Glucocorticoid prescribing in neurology.

Glucocorticoids are commonly used for neurological disorders, but they can have significant adverse effects, including adrenal insufficiency, hyperglycaemia, osteoporosis and increased infection risk. Long-term use of corticosteroids requires the prescriber to plan risk mitigation, including monitoring and often coprescribing. This article highlights the potential risks of corticosteroid prescribing and draws together up-to-date guidance with multispecialty input to clarify ways of reducing those risks.

Using the Triangle of Human Ecology for understanding self-rated depression: a quantitative study based on the HUNT 3 cohort.

Aims: To test the Triangle of Human Ecology by examining associations between unipolar depression and different measures of human biological factors, health behaviour, and the physical environment.

Methods: Data originate from the third wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (2006-2008). The survey was based on a random sample of 50,000 Norwegians (response rate: 54%).

Initial Clinical Laboratory Response to COVID-19: A Survey of Medical Laboratory Professionals.

Objective: To explore the experiences of medical laboratory professionals (MLPs) and their perceptions of the needs of clinical laboratories in response to COVID-19.

Methods: We surveyed laboratory professionals working in United States clinical laboratories during the initial months of the pandemic.

Results: Overall clinical laboratory testing and overtime work for laboratorians decreased during the first months of the pandemic.

Long-Term Assessment of Lurasidone in Schizophrenia: Post Hoc Analysis of a 12-Month, Double Blind, Active-Controlled Trial and 6-Month Open-Label Extension Study.

Introduction: A post hoc analysis of a double-blind (DB) active control trial and an open-label extension (OLE) study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of lurasidone in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: In the DB trial, patients were randomised to receive lurasidone or risperidone for 12 months. In OLE, all patients received lurasidone for an additional 6 months.

A whole family-based physical activity promotion intervention: findings from the families reporting every step to health (FRESH) pilot randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a theory-based child-led family physical activity (PA) intervention delivered online. We also assessed the preliminary effectiveness of the intervention on outcomes of interest and whether pre-specified criteria were met to progress to a full-scale definitive trial.

Methods: In a three-armed randomised pilot trial, 41 families (with a 7-11-year-old index child) were allocated to a: 'family' (FAM), 'pedometer-only' (PED), or a no-treatment control (CON) arm.

Residential neighbourhood greenspace is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Living in a greener neighbourhood may reduce the risk of developing incident cardiovascular disease, but evidence is limited by reliance on cross-sectional comparisons. We use data from a longitudinal study with a time-independent measure of risk to explore the association between exposure to greenspace and cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Data was from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Norfolk UK cohort, baseline 1993-1997 (n = 24,420).

Whole family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health pilot randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Family-based physical activity (PA) interventions present a promising avenue to promote children's activity; however, high-quality experimental research is lacking. This paper describes the protocol for the FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health) pilot trial, a child-led family-based PA intervention delivered online.

Methods And Analysis: FRESH is a three-armed, parallel-group, randomised controlled pilot trial using a 1:1:1 allocation ratio with follow-up assessments at 8 and 52 weeks postbaseline.

A 3-year review of MRI safety incidents within a UK independent sector provider of diagnostic services.

A review of MRI safety incidents conducted over a 3-year period for a large independent sector diagnostic imaging provider in the UK. The review took a systematic approach using reports logged on an internal incident reporting system that were then categorised and analysed for themes and trends. Notable cases and actions taken are also described from within the period.

Feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial to investigate the treatment of sarcoidosis-associated fatigue with methylphenidate (FaST-MP): a study protocol.

Introduction: Fatigue is a frequent and troublesome manifestation of chronic sarcoidosis. This symptom can be debilitating and difficult to treat, with poor response to the treatment. Symptomatic management with neurostimulants, such as methylphenidate, is a possible treatment option.

The association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes in a large cross-sectional study in Leicester: The CHAMPIONS Study.

Background: Observational evidence suggests there is an association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes; however, there is high risk of bias.

Objective: To investigate the association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes, while reducing bias due to exposure assessment, outcome assessment, and confounder assessment.

Methods: Data were collected from 10,443 participants in three diabetes screening studies in Leicestershire, UK.

Is foreign direct investment good for health in low and middle income countries? An instrumental variable approach.

There is a scarcity of quantitative research into the effect of FDI on population health in low and middle income countries (LMICs). This paper investigates the relationship using annual panel data from 85 LMICs between 1974 and 2012. When controlling for time trends, country fixed effects, correlation between repeated observations, relevant covariates, and endogeneity via a novel instrumental variable approach, we find FDI to have a beneficial effect on overall health, proxied by life expectancy.

Neighbourhood greenspace is associated with a slower decline in physical activity in older adults: A prospective cohort study.

Maintaining physical activity in later life is important for maintaining health and function. Activity outdoors, such as walking, jogging and cycling, may provide an accessible, sociable and practical solution, but maintaining outdoor mobility may be a challenge in later life. Providing green environments which are supportive of physical activity may facilitate this, yet research into how greenspace could be best used is inconclusive.

Residential neighbourhood greenspace is associated with reduced risk of incident diabetes in older people: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Three cross sectional studies suggest that neighbourhood greenspace may protect against incident diabetes. This study uses data from a longitudinal study with a large sample size to investigate the association between greenspace and the occurrence of incident diabetes over time.

Methods: Data was from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Norfolk, UK, cohort, recruitment 1993-2007 (N = 23,865).

Perceived and Objectively Measured Environmental Correlates of Domain-Specific Physical Activity in Older English Adults.

We examine the relative importance of both objective and perceived environmental features for physical activity in older English adults. Self-reported physical activity levels of 8,281 older adults were used to compute volumes of outdoor recreational and commuting activity. Perceptions of neighborhood environment supportiveness were drawn from a questionnaire survey and a geographical information system was used to derive objective measures.

The relationship between international trade and non-nutritional health outcomes: A systematic review of quantitative studies.

Markets throughout the world have been reducing barriers to international trade and investment in recent years. The resulting increases in levels of international trade and investment have subsequently generated research interest into the potential population health impact. We present a systematic review of quantitative studies investigating the relationship between international trade, foreign direct investment and non-nutritional health outcomes.

Are GIS-modelled routes a useful proxy for the actual routes followed by commuters?

Active commuting offers the potential to increase physical activity among adults by being built into daily routines. Characteristics of the route to work may influence propensity to walk or cycle. Geographic information system (GIS) software is often used to explore this by modelling routes between home and work.

Community environment, cognitive impairment and dementia in later life: results from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study.

Background: Few studies have investigated the impact of the community environment, as distinct from area deprivation, on cognition in later life. This study explores cross-sectional associations between cognitive impairment and dementia and environmental features at the community level in older people.

Method: The postcodes of the 2,424 participants in the year-10 interview of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study in England were mapped into small area level geographical units (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) and linked to environmental data in government statistics.

Improving access to high-quality primary care for socioeconomically disadvantaged older people in rural areas: a mixed method study protocol.

Introduction: The UK has an ageing population, especially in rural areas, where deprivation is high among older people. Previous research has identified this group as at high risk of poor access to healthcare. The aim of this study is to generate a theory of how socioeconomically disadvantaged older people from rural areas access primary care, to develop an intervention based on this theory and test it in a feasibility trial.

Signature properties of water: Their molecular electronic origins.

Water challenges our fundamental understanding of emergent materials properties from a molecular perspective. It exhibits a uniquely rich phenomenology including dramatic variations in behavior over the wide temperature range of the liquid into water's crystalline phases and amorphous states. We show that many-body responses arising from water's electronic structure are essential mechanisms harnessed by the molecule to encode for the distinguishing features of its condensed states.

Hydrogen bonding and molecular orientation at the liquid-vapour interface of water.

We determine the molecular structure and orientation at the liquid-vapour interface of water using an electronically coarse grained model constructed to include all long-range electronic responses within Gaussian statistics. The model, fit to the properties of the isolated monomer and dimer, is sufficiently responsive to generate the temperature dependence of the surface tension from ambient conditions to the critical point. Acceptor hydrogen bonds are shown to be preferentially truncated at the free surface under ambient conditions and a related asymmetry in hydrogen bonding preference is identified in bulk water.

Independent mobility on the journey to school: A joint cross-sectional and prospective exploration of social and physical environmental influences.

Background: Despite related physical/mental health benefits, children's independent mobility for school travel (i.e. walking/cycling without adult accompaniment) has declined in recent decades.

The association between neighbourhood greenspace and type 2 diabetes in a large cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between neighbourhood greenspace and type 2 diabetes.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: 3 diabetes screening studies conducted in Leicestershire, UK in 2004-2011.

Children's sedentary behaviour: descriptive epidemiology and associations with objectively-measured sedentary time.

Background: Little is known regarding the patterning and socio-demographic distribution of multiple sedentary behaviours in children. The aims of this study were to: 1) describe the leisure-time sedentary behaviour of 9-10 year old British children, and 2) establish associations with objectively-measured sedentary time.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis in the SPEEDY study (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) (N=1513, 44.