Non-invasive methods of monitoring FeO magnetic nanoparticle toxicity in human liver HepaRG cells using impedance biosensing and Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopic (CARS) microscopy.

Functionalized nanoparticles have been developed for use in nanomedicines for treating life threatening diseases including various cancers. To ensure safe use of these new nanoscale reagents, various assays for biocompatibility or cytotoxicity in vitro using cell lines often serve as preliminary assessments prior to in vivo animal testing. However, many of these assays were designed for soluble, colourless materials and may not be suitable for coloured, non-transparent nanoparticles.

Single-incision mini-slings versus standard synthetic mid-urethral slings for surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: The SIMS RCT.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence is the most common type of urinary incontinence in premenopausal women. Until recently, synthetic mid-urethral slings (mesh/tape) were the standard surgical treatment, if conservative management failed. Adjustable anchored single-incision mini-slings are newer, use less mesh and may reduce perioperative morbidity, but it is unclear how their success rates and safety compare with those of standard tension-free mid-urethral slings.

Photodynamic versus white-light-guided resection of first-diagnosis non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: PHOTO RCT.

Background: Around 7500 people are diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the UK annually. Recurrence following transurethral resection of bladder tumour is common, and the intensive monitoring schedule required after initial treatment has associated costs for patients and the NHS. In photodynamic diagnosis, before transurethral resection of bladder tumour, a photosensitiser that is preferentially absorbed by tumour cells is instilled intravesically.

Synthetic sling or artificial urinary sphincter for men with urodynamic stress incontinence after prostate surgery: the MASTER non-inferiority RCT.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence is common in men after prostate surgery and can be difficult to improve. Implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter is the most common surgical procedure for persistent stress urinary incontinence, but it requires specialist surgical skills, and revisions may be necessary. In addition, the sphincter is relatively expensive and its operation requires adequate patient dexterity.

Assessment of Walking Speed and Distance Post-Stroke Increases After Providing a Theory-Based Toolkit.

Background And Purpose: While underutilized, poststroke administration of the 10-m walk test (10mWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can improve care and is considered best practice. We aimed to evaluate provision of a toolkit designed to increase use of these tests by physical therapists (PTs).

Methods: In a before-and-after study, 54 PTs and professional leaders in 9 hospitals were provided a toolkit and access to a clinical expert over a 5-month period.

Shockwave lithotripsy compared with ureteroscopic stone treatment for adults with ureteric stones: the TISU non-inferiority RCT.

Background: Urinary stone disease affects 2-3% of the general population. Ureteric stones are associated with severe pain and can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Most ureteric stones are expected to pass spontaneously with supportive care; however, between one-fifth and one-third of patients require an active intervention.

Factors That Influence the Clinical Implementation of Aerobic Exercise in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Theory-Informed Qualitative Study.

Objective: Best practice guidelines recommend that aerobic exercise (AEx) be implemented as early as possible poststroke, yet the prescription of AEx remains limited in stroke rehabilitation settings. This study used theoretical frameworks to obtain an in-depth understanding of barriers and enablers to AEx implementation in the stroke rehabilitation setting.

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted.

Primary trabeculectomy versus primary glaucoma eye drops for newly diagnosed advanced glaucoma: TAGS RCT.

Background: Patients diagnosed with advanced primary open-angle glaucoma are at a high risk of lifetime blindness. Uncertainty exists about whether primary medical management (glaucoma eye drops) or primary surgical treatment (augmented trabeculectomy) provide the best and safest patient outcomes.

Objectives: To compare primary medical management with primary surgical treatment (augmented trabeculectomy) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma presenting with advanced disease in terms of health-related quality of life, clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Use of a Novel EEG-Based Objective Test, the Cognalyzer, in Quantifying the Strength and Determining the Action Time of Cannabis Psychoactive Effects and Factors that May Influence Them Within an Observational Study Framework.

Introduction: Current methods to detect recent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use cannot objectively quantify its psychoactive effects (PE). The Cognalyzer, an electroencephalography (EEG)-based method, detects and quantifies the strength of THC-induced PE on a scale from 0 to 100%. This study assesses the relationship between the magnitude of Cognalyzer PE predictions and reported subjective drug effects for 4-h post-cannabis inhalation.

Experiences of Physical Therapists and Professional Leaders With Implementing a Toolkit to Advance Walking Assessment Poststroke: A Realist Evaluation.

Objective: The iWalk study showed significant increase in use of the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) poststroke following provision of a toolkit. This paper examined the influence of contextual circumstances on use of the toolkit and implementation strategy across acute care and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings.

Methods: A theory-based toolkit and implementation strategy was designed to support guideline recommendations to use standardized tools for evaluation of walking, education, and goal-setting poststroke.

Level of exoskeleton support influences shoulder elevation, external rotation and forearm pronation during simulated work tasks in females.

Despite growing literature, limited research details the influence of passive upper limb exoskeletons on upper limb kinematics. Two bolting tasks and a tracing task were completed at two heights (overhead and between waist and overhead height) for four exoskeleton conditions (no exoskeleton, and 3 levels of exoskeleton assistance) by female participants. Motion capture data, ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort, and task duration were recorded.

Electrospun fibre diameter and its effects on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Bypass grafting is a technique used in the treatment of vascular disease, which is currently the leading cause of mortality worldwide. While technology has moved forward over the years, synthetic grafts still show significantly lower rates of patency in small diameter bypass operations compared to the gold standard (autologous vessel grafts). Scaffold morphology plays an important role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) performance, with studies showing how fibre alignment and surface roughness can modulate phenotypic and genotypic changes.

A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave L-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult Population.

Introduction: Stress is a complex life occurrence essential for survival and goal achievement but can be damaging in excess. Because of the high prevalence of stress in North America, a safe supplement that effectively reduces stress is in demand. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of AlphaWave L-Theanine on whole-scalp and frontal alpha power, midline theta power, and salivary cortisol in healthy, moderately stressed adults.

Primary trabeculectomy for advanced glaucoma: pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial (TAGS).

Objective: To determine whether primary trabeculectomy or primary medical treatment produces better outcomes in term of quality of life, clinical effectiveness, and safety in patients presenting with advanced glaucoma.

Design: Pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Setting: 27 secondary care glaucoma departments in the UK.

Higher body mass index and body fat percentage correlate to lower joint and functional strength in working age adults.

As the prevalence of obesity grows worldwide, it becomes an increasing concern in working populations. Ergonomists are faced with the challenge of accommodating workplace layouts to include this worker demographic. This study investigated the relationship between shoulder and low back isometric joint strengths across body mass index (BMI) groups.

Provision of the progestogen-only pill by community pharmacies as bridging contraception for women receiving emergency contraception: the Bridge-it RCT.

Introduction: Unless women start effective contraception after using emergency contraception, they remain at risk of unintended pregnancy. Most women in the UK obtain emergency contraception from community pharmacies that are unable to provide ongoing contraception (apart from barrier methods which have high failure rates). This means that women need an appointment with a general practitioner or at a sexual and reproductive health clinic.

Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy of a Novel EEG-Based Objective Test, the Cognalyzer, in Detecting Cannabis Psychoactive Effects.

Introduction: Current standards for identifying recent cannabis use are based on body fluid testing. The Cognalyzer is a novel electroencephalography (EEG) measurement device and algorithm designed to objectively characterize brainwave alterations associated with cannabis. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity levels of the Cognalyzer to characterize brainwave alterations following cannabis inhalation.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with observation/conservative management for preventing recurrent symptoms and complications in adults with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones (C-Gall trial).

Background: Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis) is common. In most people it is asymptomatic and does not require treatment, but in about 20% it can become symptomatic, causing pain and other complications requiring medical attention and/or surgery. A proportion of symptomatic people with uncomplicated gallstone disease do not experience further episodes of pain and, therefore, could be treated conservatively.

Examining the effectiveness of different dental recall strategies on maintenance of optimum oral health: the INTERVAL dental recalls randomised controlled trial.

Objective To compare the clinical effectiveness of different frequencies of dental recall over a four-year period.Design A multi-centre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded clinical outcome assessment. Participants were randomised to receive a dental check-up at six-monthly, 24-monthly or risk-based recall intervals.

The role of theory to develop and evaluate a toolkit to increase clinical measurement and interpretation of walking speed and distance in adults post-stroke.

Purpose: The iWalk study showed that 10-meter walk test (10mWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) administration post-stroke increased among physical therapists (PTs) following introduction of a toolkit comprising an educational guide, mobile app, and video. We describe the use of theory guiding toolkit development and a process evaluation.

Materials And Methods: We used the knowledge-to-action framework to identify research steps; and a guideline implementability framework, self-efficacy theory, and the transtheoretical model to design and evaluate the toolkit and implementation process (three learning sessions).

Erratum to "Changing the tone of clinical study design in the cannabis industry".

[This corrects the article on p. 4 in vol. 11, PMID: 32104589.

Basic versus biofeedback-mediated intensive pelvic floor muscle training for women with urinary incontinence: the OPAL RCT.

Background: Urinary incontinence affects one in three women worldwide. Pelvic floor muscle training is an effective treatment. Electromyography biofeedback (providing visual or auditory feedback of internal muscle movement) is an adjunct that may improve outcomes.

Risk-based, 6-monthly and 24-monthly dental check-ups for adults: the INTERVAL three-arm RCT.

Background: Traditionally, patients are encouraged to attend dental recall appointments at regular 6-month intervals, irrespective of their risk of developing dental disease. Stakeholders lack evidence of the relative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different recall strategies and the optimal recall interval for maintenance of oral health.

Objectives: To test effectiveness and assess the cost-benefit of different dental recall intervals over a 4-year period.