Pre-analytical stability of haematinics, lactate dehydrogenase and phosphate in whole blood at room temperature up to 24 h, and refrigerated serum stability of lactate dehydrogenase, folate and vitamin B12 up to 72 h using the CRESS checklist.

Objectives: There is a lack of analyte stability data in whole blood (WB). The aim of this study was to determine the allowable delay in WB processing for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), folate, vitamin B12, iron and phosphate measurement. The stability of LDH, folate and vitamin B12 was also assessed in stored serum at clinically relevant time points.

Parent Perspectives on Parent-Mediated Intervention for Young Children With Down Syndrome.

Background: Parent-mediated intervention (PMI) is a potentially scalable approach for tailored interventions in neurogenetic conditions like Down syndrome (DS). Because PMIs require ongoing parent engagement, they must be developed in alignment with the needs of intended users. The present study examined caregiver opinions and preferences to inform the development of syndrome-informed interventions for children with DS.

Preparedness for practice, competency and skill development and learning in rural and remote clinical placements: A scoping review of the perspective and experience of health students.

When considering health professionals' requirements and responsibilities, competence is a complex concept that extends beyond knowledge to encompass understanding, application, technical skills, problem-solving, and clinical judgment. Rural clinical placements provide a rich learning environment for students to improve their competencies, self-esteem, and preparedness for practice (PFP). This scoping review aimed to identify pre-registration health students' perspectives on rural placement regarding competency and skill development, and enablers and barriers to learning.

Validation of an Instrument That Measures Factors Affecting Saudi Parents' Tolerance of Risky Play: A Rasch Analysis.

Importance: Benefits of children's participation in risky play are broadly recognized. However, most related research originates in Western countries; none focuses on outdoor play in Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, although the literature identifies varying perspectives on risky play among parents, there is no objective measure to assess personal, situational, and cultural factors shaping their risk tolerance.

Occupational Therapy Using Zones of Regulation™ Concepts: A Feasibility Study.

There is a lack of peer-reviewed research on occupational therapy using Zones of Regulation™ concepts for autistic youth. The purpose of this article is to describe the feasibility of a newly-developed occupational therapy intervention using Zones of Regulation™ concepts (OT-ZOR) for autistic youth. Specifically, we aimed to evaluate: (a) participant recruitment, retention, and attendance; (b) intervention fidelity, safety, and assessment completion; (c) intervention acceptability; and (d) preliminary participant outcomes.

The thriving kids and parents schools project: protocol of an incomplete stepped wedged cluster randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a Triple P seminar series.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the normality of daily life for many children, their families, and schools, resulting in heightened levels of anxiety, depression, social isolation, and loneliness among young people. An integrated public health model of interventions is needed to address the problem and to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of children. The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program is one system of parenting support with a strong evidence-base and wide international reach.

Current practice and recommendations for managing transgender patient data in clinical laboratories in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Background: Transgender people may avoid seeking medical care due to previous negative experiences and fear of discrimination. Clinical laboratories can contribute to a poor patient experience and clinical outcome when the design and functionality of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) do not consider the needs of transgender patients. This survey aimed to capture current practices in United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland clinical laboratories concerning how transgender patient data and test requests are managed throughout the total testing process.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of substituted alkylindoles that activate G protein-coupled receptors distinct from the cannabinoid CB and CB receptors.

The alkylindole (AI), WIN55212-2, modulates the activity of several proteins, including cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CBR, CBR), and at least additional G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that remains uncharacterized with respect to its molecular identity and pharmacological profile. Evidence suggests that such AI-sensitive GPCRs are expressed by the human kidney cell line HEK293. We synthesized fourteen novel AI analogues and evaluated their activities at AI-sensitive GPCRs using [S]GTPγS and [H]WIN55212-2 binding in HEK293 cell membranes, and performed in silico pharmacophore modeling to identify characteristics that favor binding to AI-sensitive GPCRs versus CBR/CBR.

How do interventions to improve the efficiency of acute stroke care affect prehospital times? A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) are the first point of contact for most acute stroke patients. EMS call to hospital times have increased in recent years for stroke patients in the UK which is undesirable due to the relationship between time and effectiveness of reperfusion treatment. This review aimed to identify and describe interventions devised to improve the efficiency of acute stroke care which reported an impact on ground-based EMS call to hospital times.

Stability of direct renin concentration and plasma renin activity in EDTA whole blood and plasma at ambient and refrigerated temperatures from 0 to 72 hours.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate transport and storage conditions for blood taken for direct renin concentration and plasma renin activity measurement, and whether cryoactivation of prorenin is seen at time points relevant to clinical practice.

Methods: Blood was extracted from n=10 volunteers into K-EDTA tubes. Stability of renin was assessed in whole blood stored at room temperature (15-25 °C) and in the refrigerator (2-8 °C) at 0 h, 8 h, and 24 h.

Stability of Anti-thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor Antibody in Whole Blood and Serum: Caution Required for Reflective and Batch Testing.

Introduction: Anti-thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) stability is stated as 7h at 20-25°C in the Roche Elecsys assay kit insert. The purpose of this study was to determine TRAb stability in whole blood and serum to assess the suitability of samples for reflective and weekly batch testing (with a single freeze-thaw cycle).

Methods: In the first study, blood from = 5 volunteers was used to assess: (1) stability in whole blood at room temperature up to 24h, and (2) stability in serum at 4-8°C up to 72h.

Key learnings from COVID-19 to sustain quality of life for families of individuals with IDD.

COVID-19 has very publicly had profound impacts on the health system of every country in the world. Over 4.5 million people have lost their lives.

Toileting Resistance Among Preschool-Age Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may achieve continence later than other children. Little is known about factors associated with toileting resistance in children with ASD and other developmental delays/disabilities (DD). We sought to describe toileting resistance in children with ASD and DD and those from the general population (POP) and identify factors associated with toileting resistance in children with ASD and DD.

Latent profiles of autism symptoms in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is associated with elevated rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism symptomatology. To better characterise heterogeneity in ASD symptomatology in DS, profiles of caregiver-reported ASD symptoms were modelled for children and adolescents with DS.

Methods: Participants (n = 125) were recruited through several multi-site research studies on cognition and language in DS.

The Relationship between Mindful Attention Awareness, Perceived Stress and Subjective Wellbeing.

Unlabelled: It has been suggested that mindfulness is a predictive factor in self-reported perceived stress. The present study aimed to investigate the link between mindful attention awareness, perceived stress and subjective wellbeing without the presence of a complementary intervention to promote mindfulness-based strategies.

Methods: The online survey participants ( = 257) were university students enrolled in initial teacher training.

A survey of practice in the management of haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia in blood specimens in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Background: Haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia (HIL) are common interferants in laboratory medicine, potentially impacting patient care. This survey investigates HIL management in medical laboratories across the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI).

Methods: A survey was sent to members of key professional organisations for laboratory medicine in the UK and ROI.

Preliminary Efficacy of Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to identify appropriate outcome measures and assess preliminary efficacy of occupational therapy in an equine environment (OT HORSPLAY) for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-four youth with ASD aged 6-13 were randomized to 10 weeks of OT HORSPLAY or to a waitlist control condition, occupational therapy in a garden. Youth demonstrated significantly improved goal attainment and social motivation, and decreased irritability after OT HORSPLAY.

Exploring a Complementary Stress Management and Wellbeing Intervention Model for Teachers: Participant Experience.

Background: work-related stress can have alarming physiological and psychological health impacts, which may permeate into personal and professional contexts. Teachers need to be supported to develop the skills and strategies to effectively identify how stress manifests and how to use simple, practical techniques to manage and reduce the impact of stress. Complementary interventions (CIs) for educators may provide stress management and assist with supporting wellbeing at the individual level.

A Complementary Intervention to Promote Wellbeing and Stress Management for Early Career Teachers.

The educational climate and culture in our schools present a variety of environmental (contextual) factors that influence teacher wellbeing, job satisfaction, and work-related stress. The magnitude of contextual factors cannot be ignored, and directing attention towards the environment teachers face daily is essential. Primary (organisational)-level interventions are documented in organisational health and wellbeing literature; however, to provide teachers with stress management strategies for promoting wellbeing, attention must also be directed towards secondary (individual)-level interventions.

Survey of patient perception of pre-analytical requirements for blood testing in the UK and RoI.

Background: A patient survey developed by the Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ACB-PA-SIG) was conducted during November and December 2019. The survey aimed to determine the quality of information provided to patients in preparation for their blood test(s). In addition, the ACB-PA-SIG provide a number of recommendations, which, if adopted, may yield higher quality test results and improve patient management.