Public acceptability and anticipated uptake of risk-stratified bowel cancer screening in the UK: An online survey.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify public acceptability and anticipated uptake with risk stratification incorporated at three points on the bowel cancer screening pathway, compared with current screening in England.

Methods: We conducted an online population-based survey of 1,203 UK adults in 2024. The main outcome measures were overall acceptability of three strategies where risk stratification is introduced at 1) the point of eligibility, 2) the referral threshold and 3) the screening interval, compared with the current programme (screening as usual), and the acceptability of high- and low-risk screening practices at each point.

Understanding the Preferences and Considerations of the Public Towards Risk-Stratified Screening for Colorectal Cancer: Insights From Think-Aloud Interviews Based on a Discrete Choice Experiment.

Context: Risk stratification has been suggested as a strategy for improving cancer screening. Any changes to existing programmes must be acceptable to the public.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the preferences and considerations of individuals relating to the introduction of different risk-based strategies to determine eligibility for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

The effectiveness of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of diabetes and hyperglycaemia following gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: To synthesize the available evidence to better understand the effectiveness of interventions to prevent or delay hyperglycaemia and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) postnatally in women with current or previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: We searched five databases up to December 2020 for primary peer-reviewed articles reporting postpartum glycaemic outcomes in women with (previous) GDM following pharmacological or lifestyle intervention. Outcomes were relative risk of T2DM or continuous measures of glycaemia, change or at follow-up.

T12-L3 Nerve Transfer-Induced Locomotor Recovery in Rats with Thoracolumbar Contusion: Essential Roles of Sensory Input Rerouting and Central Neuroplasticity.

Locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an unmet challenge. Nerve transfer (NT), the connection of a functional/expendable peripheral nerve to a paralyzed nerve root, has long been clinically applied, aiming to restore motor control. However, outcomes have been inconsistent, suggesting that NT-induced neurological reinstatement may require activation of mechanisms beyond motor axon reinnervation ().

A discrete choice experiment to understand public preferences and priorities for risk-stratified bowel cancer screening programmes in the UK.

Objective: Public acceptability of bowel cancer screening programmes must be maintained, including if risk stratification is introduced. We aimed to describe and quantify preferences for different attributes of risk-stratified screening programmes amongst the UK population, focussing on who to invite for bowel screening.

Methods: We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) including the following attributes: risk factors used to estimate bowel cancer risk (age plus/minus sex, lifestyle factors and genetics); personalisation of risk feedback; risk stratification strategy plus resource implications; default screening in the case of no risk information; number of deaths prevented by screening; and number experiencing physical harm from screening.

Implementation of risk stratification within bowel cancer screening: a community jury study exploring public acceptability and communication needs.

Background: Population-based cancer screening programmes are shifting away from age and/or sex-based screening criteria towards a risk-stratified approach. Any such changes must be acceptable to the public and communicated effectively. We aimed to explore the social and ethical considerations of implementing risk stratification at three different stages of the bowel cancer screening programme and to understand public requirements for communication.

Personalised colorectal cancer screening strategies: Information needs of the target population.

Prior faecal Hemoglobin (f-Hb) concentrations of a negative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can be used for risk stratification in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Individuals with higher f-Hb concentrations may benefit from a shorter screening interval (1 year), whereas individuals with undetectable f-Hb concentrations could benefit from a longer screening interval (3 year). Individuals' views on personalised CRC screening and information needed to make a well-informed decision is unknown.

The ethics of risk-stratified cancer screening.

Cancer screening programmes aim to save lives and reduce cancer burden through prevention or early detection of specific cancers. Risk stratification, where one or more elements of a screening programme are systematically tailored based on multiple individual-level risk factors, could improve the balance of screening benefits and harms and programme efficiency. In this article, we explore the resulting ethical issues and how they impact risk-stratified screening policymaking using Beauchamp and Childress's principles of medical ethics.

Acceptability of risk stratification within population-based cancer screening from the perspective of the general public: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Introduction: Risk-stratified cancer screening has the potential to improve resource allocation and the balance of harms and benefits by targeting those most likely to benefit. Public acceptability has implications for engagement, uptake and the success of such a programme. Therefore, this review seeks to understand whether risk stratification of population-based cancer screening programmes is acceptable to the general public and in what context.

Direct Cell Reprogramming and Phenotypic Conversion: An Analysis of Experimental Attempts to Transform Astrocytes into Neurons in Adult Animals.

Central nervous system (CNS) repair after injury or disease remains an unresolved problem in neurobiology research and an unmet medical need. Directly reprogramming or converting astrocytes to neurons (AtN) in adult animals has been investigated as a potential strategy to facilitate brain and spinal cord recovery and advance fundamental biology. Conceptually, AtN strategies rely on forced expression or repression of lineage-specific transcription factors to make endogenous astrocytes become "induced neurons" (iNs), presumably without re-entering any pluripotent or multipotent states.

Acceptability of risk stratification within population-based cancer screening from the perspective of healthcare professionals: A mixed methods systematic review and recommendations to support implementation.

Background: Introduction of risk stratification within population-based cancer screening programmes has the potential to optimise resource allocation by targeting screening towards members of the population who will benefit from it most. Endorsement from healthcare professionals is necessary to facilitate successful development and implementation of risk-stratified interventions. Therefore, this review aims to explore whether using risk stratification within population-based cancer screening programmes is acceptable to healthcare professionals and to identify any requirements for successful implementation.

Public Preferences for Determining Eligibility for Screening in Risk-Stratified Cancer Screening Programs: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Background: Risk stratification has been proposed to improve the efficiency of population-level cancer screening. We aimed to describe and quantify the relative importance of different attributes of potential screening programs among the public, focusing on stratifying eligibility.

Methods: We conducted a discrete choice experiment in which respondents selected between 2 hypothetical screening programs in a series of 9 questions.

Proactive breast cancer risk assessment in primary care: a review based on the principles of screening.

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that women at moderate or high risk of breast cancer be offered risk-reducing medication and enhanced breast screening/surveillance. In June 2022, NICE withdrew a statement recommending assessment of risk in primary care only when women present with concerns. This shift to the proactive assessment of risk substantially changes the role of primary care, in effect paving the way for a primary care-based screening programme to identify those at moderate or high risk of breast cancer.

A community jury study exploring the public acceptability of using risk stratification to determine eligibility for cancer screening.

Introduction: Using risk stratification to determine eligibility for cancer screening is likely to improve the efficiency of screening programmes by targeting resources towards those most likely to benefit. We aimed to explore the implications of this approach from a societal perspective by understanding public views on the most acceptable stratification strategies.

Methods: We conducted three online community juries with 9 or 10 participants in each.

Medical Gas Therapy for Tissue, Organ, and CNS Protection: A Systematic Review of Effects, Mechanisms, and Challenges.

Gaseous molecules have been increasingly explored for therapeutic development. Here, following an analytical background introduction, a systematic review of medical gas research is presented, focusing on tissue protections, mechanisms, data tangibility, and translational challenges. The pharmacological efficacies of carbon monoxide (CO) and xenon (Xe) are further examined with emphasis on intracellular messengers associated with cytoprotection and functional improvement for the CNS, heart, retina, liver, kidneys, lungs, etc.

"Post-GDM support would be really good for mothers": A qualitative interview study exploring how to support a healthy diet and physical activity after gestational diabetes.

Background: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They are therefore recommended to follow a healthy diet and be physically active in order to reduce that risk. However, achieving and maintaining these behaviours in the postpartum period is challenging.

Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging of the Tear Trough: Lessons Learned From Functional Anatomy.

Background: The tear trough is one of the most challenging facial regions for soft-tissue filler injections. A thorough understanding of the underlying facial, muscular, and vascular anatomy is crucial to perform safe and effective tear trough injectable treatments.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the location and function of the angular vein in the tear trough in 3 different facial expressions: repose, smiling, and max.

'Oh, I've got an appointment': A qualitative interview study exploring how to support attendance at diabetes screening after gestational diabetes.

Aims: To explore the views of women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on suggested practical approaches to support diabetes screening attendance after GDM, which is recommended but poorly attended.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 participants in Cambridgeshire, UK who had been diagnosed with GDM and were 3-48 months postpartum. Interviews covered whether participants had been screened and why, plans for future screening and their views on potential interventions to facilitate attendance (at the first postpartum test and annual testing).

Barriers to postpartum diabetes screening: a qualitative synthesis of clinicians' views.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life. Postpartum screening provides an opportunity for early detection and management of T2DM, but uptake is poor.

Aim: To explore barriers to screening from clinicians' perspectives to guide future interventions to increase uptake of postpartum screening.

Non-invasive approaches to functional recovery after spinal cord injury: Therapeutic targets and multimodal device interventions.

This paper is an interdisciplinary narrative review of efficacious non-invasive therapies that are increasingly used to restore function in people with chronic spinal cord injuries (SCI). First presented are the secondary injury cascade set in motion by the primary lesion and highlights in therapeutic development for mitigating the acute pathophysiologic process. Then summarized are current pharmacological strategies for modulation of noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission to enhance recovery in bench and clinical studies of subacute and chronic SCI.

The absolute and relative risk of type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 129 studies.

Aims: To estimate development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in women with previous gestational diabetes (GDM) and investigate characteristics associated with higher diagnoses, building on previous meta-analyses and exploring heterogeneity.

Methods: Systematic literature review of studies published up to October 2019. We included studies reporting progression to T2DM ≥6 months after pregnancy, if diagnostic methods were reported and ≥50 women with GDM participated.

Sequence- and structure-specific cytosine-5 mRNA methylation by NSUN6.

The highly abundant N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification affects most aspects of mRNA function, yet the precise function of the rarer 5-methylcytidine (m5C) remains largely unknown. Here, we map m5C in the human transcriptome using methylation-dependent individual-nucleotide resolution cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (miCLIP) combined with RNA bisulfite sequencing. We identify NSUN6 as a methyltransferase with strong substrate specificity towards mRNA.

Planochromism of cyanoxime anions: computational and mechanistic studies in solid state and solutions.

The benzoylcyanoxime, NC-C(=N-OH)-C(O)-CH (later H(BCO)), represents a new ampolydentate ligand that received attention in the light of useful biological properties of its coordination compounds. Colorless H(BCO), upon deprotonation, gains color that depends on the counter-cation and the system in general. Five derivatives of H(BCO), with colorless organic and inorganic mono-cations - Cs, Tl, Ag, N(CH) and As(CH) - were synthesized and characterized by the X-ray analysis, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy.

Barriers to completing oral glucose tolerance testing in women at risk of gestational diabetes.

Aim: Complications of gestational diabetes (GDM) can be mitigated if the diagnosis is recognized. However, some at-risk women do not complete antenatal diagnostic oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT). We aimed to understand reasons contributing to non-completion, particularly to identify modifiable factors.