Phenoxy herbicides, soft-tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review of evidence from cohort and case-control studies
Background
Phenoxy herbicides have been used widely in agriculture, forestry, parks and domestic gardens. Early studies linked them with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but when last reviewed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1986, the evidence for human carcinogenicity was limited.
Sources of data
We searched Medline and Embase, looking for cohort or case–control studies that provided data on risk of STS and/or NHL in relation to phenoxy herbicides, and checked the reference lists of relevant publications for papers that had been missed.
Areas of agreement, areas of co...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - June 1, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Jayakody, N., Harris, E. C., Coggon, D. Tags: Occupational Medicine Articles Source Type: research
No difference between unicompartmental versus total knee arthroplasty for the management of medial osteoarthtritis of the knee in the same patient: a systematic review and pooling data analysis
Introduction
One-third of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) has involvement of only one compartment, especially the medial one.
Sources of data
We performed a comprehensive search of studies comparing unicompartmental knee arthoplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the same patient on PubMed, OVID/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Google scholar and Embase databases.
Areas of agreement
UKA is indicated in knee with medial OA, no flexion deformity, no joint instability and no varus deformity.
Areas of controversy
Although high tibial osteotomy, UKA and TKA have been proposed to address medial OA of the knee, th...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - June 1, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Longo, U. G., Loppini, M., Trovato, U., Rizzello, G., Maffulli, N., Denaro, V. Tags: Sports Medicine Articles Source Type: research
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: a clinical update
Introduction
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic disorder that ultimately can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, malignancy and death. It is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and though a rare disease, its incidence is increasing. There are no proven medical therapies for PSC.
Sources of data
Ovid Medline was utilised to search for articles with keywords ‘sclerosing cholangitis’ and ‘cholangiocarcinoma’ and containing titles ‘primary sclerosing cholangitis’, and references of these papers were cross-referenced for further relevant ma...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - June 1, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Williamson, K. D., Chapman, R. W. Tags: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Articles Source Type: research
The genetics of Parkinson's disease
Background
Parkinson's disease (PD) was previously described as the prototypical sporadic disease; however, rapid advances in population and molecular genetics have revealed the existence of a significant number genetic risk factors, prompting its redefinition as a primarily genetic disorder.
Sources of data
Data for this review have been gathered from the published literature.
Areas of agreement
Multiple haplotypes conveying variable but quantifiable genetic risk, acting concurrently and possibly interacting with one another, provide the basis for a new model of PD. The beginning of this revolution in our understanding ...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - June 1, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Mullin, S., Schapira, A. Tags: Neurology Articles Source Type: research
Developments in biospecimen research
Introduction
Biobanking refers to the infrastructure, policies and practices involved in collecting, processing, storing and disseminating biological samples. Biospecimen methods research to support biobanking through evidence-based practices is now recognized as critical to the success of biobanking and translational research.
Sources of data
Data concerning biospecimen research have appeared in the literature for many years, primarily in journals and textbooks focused on clinical chemistry, epidemiology and pathology. Recently, new efforts have been initiated to support the development of evidence-based biobanking pract...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - June 1, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Vaught, J. Tags: Health Policy Articles Source Type: research
