Wastewater sample storage for physicochemical and microbiological analysis.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a crucial tool for health and environmental monitoring, providing real-time data on public health indicators by analysis of sewage samples. Ensuring the integrity of these samples from collection to analysis is paramount. This study investigates the effects of different cold-storage conditions on the integrity of wastewater samples, focusing on both microbiological markers (such as extractable nucleic acids, SARS-CoV-2, and crAssphage) and physicochemical parameters (including ammonium, orthophosphate, pH, conductivity, and turbidity).

Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding reveals spatial and sexual variation in the diet of a scarce woodland bird.

Avian diet can be affected by site-specific variables, such as habitat, as well as intrinsic factors such as sex. This can lead to dietary niche separation, which reduces competition between individuals, as well as impacting how well avian species can adapt to environmental variation. Estimating dietary niche separation is challenging, due largely to difficulties in accurately identifying food taxa consumed.

Herbivorous dietary selection shown by hawfinch () within mixed woodland habitats.

Knowledge of diet and dietary selectivity is vital, especially for the conservation of declining species. Accurately obtaining this information, however, is difficult, especially if the study species feeds on a wide range of food items within heterogeneous and inaccessible environments, such as the tree canopy. Hawfinches (), like many woodland birds, are declining for reasons that are unclear.

Determination of thyroid volume in infants with suspected congenital hypothyroidism-the limitations of both subjective and objective evaluation.

Objective: To compare two methods of assessing gland size on thyroid ultrasound in newborn infants with suspected congenital hypothyroidism (CH).

Methods: Images from infants with eutopic glands referred between 2007 and 2013 were evaluated blind by two sets of observers. Subjective gland size was categorised as small, borderline-small, normal, borderline-large and large.

What factors influence midwives to provide obstetric high dependency care on the delivery suite or request care be escalated away from the obstetric unit? Findings of a focus group study.

Background: In the United Kingdom, midwives will engage in discussions with the multidisciplinary team as to whether they can provide Obstetric High Dependency Care (OHDC) on the Delivery Suite or whether a woman's care should be escalated to the critical care team. This study aimed to explore the question: What factors influence midwives to provide OHDC or request care be escalated away from the obstetric unit in hospitals remote from tertiary referral centres?

Methods: Focus groups were undertaken with midwives (n = 34) across three obstetric units in England, with annual birth rates ranging from 1500 to 5000 per annum, in District General Hospitals. Three scenarios in the form of video vignettes of handover were used as triggers for the focus groups.

Early Postnatal Ventricular Dysfunction Is Associated with Disease Severity in Patients with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Objective: To assess patterns of postnatal ventricular function and their relationship to prenatal and postnatal markers of disease severity in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: In this observational case-control study of cardiac function in infants with CDH in the first 5 days of life, systolic and diastolic function in the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) were assessed using speckle tracking echocardiography-derived global strain and tissue Doppler imaging. Correlation between cardiac function and prenatal observed:expected total fetal lung volume (TFLV), oxygenation index (OI), duration of intubation, and hospital length of stay were assessed.

The diagnosis and lived experience of polycystic ovary syndrome: A qualitative study.

Aims: To explore the impact of the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome on health/ill health identity, how women experience this diagnosis and their health beliefs.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common and heterogeneous condition, giving rise to a wide range of different health concerns. Previous research on polycystic ovary syndrome has been dominated by the medical perspective and less is known about the experiences and needs of women.

"Renewed" "older" motherhood/mothering: a qualitative exploration.

This UK-based qualitative study explored multiparous women's experiences of being "older" mothers. Respondents were "renewed mothers" who had a child/children relatively early in their reproductive careers and then again after 35 years of age. Key themes arising from the empirical data were: instrumental role of male partners in post-35 mothering, purported "renewal" of self in the face of menopause/diminution of mothering, caring for teenagers and babies/toddlers simultaneously, and subjection to criticisms of "wrong-aged" motherhood.

A longitudinal investigation into the functional and physical durability of insoles used for the preventive management of neuropathic diabetic feet.

Background: Insoles are commonly used to assist in the prevention of diabetic neuropathic foot ulceration. Insole replacement is often triggered only when foot lesions deteriorate, an indicator that functional performance is comprised and patients are exposed to unnecessary ulcer risk. We investigated the durability of insoles used for ulcer prevention in neuropathic diabetic feet over 12 months.

Raising awareness of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aim: To identify women's experience of receiving information about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and develop an information booklet.

Method: Women from Cornwall with a diagnosis of PCOS participated in focus groups to discuss their experiences of the condition.

Findings: Participants described difficulties in sourcing credible and helpful information about PCOS.

A multidisciplinary team model of caring for patients with perianal Crohn's disease incorporating a literature review, topical therapy and personal practice.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterised by periods of relapse and remission. Over time the disease leads almost inevitably to the complications of stricturing, penetration and fistulisation. Perianal CD involves areas of chronic abscess formation, ulceration, skin tags or fistula formation.

Pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes: family support in managing the pregnancy process.

In this paper, we report on findings from a Diabetes UK funded qualitative research project concerned to explore daughter/mother relationships during pregnancy and the transition to motherhood of women with pre-existing diabetes. In-depth qualitative interviews took place with 12 pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes and four of their mothers, three (male) partners and one father. The study was exploratory in nature and aimed to consider what support pregnant women felt they needed and what support they received from their mothers and other family members to discover policy and practice needs and identify further research concerns.

A comparison of customised and prefabricated insoles to reduce risk factors for neuropathic diabetic foot ulceration: a participant-blinded randomised controlled trial.

Background: Neuropathic diabetic foot ulceration may be prevented if the mechanical stress transmitted to the plantar tissues is reduced. Insole therapy is one practical method commonly used to reduce plantar loads and ulceration risk. The type of insole best suited to achieve this is unknown.

Effects of diabetes on women's reproductive health.

Diabetes is a serious public health concern in the UK. For women this long-term condition poses challenges throughout life, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health. Healthcare professionals need to have an understanding of how diabetes affects women's reproductive health to provide appropriate advice, thereby empowering women, their partners and families to make appropriate decisions.

Women with pre-existing diabetes and their experiences of maternity care services.

Aims And Objectives: the aims of the study were to explore the experience of maternity care services used by women whose pregnancy is complicated by pre-existing diabetes, to gain a deeper understanding of service use and to identify aspects of services that women with pre-existing diabetes would like improved.

Background: for women with pre-existing diabetes; pregnancy, birth and the transition to motherhood can be complex and even chaotic. The aim of specialist diabetes care given during pregnancy and delivered by a specialist team of health-care professionals is to optimise pregnancy outcome.

The validity and reliability of weight and height measurements and body mass index calculations in early pregnancy.

Background: Obesity is increasing in the UK and this is having an impact on the health of pregnant women and their infants. It is recommended that all pregnant women have their height and weight measured and their body mass index (BMI, kg m(-) ²) calculated and recorded in the midwifery notes. The aim of the present audit was to determine the extent of compliance with this recommendation.

Assessing the impact of nurse and allied health professional consultants: developing an activity diary.

Aims: To construct and test an activity diary designed to measure the impact and explore the activities of nurse and allied health professional consultants in relation to each speciality and function of the role.

Background: This was part of a funded feasibility study to assess the contribution of nurse and allied health professional consultants.

Design: This was an exploratory study.

Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in polycystic ovary syndrome: what are the risks and can they be reduced?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but these risks are poorly defined. This study aimed to evaluate the evidence for these risks and whether screening and risk reduction are feasible. Medline reviews and data quality analysis were used using standard tools.

Breastfeeding promotion for infants in neonatal units: a systematic review.

Background: Breastfeeding/breastmilk feeding of infants in neonatal units is vital to the preservation of short- and long-term health, but rates are very low in many neonatal units internationally. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical, public health and health promotion interventions that may promote or inhibit breastfeeding/breastmilk feeding for infants admitted to neonatal units.

Methods: Systematic review with narrative synthesis.

Effectiveness of insoles used for the prevention of ulceration in the neuropathic diabetic foot: a systematic review.

Context: Ulceration can be a debilitating and costly complication of the neuropathic diabetic foot. Insoles inserted into footwear are routinely used in clinical practice to help to prevent ulceration. AIM AND SCOPE OF THE REVIEW: This review evaluated the effectiveness of insoles used for the prevention of ulcer in the neuropathic diabetic foot.