Ultrahypofractionated Adjuvant Breast Radiation Therapy (± Boost) and Virtual Consultations: Patient Perspectives at 1 Year.

Purpose: In March 2020, a 1-week ultrahypofractionated adjuvant breast radiation therapy schedule, 26 Gy in 5 fractions, and telehealth were adopted to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for staff and patients. This study describes real-world 1-year late toxicity for ultrahypofractionation (including a sequential boost) and patient perspectives on this new schedule and telehealth workflows.

Methods And Materials: Consecutive patients were enrolled between March and August 2020.

Unmasking anxiety: a head-to-head comparison of open and closed masks in head and neck cancer radiotherapy.

Background: Facemasks accurately immobilise patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving radiotherapy (RT). However, such masks are associated with treatment related distress, a prognostic factor for poorer survival. Open masks offer increased comfort and patient satisfaction.

Intrafraction Motion in Surface-Guided Breast Radiation Therapy and its Implications on a Single Planning Target Volume Margin Strategy.

Purpose: This study quantifies intrafraction motion in surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) for breast cancer and considers the need for individualized intrafraction motion measures when calculating planning target volume (PTV) margins.

Methods And Materials: SGRT was used to assess intrafraction motion in consecutive patients according to (1) site irradiated (whole-breast/chest wall vs whole-breast/chest wall + regional lymph nodes) and (2) the use of deep inspiration breath hold versus free breathing. Intrafraction motion variation was evaluated throughout the treatment course for all cases.

Usability of pulse oximeters used by community health and primary care workers as screening tools for severe illness in children under five in low resource settings: A cross-sectional study in Cambodia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Timely recognition and referral of severely ill children is especially critical in low-resource health systems. Pulse-oximeters can improve health outcomes of children by detecting hypoxaemia, a severity indicator of the most common causes of death in children. Cost-effectiveness of pulse-oximeters has been proven in low-income settings.

Performance of five pulse oximeters to detect hypoxaemia as an indicator of severe illness in children under five by frontline health workers in low resource settings - A prospective, multicentre, single-blinded, trial in Cambodia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Background: Low blood oxygen saturation (SpO), or hypoxaemia, is an indicator of severe illness in children. Pulse oximetry is a globally accepted, non-invasive method to identify hypoxaemia, but rarely available outside higher-level facilities in resource-constrained countries. This study aims to evaluate the performance of different types of pulse oximeters amongst frontline health workers in Cambodia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Performance of Four Respiratory Rate Counters to Support Community Health Workers to Detect the Symptoms of Pneumonia in Children in Low Resource Settings: A Prospective, Multicentre, Hospital-Based, Single-Blinded, Comparative Trial.

Background: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in children under-five globally. The current diagnostic criteria for pneumonia are based on increased respiratory rate (RR) or chest in-drawing in children with cough and/or difficulty breathing. Accurately counting RR is difficult for community health workers (CHWs).

Evaluation of a new anaesthetist-led propofol sedation service for endoscopy within a UK day-case setting.

Introduction: The use of propofol in endoscopy is becoming more prevalent both in Europe and North America. Potential advantages over conscious sedation include controlled deep sedation for therapeutic endoscopy and improved patient satisfaction. A new anaesthetist-led propofol-based day-case sedation service was introduced within the endoscopy unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in April 2011.