Attitudes of health and social care professionals towards the use of blended diets for enteral tube feeding for children and young people.

Using a blended diet as an alternative to commercial formula is becoming more popular amongst parents and carers of children and young people (CYP) requiring long-term enteral tube feeding (ETF). Emerging evidence has demonstrated physiological and social benefits; however, families report feeling unsupported to use a blended diet in settings outside the home. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of health and social care staff towards the use of blended diets for CYP.

Nutrition Messaging by Healthcare Students: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Social Media Usage and Digital Competence.

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic leads to a significant digital transformation in higher education and healthcare practices. This study aimed to investigate the level of digital competence, views and experiences, social media usage, and perceived barriers to digital communication among healthcare students.

Method: Employing a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were gathered through an online survey, while qualitative insights were gleaned from semi-structured questionnaire responses obtained during focus group discussions.

Impact of 5 years of hepatitis C testing and treatment in the North East of England prisons.

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is prevalent in prisons. Therefore, effective prison HCV services are critical for HCV elimination programmes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a regional HCV prison testing and treatment programme.

Impact of enteral immunonutrition on infectious complications and immune and inflammatory markers in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Background: There is increasing awareness of the importance of nutritional support in cancer treatment including the interaction with immunity. Immunonutrition is the provision of one or more nutrients (e.g.

The safety and efficacy of probiotic supplementation for critically ill adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: The safety and efficacy of probiotics during severe illness has been a subject of ongoing interest. The impact of probiotics can worsen nutritional status, which could potentially result in a deterioration of the patient's overall life-threatening status.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of probiotics in reducing intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections in adult critically ill patients.

Determining the frequency and characteristics of Hepatitis C reinfections in North East England.

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is common, and injecting drug use is the major risk factor for acquisition. Understanding HCV reinfection following treatment is an important consideration for HCV elimination programmes. The aim of this work was to assess the frequency and patterns of HCV reinfection in our region to develop avoidance strategies.

Efficacy of lifestyle intervention program for Arab women with prediabetes using social media as an alternative platform of delivery.

Aims/introduction: This 6-month interventional study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different educational programs among Saudi women with prediabetes referred by primary care.

Materials And Methods: A total of 253 (100 group education program [GEP], 84 WhatsApp education program [WEP] and 69 control group [CG]) eligible participants were invited to take part in the study, out of whom 120 received intervention (40 GEP, 43 WEP and 37 CG). GEP participants received focused, individualized lifestyle modification advice with bimonthly support sessions, WEP participants received the same intervention, but delivered through social media (WhatsApp).

The nutrition transition in Malaysia; key drivers and recommendations for improved health outcomes.

Background: The main purpose of this paper is to understand the multidimensional phenomenon of the nutrition transition in Malaysia, from 1980 to 2014, to inform future policies for a healthier nation.

Methods: Food and health data were obtained through Food Balance Sheets, Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) and National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMS) for year-to-year review. Interaction between changes in food supplies and dietary trends and the progression of diet-related diseases and risk factors in tandem with demographic and socioeconomic transitions were observed using quasi-historical approach.

CRISPR-Cas9-Based Genome Editing in the Silverleaf Whitefly ().

cryptic species Middle East-Asia Minor I (MEAM1) is a serious agricultural polyphagous insect pest and vector of numerous plant viruses, causing major worldwide economic losses. control is limited by lack of robust gene editing tools. Gene editing is difficult in due to small embryos that are technically challenging to inject and which have high mortality post injection.

Curve Modulation and Apex Migration Using Shilla Growth Guidance Rods for Early-onset Scoliosis at 5-Year Follow-up.

Background: The Shilla procedure was designed to correct and control early-onset spinal deformity while harnessing a child's remaining spinal growth. It allows for controlled axial skeletal growth within the construct, avoiding the need for frequent surgeries to lengthen implants. We hypothesized that curve characteristics evolve over time after initial apex fusion and placement of the Shilla implants.

Identification of Education Models to Improve Health Outcomes in Arab Women with Pre-Diabetes.

Few evaluations of interventions to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Saudi Arabia (SA) have been undertaken. The present study evaluates the impact of a 6-month intensive lifestyle modification intervention delivered in primary care. Females from SA with prediabetes, aged 18-55 years, were recruited with 190 participants eligible following screening and randomly allocated to receive a 3-month one-on-one, intensive lifestyle modification (intervention group (IG) = 95) or standard guidance (control group (CG) = 95).

The Impact of Dairy Protein Intake on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance in Middle-Aged to Older Adults with or without Existing Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sarcopenia is an age-related condition associated with a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Insufficient protein intake is a risk factor for sarcopenia. Protein supplementation is suggested to improve muscle anabolism and function in younger and older adults.

Expansion Thoracoplasty as a Life-Saving Procedure in an Adolescent With Severe Spinal Deformity and Sacral Agenesis.

Study Design: Case report.

Objectives: To describe use of expansion thoracoplasty (ET) for severe thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) in an adolescent with severe spinal deformity.

Background: ET is typically performed in young patients with TIS to increase chest cavity volume, improve alveolar expansion, and potentially improve alveolar proliferation.

Radiographic Outcomes of Shilla Growth Guidance System and Traditional Growing Rods Through Definitive Treatment.

Study Design: Retrospective review of a multicenter database.

Objectives: To compare the radiographic outcomes of patients who had undergone the Shilla Growth Guidance System (SGGS) and traditional growing rod (GR) treatment for management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) through definitive treatment.

Summary Of Background Data: The efficacy of surgical treatment of EOS can only be determined after definitive treatment has been completed.

Associations between children's diet quality and watching television during meal or snack consumption: A systematic review.

Studies have identified an association between watching television (TV) and childhood obesity. This review adds context to existing research by examining the associations between TV viewing, whilst eating, and children's diet quality. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched from January 2000 to June 2014.

Shilla Growth Guidance for Early-Onset Scoliosis: Results After a Minimum of Five Years of Follow-up.

Background: The Shilla growth guidance technique was developed to allow growth during treatment of a child's spinal deformity without requiring repeated surgery for lengthening procedures. Dual stainless-steel rods are fixed posteriorly to the corrected apex via pedicle screws with a limited fusion at the apex and are combined with sliding pedicle screws to allow vertebral growth in a cephalad and caudad direction.

Methods: A retrospective study of the original forty patients treated with the Shilla method for a severe deformity of a growing spine was performed to determine the efficacy of the procedure.

Prehospital Stroke Identification: Factors Associated with Diagnostic Accuracy.

Background: Stroke patients misdiagnosed by emergency medical services (EMS) providers have been shown to receive delayed in-hospital care. We aim at determining the diagnostic accuracy of Fire Department of New York (FDNY) EMS providers for stroke and identifying potential reasons for misdiagnosis.

Methods: Prehospital care reports of all patients transported by FDNY EMS to 3 hospitals from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2011, were compared against the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) database (reference standard) for the diagnosis of stroke.

A systematic review investigating interventions that can help reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in children leading to changes in body fatness.

Background: Both the prevalence of childhood obesity and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have increased globally. The present review describes interventions that reduce the consumption of SSBs in children and determines whether this leads to subsequent changes in body fatness.

Methods: Three databases were searched from 2000 to August 2013.

Socio-economic and behavioural determinants of fruit and vegetable intake in Moroccan women.

Objective: To estimate daily fruit and vegetable intakes and to investigate socio-economic and behavioural differences in fruit and vegetable consumption among urban Moroccan women.

Design: A cross-sectional survey. Fruit and vegetable intake was measured with a single 24 h recall.

The Shilla growth guidance technique for early-onset spinal deformities at 2-year follow-up: a preliminary report.

Background: The Shilla growth guidance technique has been developed to treat spinal deformities without the necessity of repeated operative lengthenings. The dual stainless steel rods are fixed to the corrected apex of the curve by pedicle screws with limited fusion about the apex. Vertebral growth occurs in a cephalad and caudad direction through extraperiosteally placed sliding pedicle screws.

Reproducibility and relative validity of a brief quantitative food frequency questionnaire for assessing fruit and vegetable intakes in North-African women.

Background: In the context of a rapidly increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, fruit and vegetables could play a key preventive role. To date, there is no rapid assessment tool available for measuring the fruit and vegetable intakes of North-African women. The present study aimed to investigate the reproducibility and relative validity of an eight-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire that measures the fruit and vegetable intakes (FV-FFQ) of Moroccan women.

Long-term outcomes of anterior spinal fusion with instrumentation for thoracolumbar and lumbar curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective review of the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of anterior spinal fusion with instrumentation for thoracolumbar and lumbar curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objective: To evaluate a group of patients based on Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-30 and Oswestry data as well as radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and report the results of long-term follow-up of this surgical treatment for this particular curve pattern in AIS.

Summary Of Background Data: Anterior spinal fusion with instrumentation has been used for many years in the treatment of thoracolumbar and lumbar curves in AIS.

Trends in adolescent lumbar disk herniation.

The authors have retrospectively studied the trends in etiology, symptoms, and rate of recurrence for adolescents with disk herniations to determine the age at onset of symptoms, mechanism of injury, familial history, pattern of symptoms, level of herniation, method of treatment, and rate of recurrence. The review revealed a higher incidence of adolescent lumbar disk herniations in female patients and a higher percentage of patients with a family history than previously reported. Leg pain continues to be the primary presenting symptom in this group of patients and is often not recognized as the radicular pain of a herniated disk by the primary care physician.

Spatial and rainfall related patterns of bacterial contamination in Sydney Harbour estuary.

Water quality in recreational areas in Sydney Harbour, Australia, was analysed first to identify spatial patterns in faecal coliform and enterococci densities, and then to determine the relationship between bacterial densities and catchment rainfall. Non-metric multidimensional scaling separated sites closest to the mouth of the harbour from those further up the harbour's west and north-west arms. Sites closest to the harbour mouth generally had lower frequencies of high bacterial densities that exceeded median water quality guideline values.

Innate immunity, gut integrity, and vitamin A in Gambian and Indian infants.

Gut integrity, which can be measured by the urinary lactulose:mannitol excretion test, deteriorates with the introduction of weaning foods. In The Gambia, gut integrity measured monthly over 15 months in 119 infants (aged 2-15 months) was least impaired from April to June. This coincides with the time of year of maximum vitamin A (VA) intake-the mango season.