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Iyizoba-Ebozue Z, Fatimilehin A, Kayani M, Khan A, McMahon M, Stewart S, Croney C, Sritharan K, Khan M, Obeid M, Igwebike O, Batool R, A-Hakim R, Aghadiuno T, Ruparel V, O'Reilly K. Unveiling Disparities: Exploring Differential Attainment in Postgraduate Training Within Clinical Oncology. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2024; 36:e119-e127. [PMID: 38582627 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2024.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Differential attainment (DA) in post graduate medical training is a recognised challenge and refers to unexplained variation across groups when split by several protected characteristics. The Royal College of Radiology is committed to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and equality with the goal of narrowing existing gaps and improving training outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a mixed methods study aiming to understand the causes of DA with view to helping the RCR develop strategies to address this. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 140 clinical oncology trainees in September 2022. Trainees and trainers (17 and 6 respectively) from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, took part in focus group and interviews from August to December 2022. Quantitative and qualitative data merged and interpreted. RESULT Results showed international medical graduates and trainees from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to encounter challenges. The qualitative findings were used to identify three themes through which these problems could be framed. The trainee as a "space invader," the hidden curriculum of clinical oncology training and the process of navigating and tacking the training journey. CONCLUSION Differential attainment is the product of a complex interplay between the trainee, trainer, and the training environment. Therefore, interventions must be tailored to different people and contexts. At a national level, the RCR can adopt general policies to promote this such as mentorship programmes, protected time for supervision and cultural competency training. Efficacy of proposed interventions for trial and their impact on DA should be evaluated to drive evidence-based changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Iyizoba-Ebozue
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds, UK.
| | - A Fatimilehin
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - M Kayani
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - A Khan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - M McMahon
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - S Stewart
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - C Croney
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - K Sritharan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - M Khan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - M Obeid
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - O Igwebike
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Western Park Cancer Centre, Sheffield, UK
| | - R Batool
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University Hospital Coventry, West midlands, UK
| | - R A-Hakim
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - T Aghadiuno
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - V Ruparel
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Scotland UK
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Lawes R, Barnes H, Herbert T, Mitchell A, Nill S, Oelfke U, Pathmanathan A, Smith GA, Sritharan K, Tree A, McNair H, Dunlop A. MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy for prostate cancer: When do we need to account for intra-fraction motion? Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2022; 37:85-88. [PMID: 36118123 PMCID: PMC9471961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A shift of the daily plan can mitigate target position changes that occur between daily MR acquisition and treatment for MR-linac radiotherapy, but increases the session time. We demonstrated that our workflow strategy and decision-making process, to determine whether a subsequent shift is necessary, is appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Lawes
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - H. Barnes
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - T. Herbert
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - A. Mitchell
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - S. Nill
- Joint Department of Physics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | - U. Oelfke
- Joint Department of Physics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | - A. Pathmanathan
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | | | - K. Sritharan
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | - A. Tree
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | - H.A. McNair
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | - A. Dunlop
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
- Joint Department of Physics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
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Alexander SE, McNair HA, Oelfke U, Huddart R, Murray J, Pathmanathan A, Patel P, Sritharan K, van As N, Tree AC. Prostate Volume Changes during Extreme and Moderately Hypofractionated Magnetic Resonance Image-guided Radiotherapy. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2022; 34:e383-e391. [PMID: 35469741 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Prostate morphological changes during external beam radiotherapy are poorly understood. Excellent soft-tissue visualisation offered by magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT) provides an opportunity to better understand such changes. The aim of this study was to quantify prostate volume and dimension changes occurring during extreme and moderately hypofractionated schedules. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty prostate cancer patients treated on the Unity 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MRL) were retrospectively reviewed. The cohort comprised patients treated with 36.25 Gy in five fractions (n = 20) and 60 Gy in 20 fractions (n = 20). The volume of the delineated prostates on reference planning computed tomography (fused with MRI) and daily T2-weighted 2-min session images acquired on Unity were charted. Forty planning computed tomography and 500 MRL prostate volumes were evaluated. The mean absolute and relative change in prostate volume during radiotherapy was compared using a paired t-test (P value <0.01 considered significant to control for multiple comparisons). The maximum dimension of the delineated prostate was measured in three isocentric planes. RESULTS Significant prostate volume changes, relative to MRL imaging fraction 1 (MRL#1), were seen at all time points for the five-fraction group. The peak mean relative volume increase was 21% (P < 0.001), occurring at MRL#3 and MRL#4 after 14.5 and 21.75 Gy, respectively. Prostate expansion was greatest in the superior-inferior direction; the peak mean maximal extension was 5.9 mm. The maximal extension in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions measured 1.1 and 2.2 mm, respectively. For the 20-fraction group, prostate volume increased relative to MRL#1, for all treatment time points. The mean relative volume increase was 11% (P < 0.001) at MRL#5 after 12 Gy, it then fluctuated between 8 and 13%. From MRL#5 to MRL#20, the volume increase was significant (P < 0.01) for 12 of 16 time points calculated. The peak mean maximal extension in the superior-inferior direction was 3.1 mm. The maximal extension in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions measured 1.7 and 3.7 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION Significant prostate volume and dimension changes occur during extreme and moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy. The extent of change was greater during extreme hypofractionation. MRIgRT offers the opportunity to reveal, quantify and correct for this deformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Alexander
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - H A McNair
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - U Oelfke
- The Joint Department of Physics, The Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - R Huddart
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - J Murray
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - A Pathmanathan
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - P Patel
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - K Sritharan
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - N van As
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - A C Tree
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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Sritharan K, Akhiat H, Cahill D, Choi S, Choudhury A, Chung P, Diaz J, Dysager L, Hall W, Kerkmeijer L, Lawton C, Murray J, Nyborg C, Pos F, Rigo M, Schytte T, Sidhom M, Sohaib A, Tan A, van der Voort van Zyp J, Vesprini D, Zelefsky M, Tree A. PD-0571 Determining interobserver variability in prostate bed CTV target delineation using MRI. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)02886-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Smith G, Dunlop A, Alexander S, Barnes H, Herbert T, Lawes R, Murray J, Pathmanathan A, Patel P, Sritharan K, Sundahl N, Westley R, Tree A, McNair H. OC-0465 A comparison of doctor and therapeutic radiographer (RTT) prostate contours on T2 weighted MRI. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)02601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sritharan K, Manikandan V, Srinivasan K. Influence of solute-solvent interactions at the crystal-solution interface on the growth and morphology of the nonlinear optical single crystal methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (p-MHB). J Mol Struct 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Moon KH, Dharmarajah B, Bootun R, Lim CS, Lane TRA, Moore HM, Sritharan K, Davies AH. Comparison of microbubble presence in the right heart during mechanochemical and radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins. Phlebology 2016; 32:425-432. [DOI: 10.1177/0268355516661113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective Mechanochemical ablation is a novel technique for ablation of varicose veins utilising a rotating catheter and liquid sclerosant. Mechanochemical ablation and radiofrequency ablation have no reported neurological side-effect but the rotating mechanism of mechanochemical ablation may produce microbubbles. Air emboli have been implicated as a cause of cerebrovascular events during ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and microbubbles in the heart during ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy have been demonstrated. This study investigated the presence of microbubbles in the right heart during varicose vein ablation by mechanochemical abaltion and radiofrequency abaltion. Methods Patients undergoing great saphenous vein ablation by mechanochemical abaltion or radiofrequency ablation were recruited. During the ablative procedure, the presence of microbubbles was assessed using transthoracic echocardiogram. Offline blinded image quantification was performed using International Consensus Criteria grading guidelines. Results From 32 recruited patients, 28 data sets were analysed. Eleven underwent mechanochemical abaltion and 17 underwent radiofrequency abaltion. There were no neurological complications. In total, 39% (11/28) of patients had grade 1 or 2 microbubbles detected. Thirty-six percent (4/11) of mechanochemical abaltion patients and 29% (5/17) of radiofrequency ablation patients had microbubbles with no significant difference between the groups ( p=0.8065). Conclusion A comparable prevalence of microbubbles between mechanochemical abaltion and radiofrequency ablation both of which are lower than that previously reported for ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy suggests that mechanochemical abaltion may not confer the same risk of neurological events as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for treatment of varicose veins.
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Affiliation(s)
- KH Moon
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
| | - B Dharmarajah
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery & Division of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - R Bootun
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
| | - CS Lim
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
| | - TRA Lane
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
| | - HM Moore
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
| | - K Sritharan
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
| | - AH Davies
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, UK
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Sritharan K, Manikandan V, Srinivasan K. A newer approach of growing methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (p-MHB) single crystals from a melt without a polymorphic change in their form. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01342b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Skervin A, Lim C, Davies A, Sritharan K. Early and late aneurysm rupture after evar: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Surg 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.07.639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Franklin A, Sritharan K, Bates A, Ewan C, Essapen S, Stewart A. PO-1052: External beam radiotherapy and contact radiotherapy for operable low rectal cancer: response at 3 months. Radiother Oncol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(15)41044-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Bootun R, Lane TRA, Dharmarajah B, Lim CS, Najem M, Renton S, Sritharan K, Davies AH. Intra-procedural pain score in a randomised controlled trial comparing mechanochemical ablation to radiofrequency ablation: The Multicentre Venefit™ versus ClariVein® for varicose veins trial. Phlebology 2014; 31:61-5. [PMID: 25193822 DOI: 10.1177/0268355514551085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endovenous techniques are, at present, the recommended choice for truncal vein treatment. However, the thermal techniques require tumescent anaesthesia, which can be uncomfortable during administration. Non-tumescent, non-thermal techniques would, therefore, have potential benefits. This randomised controlled trial is being carried out to compare the degree of pain that patients experience while receiving mechanochemical ablation or radiofrequency ablation. The early results of this randomised controlled trial are reported here. METHODS Patients attending for the treatment of primary varicose veins were randomised to receive mechanochemical ablation (ClariVein®) or radiofrequency ablation (Covidien® Venefit™). The most symptomatic limb was randomised. The primary outcome measure was intra-procedural pain using a validated visual analogue scale. The secondary outcome measures were change in quality of life and clinical scores, time to return to normal activities and work as well as the occlusion rate. RESULTS One-hundred and nineteen patients have been randomised (60 in the mechanochemical ablation group). Baseline characteristics were similar. Maximum pain score was significantly lower in the mechanochemical ablation group (19.3 mm, standard deviation ±19 mm) compared to the radiofrequency ablation group (34.5 mm ± 23 mm; p < 0.001). Average pain score was also significantly lower in the mechanochemical ablation group (13.4 mm ± 16 mm) compared to the radiofrequency ablation group (24.4 mm ± 18 mm; p = 0.001). Sixty-six percent attended follow-up at one month, and the complete or proximal occlusion rates were 92% for both groups. At one month, the clinical and quality of life scores for both groups had similar improvements. CONCLUSION Early results show that the mechanochemical ablation is less painful than the radiofrequency ablation procedure. Clinical and quality of life scores were similarly improved at one month. The long-term data including occlusion rates at six months and quality of life scores are being collected.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bootun
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - T R A Lane
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - B Dharmarajah
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C S Lim
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK Department of Vascular Surgery, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Harrow, UK
| | - M Najem
- Department of Vascular Surgery, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Harrow, UK
| | - S Renton
- Department of Vascular Surgery, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Harrow, UK
| | - K Sritharan
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A H Davies
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Sritharan K. Tracheobronchial transplantation with a bioartifical nanocomposite. Thorax 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-201827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Abstract
Objective: To assess the patterns of referral for chronic venous disease (CVD). Method: General practitioners (GPs) were invited by an email to complete a validated online survey evaluating the referral and community management of CVD. Results: A total of 138 participants were recruited. Most GPs (85%) saw fewer than 50 patients with CVD a year. Thirty-one percent were aware of National Institute for Clinical Excellence referral guidelines for CVD and 36% were aware of and agreed with local referral guidelines. Eleven percent were aware of clinical venous scoring systems. Sixty-three percent believed mild CVD would progress and 84% believed treatment would improve the quality of life. Sixteen referred C3 disease, 43% C4, 37% C5 and 65% C6 disease. Forty-one percent would refer on request. Pain symptoms increased referral in C2 disease. Endothermal ablation was believed available to 33% and traditional stripping to 62% and 27% were unaware of the treatment options. Forty-five percent were happy to provide postoperative care. Conclusions: Despite national guidelines, the management of CVD in the UK is variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R A Lane
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital
| | - K Sritharan
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital
| | - J R Herbert
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - I J Franklin
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital
| | - A H Davies
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital
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Willenberg T, Sritharan K, Lane TRA, Shepherd AC, Davies AH. Management of uncomplicated varicose veins - a case vignette for a clinical decision proposal. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2012; 44:224-6. [PMID: 22658614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2011.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Venous disorder is common in the general population. Uncomplicated varicose veins represent a significant proportion of the disease burden, and can impact considerably on quality of life, producing a wide spectrum of symptoms. Little is known about the natural course of the disease at this stage and the treatment strategy employed is often not based on robust scientific evidence. The aim of this article is to elucidate the options to manage uncomplicated varicose veins. There are likely to be significant geographic differences in the treatment strategy employed, and it is hoped that we will arouse discussion among physicians regarding the management of this very common medical condition. The reader will be asked for their preferred treatment choice for a given clinical case vignette.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Willenberg
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK
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Sritharan K, Lane TRA, Davies AH. The burden of depression in patients with symptomatic varicose veins. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2012; 43:480-4. [PMID: 22289612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the burden and impact of depression in patients with symptomatic varicose veins. METHODS Patients with varicose veins referred to the vascular surgeons for further management, were invited to complete a validated questionnaire relating to quality of life, using the Aberdeen Varicose Veins Questionnaire (AVVQ), EuroQol-5D questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the EuroQol-Visual Analogue Score (EQ-VAS); and depressive symptoms, using the Centre of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Social, demographic, clinical (CEAP classification, venous clinical severity score (VCSS)) and venous disability score (VDS) data was also collected. RESULTS One hundred patients, mean age 52.7 years (63 females; 37 males) were recruited. Twenty-nine per cent of patients with varicose veins had depression scores suggestive of depression; no patient had previously been diagnosed or was on treatment. Depression scores were not influenced by age (p = 0.30) or gender (p = 0.60); and there was no correlation between depression scores and VCSS (p = 0.07, r2 = 0.034), or between VDS groups 1, 2 or 3 (p = 0.75). There was a weak correlation between depression scores and AVVQ (p = 0.0009, r2 = 0.12) and depression scores and EQ-5D (p < 0.0001, r2 = 0.32) and EQ-VAS (p < 0.0001, r2 = 0.25). CONCLUSION Depression is prevalent in patients with symptomatic varicose veins, where it is commonly undiagnosed and untreated. A more holistic approach to patients with venous disease is therefore advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sritharan
- Dept. of Vascular Surgery, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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Mozid AM, Sritharan K, Clesham GJ. Acute total left main stem occlusion treated with emergency percutaneous coronary intervention. Case Reports 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/bcr.05.2010.3036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Fallah MA, Myles VM, Krüger T, Sritharan K, Wixforth A, Varnik F, Schneider SW, Schneider MF. Acoustic driven flow and lattice Boltzmann simulations to study cell adhesion in biofunctionalized mu-fluidic channels with complex geometry. Biomicrofluidics 2010; 4:024106. [PMID: 20697583 PMCID: PMC2917880 DOI: 10.1063/1.3396449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Accurately mimicking the complexity of microvascular systems calls for a technology which can accommodate particularly small sample volumes while retaining a large degree of freedom in channel geometry and keeping the price considerably low to allow for high throughput experiments. Here, we demonstrate that the use of surface acoustic wave driven microfluidics systems successfully allows the study of the interrelation between melanoma cell adhesion, the matrix protein collagen type I, the blood clotting factor von Willebrand factor (vWF), and microfluidic channel geometry. The versatility of the tool presented enables us to examine cell adhesion under flow in straight and bifurcated microfluidic channels in the presence of different protein coatings. We show that the addition of vWF tremendously increases (up to tenfold) the adhesion of melanoma cells even under fairly low shear flow conditions. This effect is altered in the presence of bifurcated channels demonstrating the importance of an elaborate hydrodynamic analysis to differentiate between physical and biological effects. Therefore, computer simulations have been performed along with the experiments to reveal the entire flow profile in the channel. We conclude that a combination of theory and experiment will lead to a consistent explanation of cell adhesion, and will optimize the potential of microfluidic experiments to further unravel the relation between blood clotting factors, cell adhesion molecules, cancer cell spreading, and the hydrodynamic conditions in our microcirculatory system.
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Steppich DM, Angerer JI, Opfer J, Sritharan K, Schneider SW, Thalhammer S, Wixforth A, Alexander-Katz A, Schneider MF. Relaxation of ultralarge VWF bundles in a microfluidic-AFM hybrid reactor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2008; 369:507-12. [PMID: 18298947 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.02.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 02/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The crucial role of the biopolymer "Von Willebrand factor" (VWF) in blood platelet binding is tightly regulated by the shear forces to which the protein is exposed in the blood flow. Under high-shear conditions, VWFs ability to immobilize blood platelets is strongly increased due to a change in conformation which at sufficient concentration is accompanied by the formation of ultra large VWF bundles (ULVWF). However, little is known about the dynamic and mechanical properties of such bundles. Combining a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based microfluidic reactor with an atomic force microscope (AFM) we were able to study the relaxation of stretched VWF bundles formed by hydrodynamic stress. We found that the dynamical response of the network is well characterized by stretched exponentials, indicating that the relaxation process proceeds through hopping events between a multitude of minima. This finding is in accordance with current ideas of VWF self-association. The longest relaxation time does not show a clear dependence on the length of the bundle, and is dominated by the internal conformations and effective friction within the bundle.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Steppich
- University of Augsburg, Experimental Physics I, Biological Physics Group, Universitaetstr. 1, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany
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Hendriks WH, Sritharan K, Hodgkinson SM. Comparison of the endogenous ileal and faecal amino acid excretion in the dog (Canis familiaris) and the rat (Rattus rattus) determined under protein-free feeding and peptide alimentation. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2002; 86:333-41. [PMID: 12452975 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0396.2002.00391.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine and compare the endogenous ileal excretions of nitrogen and amino acids under protein-free and peptide alimentation by the dog and rat. Two diets were prepared, one that was devoid of protein and the other containing 23% enzyme hydrolysed casein. Chromic oxide was included in the diets as an indigestible marker. A total of 10 mixed breed dogs were fed hourly either a protein-free or enzymatically hydrolysed casein diet for a total of 10 days. A faecal sample was obtained from each dog on day 9 while digesta was obtained from the terminal 20 cm of the ileum directly after euthanasia on day 10. A total of 12 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats received the same diets as the dogs. A faecal sample from each rat was obtained on day 7 while ileal digesta samples were obtained on day 8. The endogenous ileal excretions of most amino acids were greater in the dogs and rats that received the enzymatically hydrolysed casein diet compared with those receiving the protein free diet. Whereas the pattern of endogenous amino acid excretion was similar in the rats and dogs, the dogs excreted a significantly greater amount of nitrogen (1.91 vs. 2.27 and 1.63 vs. 4.12 g/kg dry matter intake for the protein-free and peptide alimentation method, respectively) and all amino acids except for glycine, isoleucine and leucine. Endogenous ileal amino acid excretions are higher in dogs compared to omnivorous animals such as rats and pigs but similar to the carnivorous cat.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H Hendriks
- Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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