(i) University (student): Commenced medical research during the BA (Hons) Medical Sciences degree completed at Cambridge University. During this a pharmacology research project was carried out in Parke-Davis Neuroscience Research Centre. Experience was gained in literature review, medical statistics, frozen section histology, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and tissue dissection. Due to the success of the project this continued for a further 14 weeks in the summer vacation, which was funded and salaried by Parke- Davis, part of the Warner/Lambert group. (ii) University (Lecturer): Primary Research: Laboratory work in 2005-06 for a project entitled: ‘The Cellular Role of the Specific Immune System in Fracture Repair’. Several research grants towards costs and salary were achieved for this work and for ongoing work related to this project (detailed above). A year of full time research in the laboratory was completed in which I personally developed a novel murine model of closed fracture repair. This was used to investigate the specific immune system in bone healing using ‘knock-out’ genetically modified animals which had a deficient specific immune system. The results have been presented to several international meetings, as listed below. This work resulted in selection for the inaugural BORS/ORS Travelling Fellowship, during which the results were presented at high-profile orthopaedic research centres all around North America in a four week period. This project described a comprehensive knowledge of the role of the cells of the specific immune system in fracture repair. Following successful viva-voce examination on 13/2/2009, a thesis detailing this work has been awarded the degree PhD by the University of Edinburgh. I continue to have a role in the supervision of post-graduates working on laboratory osteo-immunology projects. (iii) Clinical: Several clinical studies have been conducted in the various departments in which I have worked in the past. Previous examples include risk factors and survivorship in arthroplasty and classification for adult DDH. These have resulted in the peer reviewed publications, abstracts and presentations listed below. My current areas of research interest lie in furthering understanding and developing techniques in paediatric orthopaedics, particularly with regard to neuromuscular disease and paediatric knee disorders. I have established links with colleagues in Switzerland, Australia and Glasgow and collaborations, studies and sharing of data is ongoing. I expect to continue to publish in this area throughout my career. I am currently working with colleagues in Scotland to establish C-PIPS (Cerebral palsy integrated pathway for Scotland), a comprehensive screening programme and research database for children with cerebral palsy in Scotland (the first of its kind in the UK). Expected to ‘go live’ early 2013. Peer reviewed publications: 1. “Lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in young children” Gaston MS & Huntley JS, Scottish Medical Journal, 2012 Aug;57(3):182. 2. “Hip flexion deformity improves without psoas-lengthening after surgical correction of fixed knee flexion deformity in spastic diplegia” Rutz E, Gaston MS, Camathias C, Brunner R. Hip International, 2012 Jul;22(4):379-86. 3. Distal femoral osteotomy using the LCP pediatric condylar 90-degree plate in patients with neuromuscular disorders. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2012 Apr-May;32(3):295-300. 4. “Massive osteochondritis of the lateral femoral condyle associated with discoid meniscus: Management with meniscoplasty, rim stabilisation and bioabsorable screw fixation.” Camathias C, Rutz E, Gaston MS. Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics B, Aug 3 2011. 5. “Transverse plane rotation of the foot and transverse hip and pelvic kinematics in diplegic cerebral palsy” Gaston MS, Rutz E, Dreher T, Brunner R. Gait & Posture, 2011 Jun;34(2):218-21. 6. “Severe septic arthritis of the shoulder in a 4 year old child.” Michelotti F, Camathias C, Gaston MS, Rutz E. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, 2011 Nov;16(6):821-4. 7. “Bioabsorbable lag screw fixation of knee osteochondritis dissecans in the skeletally immature.” Camathias C, Festring JD, Gaston MS. Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics B. 2011 Mar;20(2):74-80. 8. “Supracondylar stress fracture of the femur in a child.” Bachmann M, Gaston MS, Hefti F. Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics B. 2011 Mar;20(2):70-3. 9. “Pelvic reconstruction with non-vascularised fibular grafts after resection of bone tumours” Krieg AH, Lenze U, Gaston MS, Hefti F. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Br. 2010 Nov;92(11):1568-73. 10. “A new classification system for the adult dysplastic hip requiring total hip arthroplasty: A reliability study.” Gaston MS, Gaston P, Donaldson P, Howie CR. Hip International. 2009 Apr; 19(2) 145-151. 11. “The limping child” Gaston MS, Murray AW. The Foundation Years. 2008 Dec;4(8) 319-323. 12. “Pretibial subcutaneous soft tissue lesions presenting to a paediatric orthopaedic clinic.” Gaston MS, Murray AW, Porter DE. Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics B. 2008 Nov;17(6):311-4.
13. “Association between decreased bone mineral density and severity of distal radial fractures.” Clayton RA, Gaston MS, Ralston SH, Court-Brown CM, McQueen, MM. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am. 2009 Mar 1;91(3):613-9. 14. “Spontaneous compartment syndrome in association with simvastatin-induced myositis.” Walker JL, Smith GH, Gaston MS, Robinson CM. Emergency Medical Journal. 2008 May;25(5):305-6. 15. “Cardiac disease and total hip arthroplasty.” Gaston MS. The Surgeon. 2008 April; 6(2): 127-8. 16. “Inhibition of Fracture Healing.” Gaston MS, Simpson AHRW. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Br. 2007 Dec;89(12):1553-60.
17. “Does a History of Cardiac Disease or Hypertension Increase Mortality following Primary Elective Total Hip Arthroplasty?” Gaston MS, Amin A, Clayton RA, Brenkel IJ. Surgeon. 2007 Oct;5(5):260-5. 18. “Intra-articular Hip Viscosupplementation with Synthetic Hyaluronic Acid for Osteoarthritis: Efficacy, Safety and Relation to Pre-Injection Radiographs.” Gaston MS, Tiemessen CH, Phillips JE. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. 2007 Dec;127(10):899-903. 19. “A study of Bilateral Versus Unilateral Total Hip Replacements in Patients with symptoms from both hips.” Gaston M, Amin A, Hannah HM, Brenkel IJ. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology 2007. 17(1):57-60. 20. “Total knee replacement in morbidly obese patients: Results of a prospective, matched study.” Amin AK, Clayton RA, Patton JT, Gaston M, Cook RE, Brenkel IJ. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Br. 2006 Oct;88(10):1321-6. 21. “Five-year results of the Sigma total knee arthroplasty.” Clayton RA, Amin AK, Gaston MS, Brenkel IJ. Knee. 2006 Oct;13(5):359-64. 22. “Unicompartmental or total knee arthroplasty?: Results from a matched study.” Amin AK, Patton JT, Cook RE, Gaston M, Brenkel IJ. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2006 Oct;451:101-6. 23. “Should Plastic Surgery experience be an integral part of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Training?” Gaston MS, Amin A, Stewart K. Journal of Medical Education. 2005 Mar;39(3):345-346. 24. “A survey of surgical management of the axilla in UK breast cancer patients.” Gaston MS and Dixon JM. European Journal of Cancer. 2004 Jul;40(11):1738-42. 25. “Hormone Receptor Status in Primary Breast Cancer – Time for a Consensus?” Wishart GC, Gaston M, Poultsidis A, Purushotham AD. European Journal of Cancer. 2002 Jun;38(9):1201-3.
26. “Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration: An unusual presentation of breast carcinoma.” Gaston M, Jadav A, Bobrow L, Purushotham AD. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2001 Sep;27(6):606-7 . Invited publications:
1. BOA European Travelling Scholarship – A report on a year in Switzerland. British Orthopaedic News, autumn edition 2010. 2. Orthopaedics International, May 2007. Report on research presentation to American Orthopaedic Research Society. 3. Contributor to “Surgeon’s Edinburgh”, special publication as part of quincentenary celebrations of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, August 2006. 4. Surgeons News (RCSEd) article: “Strengthening the bones of Academic Orthopaedics” Issue 5.3, July 2006.
Manuscripts in submission / preparation:
“The Stanisavljevic procedure for patello-femoral instability – A long term outcome study.” Camathias C, Goetz M, Gaston MS. In preparation. “The specific immune system and fracture repair” Gaston MS, Noble BS, Simpson AHRW. In preparation. Honours / Awards
1. Joint Action Travelling Fellowship (administered by British Orthopaedic Association) - £5000 grant awarded for clinical fellowship Basel, Switzerland for year of July 09 – July 2010.
2. RI Stirling Fellowship award - £3900 grant - fellowship Basel, Switzerland July 09 – July 2010.
3. Edinburgh Orthopaedic Club clinical travelling fellowship: 2 week visit to centres in USA including Chicago and Grand Rapids and attendance at AAOS, Las Vegas. 22 Feb – 6 Mar 2009.
4. Cutner / Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Travelling Fellowship - £1500 grant awarded for clinical fellowship Basel, Switzerland for year of July 09 – July 2010.
5. JIP James Memorial medal in Orthopaedics and Trauma, Edinburgh. December 2007.
6. Inaugural BORS/ORS Travelling Fellowship: 4 week travelling fellowship to present research at orthopaedic centres in North America including UCSF, Mayo clinic, U Penn, Jefferson, Hospital for Special Surgery-NY and Mass General, Boston. 21 Oct – 18 Nov 2007.
7. BORS/BOTA prize at the BOA: 2nd place, best presentation (“The effect of knock-out of T and B cells in fracture repair”), Manchester. 26 September 2007.
8. Roy Petrie Memorial Prize for best presentation, Queen Margaret Hospital, Fife. 12 June 2007.
9. RI Stirling award for travel to 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Research Society, San Deigo, to present research. February 2007.
10. Awarded prize for best poster, (“Deficiency of the specific immune system enhances fracture repair in-vivo”). Pan-Celtic Orthopaedic meeting. June 2006.
11. RI Stirling award for travel to International Conference on Osteoimmunology, Crete, to present research. May 2006.
12. Borders General Hospital: Chairman’s Prize for best presentation. December 2005.
13. Winner of Glaxo Wellcome Medical Fellowship Elective Award. May 1999.
14. Downing College Scholarship for Elective Medical Studies. March 1999. Research Grants Awarded
Mar 2008 Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care Foundation Research Grant: for “Do
Bisphosphonates inhibit Direct Osteonal (but not Indirect) Fracture Healing?” ($50,000 Personnel / consumables).
Feb 2008 RCSEd: Small Research Support Grant “Do Bisphosphonates inhibit Direct
Osteonal (but not Indirect) Fracture Healing?” (£10,000 consumables).
Dec 2007 Grant for consumables, Roche™, F Bausch (~15,000 CHF) “A proposal to
investigate the effect of Ibandronate on direct fracture healing in rat tibia”.
Sept 2006 RCSEd: Small Research Support Grant, for “T lymphocytes have an essential
role in normal bone fracture repair” (£5800, consumables).
Mar 2006 Awarded Postgraduate Staff Scholarship, Edinburgh University for PhD annual
Dec 2005 Awarded Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh / Cutner Orthopaedic
Fellowship for 1 year’s primary research in Orthopaedics – “The immune system has a pivotal role in the process of fracture repair”. (£45,000 salary).
Aug 2005 RCSEd: Pump Priming Support Grant for “The immune system has a pivotal role
in the process of fracture repair”. (£6000 consumables).
Peer review I currently provide review of submitted papers for the following journals:
The Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics (2010 onwards) – Editorial Board The Journal of Orthopaedic Research (2007 onwards) The Journal of Medical Education (2005 onwards)
Grant review: On grant review panel for National Institute for Health Research (NHS). Peer reviewed abstracts:
“Selective depletion of T lymphocytes in the study of fracture repair” Phillips SA, Gaston MS, Noble B, Simpson AHRW. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery – Br, May 2009; 91-B: 295.
“The association of rheumatoid arthritis and non-union of traumatic fractures” Phillips SA, MacPherson G, Gaston MS, Noble BS, Simpson H. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery – Br, Mar 2009; 91-B: 113.
“Does a history of cardiac disease or hypertension increase mortality following primary elective total hip arthroplasty?” Gaston MS, Amin AK, Clayton RA, Brenkel I. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery – Br, Mar 2009; 91-B: 103.
“Deficiency of the specific immune system enhances fracture repair in vivo” Gaston MS, Noble BS, Simpson AHRW. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, July 2008 Vol 90-B: 365.
“Enhanced fracture repair in-vivo in the absence of the specific immune system” Gaston MS, Noble BS, Simpson AHRW. Transactions to Orthopaedic Research Society Vol.32, Number 357 San Diego 2007.
“Total knee replacement in morbidly obese patients: results of a prospective matched study” Amin AK, Clayton RAE, Patton JT, Gaston M, Cook R, Brenkel I. British Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2008.
“Five-year follow-up of the PFC sigma total knee arthroplasty” Clayton RAE, Amin A, Gaston M, and Brenkel IJ. British Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery May 2006; 88-B: 253.
“Unicompartmental or total knee replacement? A direct comparative study of survivorship and clinical outcome at five years” Amin AK, Patton JT, Cook RE, Gaston M, Brenkel I. British Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. March 2006; 88-B: 100.
“A Study of Bilateral Versus Unilateral Total Hip Replacements in Patients with symptoms from both hips”. Gaston M, Hannah HM, Brenkel I. British Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2005; 87-B:45.
“Survivorship and quality of outcome after uni-compartmental and total knee replacement in comparable patients: five-year results.” Patton JT, Amin A, Gaston M, Cook RE, Brenkel I. British Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 2005; 87-B: 343.
“Does a history of coronary disease or hypertension increase mortality following total hip arthroplasty?” Gaston M, Sales J, Amin A, Clayton R, Brenkel I. Published in supplement to The Pan Arab Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma (6/7/8 December 2005).
“Bilateral Versus Unilateral Total Hip Replacements in Patients with symptoms from both hips” Gaston M, Hannah HM, Clayton R, Brenkel I. XXIII SICOT/SIROT Triennial World Congress Istanbul 5-9 September 2005, on-line publication: www.sicot.org/abtractview.
“Unicompartmental or total knee replacement?” Amin A, Patton JT, Cook RE, Gaston M, Brenkel I. 7th EFORT Annual Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, June 4-7, 2005. On line publication: http://efort.org/E/05/sessions/default.html
“Five Year Results of the Sigma Total Knee Arthroplasty”. Clayton RAE, Amin A, Gaston M, Brenkel IJ. XXIII SICOT/SIROT Triennial World Congress Istanbul 5-9 September 2005. On line publication at www.sicot.org/abtractview.
“Survivorship and clinical outcome after unicompartmental and total knee replacement in comparable patients: five-year results”. Amin AK, Patton JT, Cook RE, Gaston M, Brenkel I. www.sicot.org/abtractview, Havana AIC 2004, Abstract reference: TM2-002 (web publication).
“Survey of management of the axilla in breast cancer by specialist breast surgeons” Gaston M and Dixon JM. Abstract. Eur J Cancer 2003 Sept;1(4):22-23. “Survey of management of the axilla in breast cancer by specialist breast surgeons” Gaston M and Dixon JM. Abstract. British Journal of Surgery 2003 Jun; 90 Supp 1:42.
Presentations to learned societies:
E-poster presentation to European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society: “Transverse plane rotation of the foot and transverse hip and pelvic kinematics in diplegic cerebral palsy”. 7-9 April 2011. Oral presentation: “The effect of knock-out of T and B cells in fracture repair”. British Orthopaedic Association second podium prize at BOTA/BORS session, Manchester. 26 September 2007.
Poster presentation: “The pathological anatomy of the trochanteric femoral fracture”. 8th EFORT Congress, Florence, Italy. 11-15 May 2007.
Oral presentation: “Does a history of cardiac disease or hypertension increase mortality following primary elective total hip arthroplasty?” 8th EFORT Congress, Florence, Italy. 14 May 2007.
E-Poster presentation: “Enhanced fracture repair in-vivo in the absence of the specific immune system”. 8th EFORT Congress, Florence, Italy. 11-15 May 2007.
Oral presentation “The association of rheumatoid arthritis and non-union of traumatic fractures”. 8th EFORT Congress, Florence, Italy. 14 May 2007.
Oral presentation “Enhanced fracture repair in-vivo in the absence of the specific immune system” American Orthopaedic Research Society, San Diego. 12th February 2007 (Presented as poster also).
Poster presentation “Deficiency of the Specific Immune System Enhances Fracture Repair in-vivo” British Orthopaedic Association, Glasgow. Sept 27 – 29, 2006.
Oral presentation “Deficiency of the Specific Immune System Enhances Fracture Repair in-vivo” British Orthopaedic Research Society, Southampton. 5th July 2006.
Oral Presentation "Does a history of coronary disease or hypertension increase mortality following total hip arthroplasty?" British Orthopaedic Association, Glasgow. 28th Sept 2006.
Poster presentation “Deficiency of the Specific Immune System Enhances Fracture Repair in-vivo” Pan-Celtic Orthopaedic meeting, Ayrshire. 15th – 16th June 2006 – awarded best poster prize.
Oral presentation “Deficiency of the Specific Immune System Enhances Fracture Repair in-vivo” 1st International Conference on Osteoimmunology: Interactions of the Immune and Skeletal Systems, Crete. May 28 - June 2, 2006.
Oral Presentation “Intra-articular Hip Viscosupplementation with Synthetic Hyaluronic Acid for Osteoarthritis: Efficacy, Safety and Relation to Pre-Injection Radiographs”. Chairman’s Prize meeting, Borders General Hospital (awarded best presentation prize). 16th December 2005.
Oral Presentation "Does a history of coronary disease or hypertension increase mortality following total hip arthroplasty?" 10th GCC & 11th Pan Arab Orthopaedic Associations Combined Congress, Bahrain. 7th December 2005.
Oral Presentation “Bilateral Versus Unilateral Total Hip Replacements in Patients with symptoms from both hips” XXIII SICOT/SIROT Triennial World Congress, Istanbul 5th - 9th September 2005.
Poster Presentation “A study of Bilateral Versus Unilateral Total Hip Replacements in Patients with symptoms from both hips” British Hip Society Annual Meeting 2004, Sheffield. 4th & 5th March 2004.
Oral Presentation “Survey of management of the axilla in breast cancer by specialist breast surgeons” 8th Nottingham International Breast Cancer Conference, East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham. 18th September 2003.
Oral Presentation “Survey of management of the axilla in breast cancer by specialist breast surgeons” to Annual Scientific Meeting of Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Manchester 2003. 8th May 2003.
What's in a Good Medical Kit? Howard Donner, MD Organizing medical equipment for an expedition requires an enormous amount ofplanning and forethought. No matter how much equipment is hauled in, onecannot possibly prepare for every eventuality. What should one take? There is a wide range of opinions, from "nothing but atriangular bandage and Swiss army knife" to a collection that would