Effectiveness and user experience of nose and throat swabbing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection: results from the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme.

Background: The UK's National Health Service Test and Trace (NHSTT) program aimed to provide the most effective and accessible SARS-CoV-2 testing approach possible. Early user feedback indicated that there were accessibility issues associated with throat swabbing. We report the results of service evaluations performed by NHSTT to assess the effectiveness and user acceptance of swabbing approaches, as well as qualitative findings of user experiences from research reports, surveys, and incident reports.

Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Differences in Micturition-Related Brain Activity Between Volitional and Involuntary Detrusor Contractions.

Introduction: Detrusor contractions can be classified as either volitional or involuntary. The latter are a hallmark of urge urinary incontinence. Understanding differences in neuroactivation associated with both types of contractions can help elucidate pathophysiology and therapeutic targets.

Automatic Recognition of Motor Skills in Triathlon: A Novel Tool for Measuring Movement Cadence and Cycling Tasks.

: The purpose of this research was to create a peak detection algorithm and machine learning model for use in triathlon. The algorithm and model aimed to automatically measure movement cadence in all three disciplines of a triathlon using data from a single inertial measurement unit and to recognise the occurrence and duration of cycling task changes. : Six triathletes were recruited to participate in a triathlon while wearing a single trunk-mounted measurement unit and were filmed throughout.

Long-Term Decision Regret and Associated Factors After Urinary Reconstruction in Underserved Patients With Spinal Cord Injury.

Purpose: Patients with refractory neurogenic bladder dysfunction may require urinary reconstruction due to severe incontinence, difficulty with catheterization, and to prevent upper urinary tract compromise. We evaluated long-term decisional regret and associated factors after urinary reconstruction in patients with spinal cord injury.

Materials And Methods: We interviewed patients with spinal cord injuries who underwent bladder reconstruction surgery at least 10 years ago, administering validated surveys on bowel quality of life (QoL) and dysfunction, UTIs, and decisional regret.

The effect of expiratory flow limitation on supine persistent hyperinflation in COPD: a prospective observational study.

Introduction: COPD is characterised by airflow obstruction, expiratory airway collapse and closure causing expiratory flow limitation (EFL) and hyperinflation. Supine posture may worsen ventilatory function in COPD, which may cause hyperinflation to persist and contribute to symptoms of orthopnoea and sleep disturbance. Our aim was to determine the impact of supine posture on hyperinflation, dynamic elastance and EFL in COPD and healthy subjects.

Desire for Period Products: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Food Pantry Users in Three Midwestern States.

Objective: To examine the desire for period products among food pantry users in the U.S.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 4,929 food pantry users at food pantries in Missouri, Kansas, and southwestern Illinois.

Developmental exposure of zebrafish to saxitoxin causes altered expression of genes associated with axonal growth.

Saxitoxin (STX) is a potent neurotoxin naturally produced by dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria. STX inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), affecting the propagation of action potentials. Consumption of seafood contaminated with STX is responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).

Historic Land Use Modifies Impacts of Climate and Isolation in Rear Edge European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Populations.

Legacies of human land use have the potential to impact demographic responses to climate. However, few studies have investigated the interactive effects of land use legacies and climate change on tree demography. The demographic performance of rear edge populations in particular is an important determinant of a species' long-term persistence.

Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing.

Purpose: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 raised concerns about the best sampling sites for PCR testing, with early indications suggesting throat swab samples were better than nasal swab samples. Our study evaluated the sensitivity of detecting SARS-CoV-2 across different swabbing sites.

Methods: Participants undergoing testing at NHS Test and Trace sites in England provided self-collected samples using nose only, throat only, and combined nose and throat swabs, which were analysed by realtime PCR.

Small sharks, big problems: DNA analysis of small fins reveals trade regulation gaps and burgeoning trade in juvenile sharks.

Many shark species have been overexploited for international markets, including fins for shark fin soup in Southeast Asia. Previous studies highlighted the value of large, threatened shark species, regulated under CITES Appendix II. However, sampling biases may have overlooked small shark species.

Piloting a community health and well-being worker model in Cornwall: a guide for implementation and spread.

Background: This paper evaluates the introduction of ten Community Health and Well-being Workers (CHWW) in four pilot sites across Cornwall. The period evaluated was from the initial start in June 2022 until June 2023, covering the project setup and implementation across a range of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Voluntary sector partners (VSCO).

Methods: All ten CHWWs and their managers at each site were interviewed (n = 16) to understand the barriers and enablers to implementation and wider learning that could be captured around the project setup.

Changes in the force-time curve during a repeat power ability assessment using loaded countermovement jumps.

Background: Repeat power ability (RPA) assessments traditionally use discrete variables, such as peak power output, to quantify the change in performance across a series of jumps. Rather than using a discrete variable, the analysis of the entire force-time curve may provide additional insight into RPA performance. The aims of this study were to (1) analyse changes in the force-time curve recorded during an RPA assessment using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and (2) compare the differences in the force-time curve between participants with low and high RPA scores, as quantified by traditional analysis.

Effects of High Amylose-Resistant Starch on Gut Microbiota and Uremic Toxin Levels in Patients With Stage-G3a-G4 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the effect of 16 weeks of supplementation with Hi-maize 260 resistant starch (RS) on the gut microbiota, uremic toxins (indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate [PCS]), markers of inflammation, and oxidative stress along with vascular function in patients with stage G3a-G4 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design And Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Sixty-eight patients with stage-G3a-G4 CKD were randomized to either RS with usual care or placebo and usual care.

Healthy Communities for Youth: A Cost Analysis of a Community-Level Program to Prevent Youth Violence.

Youth violence is a national public health concern in USA, especially in resource-constrained urban communities. Between 2018 and 2021, the Healthy Communities for Youth (HCFY) program addressed youth violence prevention in select economically marginalized urban communities, with the HCFY program reducing the likelihood of youth-involved violent crime. Leveraging costs from program expense reports, this study analyzes the costs of the HCFY program in order to inform policymaking and the program's future ongoing implementation.

Using the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull to Predict Three-Repetition Maximum Squat Values in Female Athletes.

Prescribing correct training loads in strength- and power-based sports is essential to eliciting performance improvements for athletes. Concurrently, testing strength for the prescription of training loads should be accurate and safe with minimal disruption or fatigue inducement to the athlete. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction equation in female athletes for the three-repetition maximum (3RM) squat using the isometric mid-thigh pull and basic anthropometric assessments that could be practically applied to support training prescriptions.

Extent and socioeconomic correlates of small area variations in life expectancy in Canada and the United States.

Background: An extensive literature documents substantial variations in life expectancy (LE) between countries and at various levels of subnational geography. These variations in LE are significantly correlated with socioeconomic covariates, though no analyses have been produced at the finest feasible census tract (CT) level of geographic disaggregation in Canada or designed to compare Canada with the United States.

Data And Methods: Abridged life tables for each CT where robust estimates were feasible were estimated comparably with U.

Evaluation of a point-of-use kiosk for improving the fit of N95/P2 respirators in health care settings: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fit of N95/P2 half-face respirators is critical. No objective ways exist to evaluate their implementation at use. Previously, we showed 26% of health care workers achieve appropriate fit at point of use.

Power-law properties of nocturnal arrhythmia avalanches: A novel marker for incident cardiovascular events.

Background: Bursting nonsustained cardiac arrhythmia events are a common observation during sleep.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that nocturnal arrhythmia episode durations could follow a power law, whose exponent could predict long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods: We defined "nocturnal arrhythmia avalanche" (NAA) as any instance of a drop in electrocardiographic (ECG) template-matched R-R intervals ≥30% of R-R baseline, followed by a return to 90% of baseline.

Double testing with lateral flow antigen test devices for COVID-19: does a second test in quick succession add value?

Background/objectives: We investigated if performing two lateral flow device (LFD) tests, LFD2 immediately after LFD1, could improve diagnostic sensitivity or specificity for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen.

Study Design: Individuals aged ≥16 years attending UK community testing sites (February-May 2021) performed two successive LFD tests and provided a nose-and-throat sample for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Using the PCR result as the reference diagnosis, we assessed whether improvements could be achieved in sensitivity (by counting a positive result in either LFD as a positive overall test result) or specificity (by using LFD2 as confirmatory test).

Hard X-ray imaging and tomography at the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy beamlines of Canadian Light Source.

The Biomedical Imaging and Therapy facility of the Canadian Light Source comprises two beamlines, which together cover a wide X-ray energy range from 13 keV up to 140 keV. The beamlines were designed with a focus on synchrotron applications in preclinical imaging and veterinary science as well as microbeam radiation therapy. While these remain a major part of the activities of both beamlines, a number of recent upgrades have enhanced the versatility and performance of the beamlines, particularly for high-resolution microtomography experiments.

Motivating parents to protect their children from wildfire smoke: the impact of air quality index infographics.

. Wildfire smoke events are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. Children are especially vulnerable to health effects even at moderate smoke levels.

C. elegans touch receptor neurons direct mechanosensory complex organization via repurposing conserved basal lamina proteins.

The sense of touch is conferred by the conjoint function of somatosensory neurons and skin cells. These cells meet across a gap filled by a basal lamina, an ancient structure found in metazoans. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigate the composition and ultrastructure of the extracellular matrix at the epidermis and touch receptor neuron (TRN) interface.