Anakinra efficacy in COVID-19 pneumonia guided by soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor: Association with the inflammatory burden of the host.

Background: Anakinra was approved by the European Medicines Agency and received Emergency Use Authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at risk for severe respiratory failure (SRF) with blood levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) ≥ 6 ng/mL. We report the final results of the phase II open-label single-arm SAVE trial in a large population.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and suPAR levels ≥ 6 ng/mL received subcutaneous anakinra 100 mg once daily for 10 days.

Using Artificial Intelligence-informed Experience-Based Co-Design (AI-EBCD) to create a virtual reality-based mindfulness application to reduce diabetes distress: protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility study.

Introduction: People with type 2 diabetes can experience diabetes distress which can negatively affect health outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness can help address diabetes distress. However, face-to-face programmes can be constrained by cost, poor accessibility and lack of availability.

Exploring social, cultural and environmental factors that influence attitudes to exercise among people with Parkinson's disease: A qualitative study.

Exercise is recommended for people with Parkinson's (PwP) but clinical exercise-based interventions are generally ineffective. Social, cultural and environmental factors can influence exercise behaviours, but these topics are under-researched. We interviewed 18 PwP using a narrative approach to identify factors influencing their exercise behaviours throughout their lives.

One or many labels? a longitudinal qualitative study of patients' journey to diagnosis at a specialist NHS Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) clinic.

Objectives: Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is a poorly understood syndrome of multiple disabling symptoms. This study explored the process of seeking a diagnosis of PoTS. Analysis focused on changes before and after participants' first appointment with a national PoTS clinic, and explored whether a diagnosis is beneficial in the context of multiple co-occurring conditions and an absence of licenced treatments.

De novo generation of multi-target compounds using deep generative chemistry.

Polypharmacology drugs-compounds that inhibit multiple proteins-have many applications but are difficult to design. To address this challenge we have developed POLYGON, an approach to polypharmacology based on generative reinforcement learning. POLYGON embeds chemical space and iteratively samples it to generate new molecular structures; these are rewarded by the predicted ability to inhibit each of two protein targets and by drug-likeness and ease-of-synthesis.

Gaining consensus on emotional wellbeing themes and preferences for digital intervention type and content to support the mental health of young people with long-term health conditions: A Delphi study.

Background: Young people (YP) with long-term conditions (LTCs) are at greater risk of psychological distress than those without LTCs. Despite this, there is a scarcity of quality digital interventions designed to help improve mental wellbeing in this population. The aim of this study was to determine what YP, parents and health professionals preferred for future interventions.

Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth in a Sample of United Kingdom Mental and Community Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Experiences of adversity can generate positive psychological effects alongside negative impacts. Little research to date has evaluated predictors of post-traumatic growth in mental or community healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a survey of 854 community and mental healthcare staff in the United Kingdom in July to September 2020, multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between hypothesised risk and protective factors (personal, organisational and environmental variables) and total scores on the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Version.

Key demographics and psychological skills associated with adjustment to progressive Multiple Sclerosis early in the diagnosis.

Background/purpose: Being diagnosed with a progressive type of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with worse psychological outcomes compared to relapsing-remitting type. Previous studies of adjustment to MS have primarily focused on relapsing-remitting type MS. The present study aims to examine psychological adjustment for people newly diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis.

Psychological profiles of individuals with type 2 diabetes and their association with physical and psychological outcomes: a cluster analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify clusters of participants with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at risk for developing psychological and somatic distress symptoms. Moreover, we investigated whether the different clusters were associated with glycemic control, sleep, and physical activity levels..

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Mindfulness Intervention Delivered via Videoconferencing for People With Parkinson's.

Mindfulness-based group therapy is a rapidly growing psychological approach that can potentially help people adjust to chronic illness and manage unpleasant symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that mindfulness-based interventions may benefit people with Parkinson's. The objective of the paper is to examine the appropriateness, feasibility, and potential cost-effectiveness of an online mindfulness intervention, designed to reduce anxiety and depression for people with Parkinson's.

Prioritising target non-pharmacological interventions for research in Parkinson's disease: achieving consensus from key stakeholders.

Background: In 2014 Parkinson's UK conducted a research prioritisation exercise with stakeholders highlighting important clinical research questions. The exercise highlighted the need for effective interventions to be developed and tested to tackle a range of non-motor symptoms including: sleep quality, stress and anxiety, mild cognitive impairment, dementia and urinary problems. The present work set out to build on this exercise by prioritising types of non-pharmacological interventions to be tested to treat the identified non-motor symptoms.

The Experiences of People Who Quit Khat and the Health Care Professionals Who Support them.

Background: This study aimed to explore the barriers and enablers to quitting khat from the perspective of users and the barriers and enablers to supporting users to quit from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to collect and analyse data.

Findings: Overall, 10 khat users and 3 professionals were interviewed.

The effect of implementation intentions on use of dental chewing gum.

This study examined the effect of implementation intentions on use of dental chewing gum. A total of 80 participants reported intentions to chew gum, read information about the benefits of dental gum, reported intentions again, and formed implementation intentions relating to gum use (experimental group) or solved word puzzles (control group). Seven days later, they reported the amount chewed.

Multiple challenges for people after transitioning to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Transitioning to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is demanding for both patients and healthcare professionals. The particular challenges and the ways patients cope are poorly understood. The present study examines what challenges people face when diagnosed with SPMS by exploring experiences of people who have transitioned recently (up to 5 years).

Distant delivery of a mindfulness-based intervention for people with Parkinson's disease: the study protocol of a randomised pilot trial.

Background: Psychological difficulties, especially depression and anxiety, are the most prevalent non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Pharmacological treatments for these conditions appear relatively ineffective in Parkinson's disease. Mindfulness courses are increasingly popular and recognised as effective for managing emotional states, and there is growing evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness courses for people with long-term medical conditions.

Adjustment modes in the trajectory of progressive multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study and conceptual model.

Objective: We examined cognitive and behavioural challenges and adaptations for people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and developed a preliminary conceptual model of changes in adjustment over time.

Design: Using theoretical sampling, 34 semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with MS. Participants were between 41 and 77 years of age.

Potential treatment mechanisms in a mindfulness-based intervention for people with progressive multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To explore putative mediators of a mindfulness-based intervention to decrease distress in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to explore the patients' perspectives on this intervention.

Design: We used an explanatory mixed methods design incorporating quantitative data from a pilot randomized control trial and a qualitative interview study with people who completed the mindfulness intervention.

Methods: People with MS (n = 40) completed standardized measures of distress (outcome), and acceptance, decentring, self-compassion, and self-efficacy (potential mediators).

Healthcare professionals' perceptions of psychological treatment for chronic pain in Singapore: challenges, barriers, and the way forward.

Purpose: There are very few studies on healthcare providers' experiences of delivering treatment for chronic pain in a Southeast Asian setting. The aims of this study are to understand the experiences of professionals delivering treatment for people with chronic pain in Singapore and identify possible barriers to psychological treatment for this condition within the broader experiences of these professionals.

Method: Healthcare professionals with at least 1-year experience treating chronic pain were recruited and purposefully sampled.

Parents' expressed emotion and mood, rather than their physical disability are associated with adolescent adjustment: a longitudinal study of families with a parent with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: This study investigated the impact of the severity of parental multiple sclerosis, parents' expressed emotion and psychological well-being on offspring's psychological difficulties.

Design: A longitudinal study including baseline and 6-month follow-up data collected from parents and children.

Subjects: Adolescents (n=75), their parents with multiple sclerosis (n=56) and the partner without multiple sclerosis (n=40).

Mixed Experiences and Perceptions of Psychological Treatment for Chronic Pain in Singapore: Skepticism, Ambivalence, Satisfaction, and Potential.

Unlabelled: There is little research in Southeast Asia focusing on patients' experiences of seeking psychological treatment for chronic pain.

Objective: This study aims to understand the experiences of patients seeking psychological treatment for chronic pain in this region.

Setting: Outpatient pain clinic at a tertiary hospital in Singapore.

Distress improves after mindfulness training for progressive MS: A pilot randomised trial.

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to effectively reduce anxiety, depression and pain in patients with chronic physical illnesses.

Objectives: We assessed the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a specially adapted Skype distant-delivered mindfulness intervention, designed to reduce distress for people affected by primary and secondary progressive MS.

Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to the eight-week intervention (n = 19) or a waiting-list control group (n = 21).

Towards a better understanding of MS pain: a systematic review of potentially modifiable psychosocial factors.

Objective: Pain is a common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Biomedical treatments achieve only modest reductions in pain severity suggesting that this approach may be too narrow. The aim of this systematic review was to assess evidence for associations between modifiable psychosocial factors and MS pain severity and pain interference and use this evidence to develop a preliminary biopsychosocial model of MS pain.

'It feels like someone is hammering my feet': understanding pain and its management from the perspective of people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Pain affects around 63% of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Biomedical treatments demonstrate limited efficacy. More research is needed to understand pain from the individual's perspective in order to better inform a patient-centred approach that improves engagement, self-management and outcome.

An evaluation of the choices for well-being project.

The relationship between mental health, self-esteem and unemployment is well established. Emerging research suggests that interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can counter the negative effects of unemployment and may improve re-employment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a manual-based programme, which combines CBT with job skills training, in improving the psychological health and job- seeking skills of unemployed individuals within the UK.