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The term technological fix, coined by technologist/administrator Alvin Weinberg in 1965, vaunted engineering innovation as a generic tool for circumventing problems commonly conceived as social, political, or cultural. A longtime Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, government consultant, and essayist, Weinberg also popularized the term big science to describe national goals and the competitive funding environment after the Second World War. Big science reoriented towards technological fixes, he argued, could provide a new \"Apollo project\" to address social problems of the future. His ideas-most recently echoed in \"solutionism\"-have channeled confidence and controversy ever since. This article traces the genesis and promotion of the concept by Weinberg and his contemporaries. It argues that, through the concept, the marginal politics and technological confidences of interwar scientists and technocrats were repositioned as mainstream notions closer to the heart of big science policy.

Background and ObjectivesOptimal surgical management for gastric cancer remains controversial. We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes after open gastrectomy (OG), laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG), and robotic gastrectomy (RG) for gastric cancer.MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases was undertaken. An NMA was performed as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-NMA guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using R and Shiny.ResultsTwenty-two RCTs including 6890 patients were included. Overall, 49.6% of patients underwent LAG (3420/6890), 46.6% underwent OG (3212/6890), and 3.7% underwent RG (258/6890). At NMA, there was a no significant difference in recurrence rates following LAG (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–1.49) compared with OG. Similarly, overall survival (OS) outcomes were identical following OG and LAG (OS: OG, 87.0% [1652/1898] vs. LAG: OG, 87.0% [1650/1896]), with no differences in OS in meta-analysis (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77–1.52). Importantly, patients undergoing LAG experienced reduced intraoperative blood loss, surgical incisions, distance from proximal margins, postoperative hospital stays, and morbidity post-resection.ConclusionsLAG was associated with non-inferior oncological and surgical outcomes compared with OG. Surgical outcomes following LAG and RG superseded OG, with similar outcomes observed for both LAG and RG. Given these findings, minimally invasive approaches should be considered for the resection of local gastric cancer, once surgeon and institutional expertise allows.

Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome ten (PTEN) is a lipid phosphatase tumor suppressor that is lost or inactivated in most human tumors. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) to form phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) and inorganic phosphate. Here, we report on the first continuous assay for the catalytic activity of PTEN. Using this assay, we demonstrate that human PTEN is activated by the reaction product PIP2, as well as in solutions of low salt concentration. This activation is abrogated in the K13A variant, which has a disruption in a putative binding site for PIP2. We also demonstrate that PTEN-L, which derives from alternative translation of the PTEN mRNA, is activated constitutively. These findings have implications for catalysis by PTEN in physiological environments and could expedite the development of PTEN-based chemotherapeutic agents.

IntroductionMesh-related complications following pelvic prolapse surgery has potentiated societal fear and led to increased investigation into mesh use in inguinal hernia repair (IHR) surgery online. However concern exists regarding the quality of Internet health informatics. The DISCERN Instrument and HONcode tool can be used to assess the quality and reliability of online health information. The aim of this study is to investigate the reliability and quality of online information pertaining to mesh use in IHR surgery using the DISCERN instrument and HONcode tool.MethodsAn Internet search using the keywords: ‘mesh’, ‘inguinal hernia’ and ‘surgery’ was carried out via Google, Yahoo, Bing, Facebook and Twitter. The HONcode and DISCERN scores were generated for each of the first ten search engine result pages (SERPs).ResultsGoogle provided the most reliable [Median HONcode score 77% (IQR 25.5%)] and highest quality information [Median DISCERN score; 61.5 (IQR 18.25)]. Social media yielded both the most unreliable and lowest quality information. Facebook was the most unreliable [Median HONcode score 21% (IQR 14.25%)], while Twitter imparted the lowest quality information [Median DISCERN score of 18.5 (IQR 25.25)].DiscussionA 2018 Cochrane review concluded the use of mesh in IHR to be safe and associated with superior outcomes. However, numerous SERPs present results contradicting this, based solely upon Level 5 evidence. Commercialisation of the Internet has resulted in search engine optimisation, which can permit lesser quality sites to obtain higher SERP ranking. Alarmingly if only a limited search is carried out by patients [4], lower quality, sensationalist evidence may be the only information they are exposed to. As such this may negatively influence the patient decision-making process detrimentally. However utilisation of social media by healthcare professionals may offer a solution to bridge the gap between the public and high quality medical information.ConclusionsOnline information regarding mesh repair of inguinal herniae is of variable quality and reliability. Enhanced quality assurance of online health information is necessary. However, increased presence by hernia societies on social media may help to disseminate high quality information to patients, thus enabling pre-hospital education to set the scene prior to formal hospital consultation.

Self-expanding metal stents have been used in the management of colorectal obstruction as an alternative to emergency surgery. Our aim was to systematically review the efficacy and safety of these stents in the setting of malignant colorectal obstruction. Both English and foreign language reports were identified from Medline, Embase, Cancerlit, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Library, and proceedings of relevant meetings. Data were collected on technical success, clinical success, and safety parameters. Fifty-four studies reported the use of stents in a total of 1,198 patients. The median technical and clinical success rates were 94% (i.q.r. 90-100) and 91% (i.q.r. 84-94), respectively. The clinical success when used as a bridge to surgery was 71.7%. Major complications related to stent placement included perforation (3.76%), stent migration (11.81%), and reobstruction (7.34%). Factors related to an increased complication risk were identified. Stent-related mortality was 0.58%. Limited available data suggest that this approach may be cost effective in the preoperative setting. Placement of self-expanding metal stents is an effective and safe definitive procedure in the palliation of malignant colorectal obstruction. In operable patients, it provides a useful option to avoid colostomy, by facilitating safer single-stage surgery.

Active bleeding is a clinical emergency that often requires swift action driven by efficient communication. Extravasation of intravenous (IV) contrast on computed tomography (CT) is a hallmark of active hemorrhage. This can be seen on exams performed for a variety of indications and can occur anywhere in the body. As both traumatic and non-traumatic etiologies of significant blood loss are clinical emergencies, exams demonstrating active bleeding are often performed in emergency departments and read by emergency radiologists. Prompt communication of these findings to the appropriate emergency medicine and surgical providers is crucial. Although many types of active hemorrhage can be managed by interventional radiology techniques, endoscopic and surgical management or clinical observation may be appropriate in certain cases. To facilitate optimal care, it is important for emergency radiologists to understand the scope of indications for embolization of bleeding by interventional radiologists (IR) and when an IR consultation is warranted. Similarly, timely comprehensive diagnostic radiology reporting including pertinent positive and negative findings tailored for IR colleagues can expedite the appropriate intervention.

The goal of emergency medical services (EMS) is to provide urgent medical care and stabilization prior to patient transport to a healthcare facility for definitive treatment. The number and variety of interventions performed in the field by EMS providers continues to grow as early management of severe injuries and critical illness in the pre-hospital setting has been shown to improve patient outcomes. The sequela of many field interventions, including those associated with airway management, emergent vascular access, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), patient immobilization, and hemorrhage control may be appreciated on emergency department admission imaging. Attention to these imaging findings is important for the emergency radiologist, who may be the first to identify a malpositioned device or an iatrogenic complication arising from pre-hospital treatment. Recognition of these findings may allow for earlier corrective action to be taken in the acute care setting. This review describes common EMS interventions and their imaging findings.

Background Harm reduction for people who use drugs (PWUD) is an established evidence-based practice that encompasses a wide variety of services, delivery formats, and settings and has been named a priority in US drug policy. Harm reduction is focused on planning with communities and meeting PWUD where they are and encompasses a wide variety of interventions. We describe and report the feasibility, acceptability, and process implementation outcomes for an innovative pilot drug overdose harm reduction intervention, Block-by-Block (BXB), focused on training for and distribution of naloxone and test strips in areas identified as high risk for fatal overdoses. Case presentation Beginning operations in 2022, BXB operates in five pilot sites in four Illinois counties. Through partnerships with local organizations, BXB delivers harm reduction services in a private setting (home) or in a setting not specifically focused on serving PWUD (businesses, libraries, faith-based organizations, etc.) to reach PWUD and their friends, family and neighbors living in areas disproportionately affected by opioid overdose death. The intervention theory is based on acknowledgement that harm reduction services that require PWUD to visit a mobile unit, van or community organization, may not reach those in need or their friends, neighbors, and family for a variety of reasons including stigma associated with drug use, lack of awareness about these services, or where to locate them. Services delivered include education and training in the use of naloxone and fentanyl, xylazine and benzodiazepine test strips. Leave behind materials include naloxone, test strips and handouts with information on the intervention and local resources. Conclusions Results to date indicate that this intervention is feasible –over half (55%) of the doors approached were answered. Acceptability of the intervention as delivered is high --people at 75% of doors that were answered were interested in and received training and/or supplies. BXB is flexible in that it has been quickly adapted to changes in community conditions, the drug supply, and shifting high risk areas as they developed. This is a promising intervention that leverages available data and resources and is readily implementable in communities with support from a central program administrator and access to geo-coded data.

Esophageal stent placement is commonly indicated for the management of inoperable esophageal malignancies, benign strictures, and esophageal perforations including Boerhaave's syndrome. We present a case of a 74-year-old female, who presented with small bowel obstruction secondary to a migrated esophageal stent, which was placed 20 weeks previously for Boerhaave's syndrome. She was surgically managed with laparotomy and retrieval of the fractured stent with local resection of the small bowel, followed by primary anastomosis.Esophageal stent placement is commonly indicated for the management of inoperable esophageal malignancies, benign strictures, and esophageal perforations including Boerhaave's syndrome. We present a case of a 74-year-old female, who presented with small bowel obstruction secondary to a migrated esophageal stent, which was placed 20 weeks previously for Boerhaave's syndrome. She was surgically managed with laparotomy and retrieval of the fractured stent with local resection of the small bowel, followed by primary anastomosis.