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This report discusses the use of a novel compression therapy in a patient with severe chronic hypoesthetic Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. After commencing use of the device, the patient who previously was insensate in his feet, and as a result had balance and ambulation issues had a significant resolution of his symptoms.

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is currently considered the best overall index of kidney function. The possibility that laboratories might routinely report an estimated GFR has become practically feasible with the development of a formula, the “four-variable” Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD) equation that uses age, sex, race, and serum creatinine parameters. However, a limitation of this equation for general implementation in healthcare is related to the use of differently calibrated creatinine measurement procedures among laboratories. The only way to achieve universal implementation of the GFR prediction equation, with the associated clinical benefits for patients, is, therefore, to promote worldwide standardization of methods to determine creatinine, together with the introduction of a revised GFR-estimating equation appropriate for use with standardized creatinine methods.Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:1287–92.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 (or basic FGF) is expressed at increased levels in human prostate cancer. FGF2 can promote cell motility and proliferation, increase tumor angiogenesis, and inhibit apoptosis, all of which play an important role in tumor progression. To determine whether FGF2 plays a critical role in prostate cancer progression, we have used the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model system. A high percentage of TRAMP mice develop metastatic prostate cancer, and thus the TRAMP model is useful for evaluating cancer progression. TRAMP mice were crossed with FGF2 knockout (FGF2(-/-)) mice, and tumor progression in TRAMP mice that were either hemi- or homozygous for inactivation of the FGF2 allele was compared with progression in wild-type TRAMP mice. Inactivation of even one FGF2 allele resulted in increased survival, a decrease in metastasis, and inhibition of progression to the poorly differentiated phenotype in primary prostatic tumors. When compared with wild-type mice, poorly differentiated tumors arising in FGF(+/-) and FGF(-/-) mice expressed higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and, in some cases, increased levels of acidic FGF intracellular binding protein, a nuclear FGF1-binding protein. These findings suggest that both FGF2-mediated angiogenesis and intranuclear FGF2 activities may promote tumor progression and support the hypothesis that FGF2 plays a significant role in prostate cancer progression in vivo.

The impact of Covid-19 makes provision of mental health care in prisons particularly challenging. The current impact on staff and prisoners is significant. Staff are under pressure to make ongoing adaptions to how they work and the interventions they are able to offer, whilst increased time spent in lock down and a reduction in services is having a negative effect on the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners. The potential for longer term deleterious consequences is also great given the currently high levels of psychological distress. Clinical psychologists could be invaluable in supporting staff and adaptations to services so support is maintained, but providing this increased level of support within an already stretched system is challenging, particularly given that prisons are predominantly staffed by forensic rather than clinical psychologists. The need for an adequate level of clinical psychology provision within prisons may never have been greater.