagnosis and treatment of these injuries need to be completed carefully but quickly to reduce the risk of loss of limb and possibly life. Therefore, we have conducted a systematic review of the literature surrounding cold weather injuries (CWIs) to ascertain the epidemiology and current management strategies. ⋯ The treatment of non-freezing CWIs with their long-term follow-up.
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Uterus transplantation (UTx) is introduced as the first treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI), affecting 1:500 fertile aged women. This review presents potential patients, research and human UTx cases. ⋯ All new activities in human UTx within the coming years should be conducted as prospective observational studies, and data should also be collected within an international registry.
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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.