Telomere length correlates with physiological and behavioural responses of a long-lived seabird to an ecologically relevant challenge.

Determinants of individual variation in reallocation of limited resources towards self-maintenance versus reproduction are not well known. We tested the hypothesis that individual heterogeneity in long-term 'somatic state' (i) explains variation in endocrine and behavioural responses to environmental challenges, and (ii) is associated with variation in strategies for allocating to self-maintenance versus reproduction. We used relative telomere length as an indicator of somatic state and experimentally generated an abrupt short-term reduction of food availability (withdrawal of food supplementation) for free-living seabirds (black-legged kittiwakes, ).

Cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in older adults with vitamin D deficiency in Ireland.

Background: This study investigated the cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in older adults in Ireland, with year-round vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <30 nmol/L) (13% of Irish adults), from the perspective of the Health Service Executive.

Methods: Three age groups were investigated: (1) ≥50 years, (2) ≥60 years and (3) ≥70 years. Based on the clinical literature, vitamin D supplementation may: (1) decrease all-cause mortality by 7% and (2) reduce hip fractures by 16% and non-hip fractures by 20%.

Metformin in obese pregnancy has no adverse effects on cardiovascular risk in early childhood.

Metformin is widely used in pregnancy, despite lack of long-term safety for children. We hypothesised that metformin exposure in utero is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We tested this hypothesis in a follow-up study of children born to obese mothers who had participated in a randomised controlled trial of metformin versus placebo in pregnancy (EMPOWaR).

Volatile organic compound analysis, a new tool in the quest for preterm birth prediction-an observational cohort study.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death worldwide in children under five years. Due to its complex multifactorial nature, prediction is a challenge. Current research is aiming to develop accurate predictive models using patient history, ultrasound and biochemical markers.

Impact of sitagliptin on endometrial mesenchymal stem-like progenitor cells: A randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled feasibility trial.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is associated with the loss of endometrial mesenchymal stem-like progenitor cells (eMSC). DPP4 inhibitors may increase homing and engraftment of bone marrow-derived cells to sites of tissue injury. Here, we evaluated the effect of the DPP4 inhibitor sitagliptin on eMSC in women with RPL, determined the impact on endometrial decidualization, and assessed the feasibility of a full-scale clinical trial.

Detection of Group B Streptococcus in pregnancy by vaginal volatile organic compound analysis: a prospective exploratory study.

Our objective was to assess whether volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis of vaginal swabs can detect maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) during pregnancy in a prospective exploratory study. Around 243 women attending a high-risk antenatal clinic at one university teaching hospital in the UK consented to take part and provide vaginal swabs throughout pregnancy. VOC analysis of vaginal swabs was undertaken and compared with the reference standard of GBS detected using enrichment culture method.

Preventative interventions, protocols or guidelines for trauma patients at risk of cervical collar-related pressure ulcers: a scoping review.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to explore the existing literature related to preventative interventions, protocols or guidelines for trauma patients at risk of cervical collar-related pressure ulcers to examine and conceptually map the evidence, and to identify any gaps in the literature.

Introduction: Cervical collars are necessary to stabilize cervical spine injuries in trauma patients; however, pressure ulcers are a major complication of prolonged cervical collar use. The longer a patient wears a cervical collar, the more likely the patient will develop a pressure ulcer that will worsen as wear time increases.

Preconception Care: A Technology-Based Model for Delivery in the Primary Care Setting Supported by Public Health.

Introduction: To improve reproductive, maternal, and child health, preconception health (PCH) care that is innovative and generationally relevant is essential. In response, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) developed and tested an evidence-based PCH electronic intervention delivered in a primary care setting. The purpose of this study was to: (1) identify the prevalence of PCH risks among women of reproductive age, (2) determine the impact of the PCH intervention on knowledge and behaviour, and (3) assess the implementation of the intervention.

The use of Episcissors-60 to reduce the rate of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries: A systematic review.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of Episcissors-60, which were designed to improve the accuracy of episiotomies, on the rate of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries.

Study Design: This review is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (CRD42018094935). A literature search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed from inception to May 2018.

Nicotine preloading for smoking cessation: the Preloading RCT.

Background: Nicotine preloading means using nicotine replacement therapy prior to a quit date while smoking normally. The aim is to reduce the drive to smoke, thereby reducing cravings for smoking after quit day, which are the main cause of early relapse. A prior systematic review showed inconclusive and heterogeneous evidence that preloading was effective and little evidence of the mechanism of action, with no cost-effectiveness data.

Preventative interventions, protocols or guidelines for trauma patients at risk for cervical collar-related pressure ulcers: a scoping review protocol.

The objective of this review is to explore the existing literature related to preventative interventions, protocols or guidelines for trauma patients at risk for cervical collar-related pressure ulcers, examine and conceptually map the evidence, and identify any gaps in the literature.Specifically the review questions are.

, a novel andromonoecious bush tomato species from a new Australian national park.

A new species of from the Australian "andromonoecious bush tomato clade" of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum is described. Martine, J.Cantley, & L.

Adverse effects of pegaspargase in pediatric patients receiving doses greater than 3,750 IU.

Background: Increased toxicities have been identified with higher doses of pegaspargase (PEG-ASP) in adults. This has led to routine use of a dose cap of 3,750 IU for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients in most institutions. In pediatric ALL patients, PEG-ASP is not capped.

A method for detecting characteristic patterns in social interactions with an application to handover interactions.

Social interactions are a defining behavioural trait of social animals. Discovering characteristic patterns in the display of such behaviour is one of the fundamental endeavours in behavioural biology and psychology, as this promises to facilitate the general understanding, classification, prediction and even automation of social interactions. We present a novel approach to study characteristic patterns, including both sequential and synchronous actions in social interactions.

Informal Care Time and Cost in a Large Clinical Trial Sample of Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: Determinants and Level of Change Observed.

Introduction: We evaluate the association between caregiver (informal) time/cost and illness severity from two recently completed clinical trials of an investigational drug for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Changes from baseline caregiver time were calculated and treatment effects analyzed using a restricted maximum likelihood-based mixed model for repeated measures. Four separate models were then estimated to examine the association between caregiver time costs and the clinical endpoints measured during the trials, including cognition (MMSE), function (DAD), behavior (NPI), global disability (CDR) and dependence (DS).

Progesterone-Dependent Induction of Phospholipase C-Related Catalytically Inactive Protein 1 (PRIP-1) in Decidualizing Human Endometrial Stromal Cells.

Decidualization denotes the transformation of endometrial stromal cells into specialized decidual cells. In pregnancy, decidual cells form a protective matrix around the implanting embryo, enabling coordinated trophoblast invasion and formation of a functional placenta. Continuous progesterone (P4) signaling renders decidual cells resistant to various environmental stressors, whereas withdrawal inevitably triggers tissue breakdown and menstruation or miscarriage.

Quality of Life and Utility Measurement in a Large Clinical Trial Sample of Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: Determinants and Level of Changes Observed.

Objective: To evaluate the performance (in terms of responsiveness to change, associations with other criterion standards, and indicators of Alzheimer's disease [AD] severity) of a quality-of-life measure (Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease [QOL-AD]) and a health utility measure (Health Utilities Index Mark 3 [HUI-3]) from two recently completed clinical trials of a new drug for AD.

Methods: Change from baseline scores was calculated, and treatment effects were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures. Three separate models were then estimated to examine the association between the quality-of-life/utility end points and the clinical and other health outcome end points measured during the trials, including cognition, function, behavior, and dependence.

An Analysis of the Public Financial Support Eligibility Rule for French Dependent Elders with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: It is crucial to define health policies that target patients with the highest needs. In France, public financial support is provided to dependent patients: it can be used to finance informal care time and nonmedical care use. Eligibility for public subsidies and reimbursement of costs is associated with a specific tool: the autonomie gérontologie groupes iso-ressources (AGGIR) scale score.

Insect pathogens as biological control agents: Back to the future.

The development and use of entomopathogens as classical, conservation and augmentative biological control agents have included a number of successes and some setbacks in the past 1years. In this forum paper we present current information on development, use and future directions of insect-specific viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes as components of integrated pest management strategies for control of arthropod pests of crops, forests, urban habitats, and insects of medical and veterinary importance. Insect pathogenic viruses are a fruitful source of microbial control agents (MCAs), particularly for the control of lepidopteran pests.

Frailty: a costly phenomenon in caring for elders with cognitive impairment.

Objectives: Dementia draws on a variety of public and private resources. There is increasing pressure to define the cost components in this area to improve resource allocation and accountability. The aim of this study was to characterize frailty in a group of cognitively impaired community-dwelling elders and evaluate its relationship with cost and resource utilization.

Economic Evaluation of Fidaxomicin for the Treatment of Clostridium Difficile Infection (C. difficile-associated diarrhoea) in Ireland.

Clostridium difficile is associated with 20-30% of cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI) is higher in Ireland than in other countries in Europe, and it is associated with considerable morbidity.

Medical management, costs, and consequences of Alzheimer's disease in Germany: an analysis of health claims data.

Objective: The main objective of this analysis was to assess the medical and economic differences between patients with and without diagnosed Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Analysis included co-morbidities, patterns of drug use, and clinical course, as well as the magnitude of these differences attributable to AD.

Methods: This evaluation is based on retrospective analyses of anonymized claims data from 2005-2008 provided by a large German Statutory Health Insurance (SHI).