MacMillan Coffee Morning in the Education Centre

Dear colleague,

Make time for what really matters: come to our World’s Biggest Coffee Morning TODAY, 10am-12pm in the Dining Room, Education Centre.

·         Buy some of our delicious homemade cakes

·         Take time out for a tea or coffee

·         Win prizes on our Tombola

·         Try your luck with our ‘Guess how many sweets in the jar’ game

·         Leave a message in memory of a loved one or send a message to cancer

We look forward to welcoming you to help us raise money for an extremely worthy cause.  Please forward this on to any colleagues you think will be interested.

Best wishes

The Library Team

WUTH publication: Uncommon ophthalmologic disorders in intensive care unit patients.

Citation: Journal of Critical Care, 2012, September 18.
Author: Grixti A, Sadri M, Datta AV
Abstract: Ophthalmologic complications are frequently encountered in intensive care unit (ICU) patients (Grixti et al. Ocul Surf 2012;10(1):26-42). However, eye care is often overlooked in the critical care setting or just limited to the ocular surface because treatment is focussed on the management of organ failures. Lack of awareness about other less common intraocular sight-threatening conditions may have a devastating effect on the patient's vision. To identify specific, frequently missed uncommon ocular disorders in ICU, a literature review using the keywords "Intensive Care," "Eye care," "ITU," "ICU," "Ophthalmological disorders," "Eye disorders" was performed. The databases of CINAHL, PuBMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched. The higher quality studies are summarized in the table with statements of methodology to clarify the level of evidence. The most prevalent ophthalmologic disorders identified in critically ill subjects include exposure keratopathy, chemosis, and microbial keratitis. In addition, uncommon eye disorders reported in ICU include metastatic endogenous endophthalmitis, acute primary angle closure, ischemic optic neuropathy, pupil abnormalities, vascular occlusions, and rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis. Early diagnosis and effective treatment will help to prevent visual loss.

Link to Pubmed record

For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service .

To view all WUTH publications please link here.

WUTH publication: Elective versus symptomatic intravenous antibiotic therapy for cystic fibrosis.

Citation: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), 2012, Jul 11,
Author: Breen L, Aswani N
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the commonest micro-organism associated with respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. Retrospective studies have suggested that using an aggressive policy of intravenous anti-pseudomonal antibiotics at regular intervals, irrespective of symptoms, increases survival.
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is evidence that an elective (regular) versus symptomatic intravenous antibiotic regimen is associated with an improvement in clinical status and survival rates in people with cystic fibrosis. To identify any adverse effects associated with the use of elective intravenous antibiotics, including an increase in the development of resistant organisms.
SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Date of the most recent search of the Group's Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register: 15 March 2012.
SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials describing the use of elective compared with symptomatic intravenous antibiotic policies for any duration or dose regimen. Elective versus symptomatic intravenous antibiotic regimens against any organisms were considered. People with cystic fibrosis of any age or disease severity were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both authors independently assessed trial eligibility and quality; both extracted the data.
MAIN RESULTS: Searches identified four studies. Two studies reporting results from a total of 79 participants were included in the review. Differences in study design and objectives meant that data could not be pooled for meta-analysis. Neither study demonstrated significant differences in outcome measures between intervention and comparison groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Studies are insufficient to identify conclusive evidence favouring a policy of elective intravenous antibiotic administration, despite its widespread use, neither are the potential risks adequately evaluated. The results should be viewed with caution, as participant numbers are small. Clearly there is a need for a well-designed, adequately-powered, multicentred randomised controlled trial to evaluate these issues.

Link to Pubmed record

For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service.

To view all WUTH publications please link here.

Oxford Specialist Handbooks FREE online

The library has purchased the Oxford Specialist Handbooks series.  These titles provide comprehensive but conscise introductions to a range of subjects.

There are 68 Oxford Specialist Handbooks, covering the following specialties:
Anaesthesia, Cardiology, Critical Care, End of Life Care, Neurology, Paediatrics, Pain Medicine, Psychiatry, Radiology and Surgery.

The list of titles and links to the full text can be accessed from the library catalogue.

You will need your NHS Athens Account to access the full text. If you haven’t registered for an NHS Athens account already, click here to link to our help-sheet to find out how to register.

Keep up to date with journal articles published by WUTH staff

A new feature on the library blog allows you to keep up to date with the latest publications by WUTH staff.

The library is collecting details of journal articles authored by WUTH staff as they are published on the Pubmed database. From July 2012 we are posting the details of each journal article on the library blog. As the collection of WUTH publications grows this will be a useful record of some of the research output of the Trust.

By subscribing to receive alerts from the library blog you will be alerted to new WUTH publications via email.

This alert is just one of several available to staff via the library’s Evidence Alerts service. The service aims to save you time by alerting you to the latest evidence and developments in your area of interest. You can also subscribe to a number of horizon scanning bulletins which will alert you to examples of good practice, innovation and potential future risk factors, covering a range of topics from cancer to infection control to end of life care.

To subscribe to the library blog and other Evidence Alerts, complete the subscription form.

For further details and support please contact the McArdle Library.

Tutorial for research / dissertation planning

Leeds University Library have launched a new online resource to support students working on their final year projects/dissertations. The Final Chapter: The Undergraduate Research Project Guide, covers a number of topics related to carrying out a final year research project, such as ‘planning and preparing your project’, ‘doing a literature review’ and ‘critical thinking and evaluation’. The resource includes some really great videos of staff and students from Leeds talking about final year projects, including their top tips for success.

The Final Chapter aims to help students develop their research skills so that they can undertake their final year project successfully, and contribute to them having a positive experience of research based learning.

WUTH publication: A rare congenital neck lump.

Citation: BMJ Case Reports, 2012 Sept 7,
Author: Owen R, Bowen J
Abstract: We describe the case and present a radiological image of a neck lump identified antenatally with ultrasound imaging. Postnatally a left-sided asymptomatic neck lump was identified in the left posterior triangle of the neck. Repeat ultrasound and CT imaging were arranged confirming a cyst adjacent to the cervical oesophagus and displacing the carotid sheath anteriorly. Complete cyst excision was achieved with no complications. Histological analysis identified a 30×22×20 mm cyst with a smooth muscle layer within the cyst wall and a lining of respiratory epithelium. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of cervical duplication cyst (CDC). Proximity to the carotid sheath and oesophagus can make CDC excision potentially dangerous hence preoperative CT scanning was useful to establish the anatomical relations of the cyst in this case.

Link to Pubmed record

For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service.

To view all WUTH publications please link here.

WUTH publication: Use of a sharps bin to provide lower limb traction.

Citation: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2012, Jul
Author: Kazi HA, Thomas TG

Link to Pubmed record

For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service.

To view all WUTH publications please link here.

WUTH publication: Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma (AACG): an important differential diagnosis for acute severe headache.

Citation: Acute Medicine, 2011, 10(2), 77-8
Author: Authors: Renton BJ, Bastawrous A
Abstract: Acute headache is a common presenting symptom in the acute medical unit. We present a case of Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma (AACG) presenting with acute severe headache. It highlights the importance of remembering this ophthalmologic emergency and reminds us of its clinical presentation. The rapid assessment and diagnosis of AACG allowed prompt treatment and likely prevented the patient from losing her vision.


Link to PubMed record.

For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service

To view all WUTH publications please link here

New search functionality for the Cochrane Library

On 15 September 2012, Wiley will be introducing an improved search interface for The Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Library contains a number of databases of the highest quality evidence including ‘gold standard’ systematic reviews and cost-effectiveness studies.

Users will see major changes to the layout of search pages and will soon be able to use new search features including:
• Auto-suggest features within both basic and MeSH search functions
• Updated display of search results and filtering options
• Ability to view search terms and results on the same page
• Ability to insert lines and add one search to one another
• Improved MeSH look-up feature
• Hover-over Tool Tips giving a brief explanation of the functions

More information is available online including a PowerPoint demonstration outlining the new features at: www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/ccochnewsearch.html