Publications by authors named "Lawton J"

Background: There is a lack of practical guidance about how to effectively mobilise knowledge at the pre-trial stage. Despite increased guidance on developing complex interventions in recent years, much of this focuses on the theory and principles behind high-quality intervention development, rather than the practical aspects of how this should be achieved. This paper shares the findings from an embedded, qualitative evaluation of the Collaborative Working Group (CWG) process, a structured approach we developed to iteratively refine a complex intervention prior to a randomised controlled trial.

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The structural and functional integrity of conduits used for coronary artery bypass grafting is critical for graft patency. Disruption of endothelial integrity and endothelial dysfunction are incurred during conduit harvesting subsequent to mechanical or thermal injury and during conduit storage prior to grafting, leading to acute thrombosis and early graft failure. Late graft failure, in particular that of vein grafts, is precipitated by progressive atherogenesis.

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Aims: We explored healthcare professionals' perceptions and understandings of the factors and considerations underlying inequities in technology access in children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: We interviewed (n = 29) healthcare professionals working in paediatric diabetes in England recruited from (n = 15) purposively selected sites. We analysed data thematically.

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Article Synopsis
  • Genetic vascular disorders, particularly multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS), result from mutations in the alpha actin isotype 2 gene and can lead to severe health issues such as stroke and early childhood death.
  • The research focused on correcting the common R179H mutation using a specially engineered CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme designed for high accuracy, decreasing unintended edits during the gene correction process.
  • By utilizing a murine model that mimics human MSMDS symptoms, the study demonstrated that delivering the customized editing tool significantly improved survival and health outcomes in affected mice, indicating potential for lasting treatments in humans.
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Background: As robotic surgeries increase nationwide, residency programs are implementing commensurate curriculum. Medical student exposure and comfort with these surgeries, however, is lagging. This program sought to improve student interest and confidence through additional robotic exposure.

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The recommendation to employ a heart team to guide revascularization has persisted for over a decade. Despite evidence for improved adherence to guidelines, widespread adoption of the heart team approach has been limited. This review delves into the history of the guidelines endorsing the use of a heart team and the supporting data.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The integrity of conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting is crucial for their long-term success, as damage during harvesting and storage can lead to graft failure or thrombosis.
  • - Effective intra-operative management involves choosing the right techniques for harvesting and protecting the conduits, as well as using vasodilators to prevent vasospasm.
  • - Post-operative care includes continuing vasodilator therapy and using medications to prevent atherosclerosis progression, with the review highlighting both established practices and areas needing further study.
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Background: Myhre syndrome is an exceedingly rare yet increasingly diagnosed genetic disorder arising from germline variants in the SMAD4 gene. Its core manifestation is the progression of stiffness and fibrosis across multiple organs. Individuals with Myhre syndrome exhibit a propensity for upper respiratory tract remodeling and infections.

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Children with hemoglobin AC or AS have decreased susceptibility to clinical malaria. Parasite variant surface antigen (VSA) presentation on the surface of infected erythrocytes is altered in erythrocytes with hemoglobin C (Hb AC) or sickle trait (Hb AS) mutations in vitro. The protective role of incomplete or altered VSA presentation against clinical malaria in individuals with Hb AC or AS is unclear.

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Background And Objectives: Preoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions increase post-operative venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) increase VTE risk in cancer patients; we aimed to assess ESA versus RBC-associated VTE risks in a broad population of surgical patients.

Materials And Methods: We queried TriNetX Diamond Network from 2006 to 2023, comparing patients with anaemia within 3 months preoperatively who received preoperative ESAs with or without intravenous (IV) iron to patients who received preoperative RBCs.

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Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is essential for tissue and organ development and is thought to contribute to cancer by enabling the establishment of metastatic lesions. Despite its importance in both health and disease, there is a lack of in vitro platforms to study MET and little is known about the regulation of MET by mechanical cues. Here, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels with dynamic and tunable stiffnesses mimicking that of normal and tumorigenic mammary tissue are synthesized.

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Risk assessment models for cardiac surgery do not distinguish between degrees of liver dysfunction. We have previously shown that preoperative liver stiffness is associated with hospital length of stay following cardiac surgery. The authors hypothesized that a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 9.

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Aims: The DAFNEplus programme incorporates behaviour change techniques into a modified educational intervention and was developed to help address the glycaemic drift observed amongst graduates of standard DAFNE programmes. As the programme's success will be contingent on staff buy-in, we explored healthcare professionals' experiences of, and views about, delivering DAFNEplus during a clinical trial to help inform decision making about rollout post-trial.

Methods: We interviewed n = 18 nurses and dieticians who delivered DAFNEplus during the trial.

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Objective: To compare continence outcomes in post-prostatectomy patients undergoing supervised in-person versus online pelvic floor muscle training and pelvic floor education (iPMFT vs oPFMT/PFE). Despite the proven benefit of in-person PFMT for urinary incontinence (UI) following prostatectomy, numerous barriers impede access. We developed a comprehensive online program to deliver oPFMT/PFE.

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Aims: The DAFNEplus programme seeks to promote sustained improvements in glycaemic management by incorporating techniques from behavioural science. It includes five sessions of structured individual support delivered over 12 months following group education. As part of a broader evaluation, and to inform decision-making about roll-out in routine care, we explored participants' experiences of, and engagement with, that individual support.

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Introduction: In the United Kingdom, fractures of the cervical dens process in older and/or frail patients are usually managed nonsurgically in a hard collar. However, hard collars can lead to complications and this management approach is now being questioned, with growing interest in maximising patients' short-term quality-of-life. It is vital that patients' perspectives are considered; yet, there is a dearth of literature examining the aspect.

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