Histology of subepithelial lesions (SELs) in the gastrointestinal tract-resected endoscopic: a database study of 4901 patients

Message Subepithelial lesions (SLEs) are often detected incidentally during endoscopic examination. They represent a heterogeneous group of lesions including non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesion, the most relevant of which may be gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) and neuroendocrine tumours (NET). We report the biggest SELs database (4901 cases) on histology characteristics of different SELs resected endoscopically (mean size 1.45 cm, range 0.80–1.90 cm). In the oesophagus, leiomyomas comprised 95.7% of all lesions, while, in the stomach, GIST tumours were the predominant lesions (40.3%), but mostly in body (39.8%) and fundus (46.2%), much less so in the antrum (13.6%). Most of the gastric GISTs were of very low or low risk (93.1%). In the antrum, non-neoplastic lesions were most prominent (48.5%), and 20.1% lipomas were lipomas. Only a few lesions were resected in the duodenum (n=208), mostly non-neoplastic (35.6%), as were in the colorectum (n=592), with the vast majority being rectal NETs (55.9%)….

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Are there gender differences in mental healthcare utilisation preceding deaths of despair? A retrospective cohort study of Norwegian register data (2008-2017)

Objective
Marked gender differences have been observed in ‘deaths of despair’, with suicides, drug overdoses and alcohol-related diseases more common among men. The present study examines whether men use fewer mental healthcare services than women during the years before dying from diseases of despair.

Design
Retrospective cohort study: population-wide administrative register data, covering all registered inhabitants of Norway, are analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression and ordinary least squares linear probability models. The regression models are adjusted for age and sociodemographic covariates (marriage, immigrant background, education and employment status), measured at baseline (2008).

Setting
Norway 2008–2017.

Participants
Men (number of observations (n) = 1 593 044) and women (n=1 569 717) who fell within the 15–69 age range in 2008 and were still alive and residing in Norway in 2014.

Outcome measures
Mental healthcare utilisation during a 6-year period (2009–2014) is monitored in men and women who died prematurely (

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OptiNeoCare: optimisation of routine care in the management of severe perinatal asphyxia in full-term or near-term newborns – study protocol for analysis of suboptimal care by confidential inquiries and e-self report

Introduction
Severe perinatal asphyxia at term or near term remains a critical public health issue, associated with high risks of neonatal death and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Despite improved clinical guidelines, suboptimal care persists in many cases, and previous audits have demonstrated that up to 50% of asphyxia cases could be associated with suboptimal care. OptiNeoCare is a French study which aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of suboptimal obstetric and neonatal care and evaluate its potential impact on neonatal outcomes.

Materials and methods
This prospective, population-based observational study will include newborns ≥36 weeks’ gestation with severe perinatal asphyxia across 12 French perinatal networks (213 maternity units). Inclusion criteria comprise neonatal death or moderate/severe HIE with confirmed biochemical markers of asphyxia. Data will be collected prospectively from labour wards, transport teams and neonatal intensive care units using an electronic case report form, and the in-situ team will be invited to complete a morbi-mortality review (MMR). Approximately 336 cases will be included over 12 months, with 25% randomly selected for confidential enquiry by two experts. The quality of care will be assessed based on a structured classification of medical errors (diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and systemic) by a panel of experts including an obstetrician or midwife and a paediatrician. Root cause analysis will identify determinants of suboptimal care. A concordance analysis will compare findings from MMRs and confidential enquiries. Statistical analysis will include multivariable logistic regression to explore associations between care quality and neonatal outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee for Research in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Informed non-opposition is required from participants. Results will be shared with participating centres, healthcare professionals and through scientific dissemination.

Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06322732.

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Impact of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure on clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (Hunter LVEDP Study): a prospective, single-centre study

Objectives
Elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been studied in patients who received thrombolysis or who were treated early in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) era; LVEDP was found to be a predictor of adverse outcomes in these retrospective post hoc analyses. The aim of the current analysis is to assess the prognostic value of the elevated LVEDP in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI in current contemporary practice.

Design
Prospective, single-centre study.

Participants
Our study enrolled STEMI patients with elevated LVEDP undergoing primary PCI at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia.

Primary outcome measure
The primary endpoint was the combination of 12-month all-cause mortality and heart failure admissions, comparing different quartiles of LVEDP.

Results
A total of 997 patients underwent primary PCI at our hospital during the 5-year study period (age: 64±13 years, males: 73%; n=728) from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. The median LVEDP for the whole cohort was 27 mm Hg (IQR: 22–31 mm Hg). The median LVEDP was 17 mm Hg (IQR: 13–18 mm Hg) and 33 mm Hg (IQR: 30–36 mm Hg) for 1st and 4th quartiles respectively (p

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Effect of zinc supplementation on diarrhoea in HIV infection: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

Introduction
Diarrhoea is a common problem in people living with HIV. Some trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea; however, several studies employing the effectiveness of zinc supplementation for reducing diarrhoea in HIV infection have reported heterogeneous outcomes, necessitating a systematic review to provide an exhaustive summary of current evidence. This review aims to pool the available evidence on the effectiveness of zinc supplementation on diarrhoea in HIV infection.

Methods and analysis
This systematic review protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. A systematic literature search will be conducted in Chinese and English databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, SinoMed and Wanfang, as part of our search strategy from inception to 17 May 2025. Two reviewers will independently identify eligible studies and extract data. The risk of bias in included studies will be assessed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials. The risk ratio and 95% CIs will be used to estimate the efficacy of treatment and evaluation approach to rate the certainty of evidence. Cochran’s Q and the I2 will be used to evaluate statistical heterogeneity. Data will be analysed using Stata version 13.0.

Ethics and dissemination
Because no patients were involved, ethical approval was not required. The final results of this research will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal or presented at relevant conferences, and any deviations from this protocol will be recorded and explained in the final report.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42022328098.

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Scoping review of guidance on safe non-consultant medical staffing recommendations for UK acute hospitals

Objectives
Modern healthcare is delivered by an increasingly multidisciplinary team, complicating workforce management. Patient safety inquiries have led to reports such as the Francis and Berwick reports (2013), which consistently emphasise the need for proper staffing to ensure patient safety. While nursing has seen progress with safe staffing guidelines, there remains a significant gap in guidance for medical staff. In the UK, consultants are the senior members of the medical profession who have achieved a Certification of Completion of Training (CCT) and are able to practice independently. The number of required consultants is based on population needs, and future consultant numbers are used to determine the number of doctor training positions. However, this approach often overlooks the specific staffing needs of individual hospitals, particularly regarding patient safety. Although a named consultant is responsible for patient care, the medical workforce that handles day-to-day operations in acute hospitals consists of a diverse group of staff who require varying degrees of supervision based on their competency and seniority. This group includes medical associates, such as physician associates, and resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) who themselves are a heterogeneous group needing different levels of oversight. As a result, the previous focus solely on consultant staffing requirements must be broadened to address the realities of patient care. At present, no single resource provides a comprehensive summary of staffing recommendations that includes all groups within the non-consultant medical workforce. This research aims to identify existing guidance for this part of the medical workforce to support healthcare management. The objectives of this study are, therefore, to identify guidance and recommendations for safe staffing levels from a patient safety perspective for non-consultant medical staff in UK acute hospitals.

Design
A scoping literature review was conducted and is reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.

Data sources
This used five search strategies: internal website searches, Google Scholar searches, general Google searches, medical database searches via Ovid and a snowballing strategy.

Eligibility criteria
English-language resources published from 2015 to 2024 that provide specific guidance on safe medical staffing levels for National Health Service acute hospitals in the UK.

Data extraction and synthesis
Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in the diverse guidance discovered, using a hybrid approach that combined human and AI methods. The benefits and limitations of this method are discussed.

Results
The review yielded 10 703 resources, of which 10 met all eligibility criteria for analysis. Identified themes include staffing requirements, staffing recommendations and a tiered system approach.

Conclusions
Medical staffing is complex due to the varying roles and competencies involved. While some guidance exists, there is a clear need for more comprehensive recommendations that go beyond specific specialities. Future research should focus on developing a medical safe staffing tool and addressing the barriers to comprehensive guidance, both of which would enhance patient care.

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Men matter: a cross-sectional exploration of the forgotten fathers of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa

Background
Fathers are intricately bound to the experience of adolescent mothers and their children. Yet, fathers of children born to adolescent mothers, particularly within the context of HIV, remain neglected in the literature. These exploratory analyses provide insight into the characteristics of fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa.

Setting
Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Design
Cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort study.

Participants
Young mothers (10–24 years of age) and their children (0–68 months). All mothers completed detailed study questionnaires, including standardised and study-specific measures, relating to their self, their children and the fathers of their children. Summary statistics are presented based on maternal self-report of father characteristics. 2 tests and t-tests (Fisher’s exact/Kruskal-Wallis tests, where appropriate) were additionally used to explore sample characteristics (including father characteristics, maternal experience and child characteristics) according to paternal age and father involvement in childcare (defined by responses to four maternal self-report questions). Father characteristics were also explored according to maternal HIV status and maternal mental health status.

Results
40% of fathers were adolescents (10–19 years) at the birth of their children. Overall, father involvement was low (19.5%). Compared with noninvolved fathers, involved fathers were more likely to be older when their child was born (21 years vs 20 years, t=4.30, p=0.04), to be in a relationship with the mothers of their children (74.8% vs 47.2%, 2=40.8, p≤0.0001), to reside with their children and their mothers (14.7% vs 3.7%, 2=49.3, p≤0.0001) and to attend the first antenatal appointment (4.3% vs 1.5%, 2=5.21, p=0.02). A quarter (25.4%; 227/894) of the adolescent mothers in the sample were living with HIV. The prevalence of maternal HIV was found to be higher among adolescent mothers of children born to older fathers compared with adolescent fathers (31.7% vs 15.9%, 2=28.3, p≤0.001). Likewise, depressive symptoms were more prevalent among adolescent mothers of children born to older fathers compared with adolescent fathers (9.9% vs 5.3%, 2=6.08, p=0.01). Adolescent mothers reporting poor mental health were less likely to be in a relationship with the fathers of their children (41.8% vs 54.1%, 2=7.32, p=0.03) and more likely to experience domestic violence perpetrated by the fathers of their children (8.2% vs 3.3%, 2=6.07, p=0.01) and to engage in arguments about finances with the fathers of their children (30.0% vs 17.0%, 2=10.8, p=0.001). While some differences in individual subscales were identified, overall composite scores of child cognitive development did not differ according to father age or father involvement.

Conclusions
Analyses provide the first preliminary description of the fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa. Fathers are inherently tied to the experiences of adolescent mothers and their children. Father involvement with their children was low. Further research is required to explore the potential barriers to father involvement and pathways to overcome these. Efforts to bolster father engagement, such as the inclusion of fathers within maternal and child service provision, may have benefits for fathers, adolescent mothers and their children. There was a high prevalence of adolescent fatherhood in the study. Adolescent fathers may have specific needs requiring tailored intervention for adolescent parent families. The need for the inclusion of fathers within policy, programming and research remains.

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