Bed occupancy and nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit: A retrospective observational study in a tertiary hospital.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a major problem globally, contributing to prolonged hospital admissions and poor outcomes.

Objectives: To examine HAI incidence and risk factors in an intensive care unit (ICU) during high v. low occupancy periods.

Mapping of the Deep Epigastric Vessels Stratified by Body Mass Index (BMI).

Objective: To investigate the positioning of deep epigastric vessels in obese patients to determine the need to redefine laparoscopic port placement 'safe zones' based on body habitus.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: University-affiliated 500-bed hospital.

An expert consensus statement on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies.

Biomarkers of ageing serve as important outcome measures in longevity-promoting interventions. However, there is limited consensus on which specific biomarkers are most appropriate for human intervention studies. This work aimed to address this need by establishing an expert consensus on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies via the Delphi method.

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta is Increased in Sputum from Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) develops in 5-10% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in those with a fibrotic phenotype. Yet, biomarkers to reliably identify RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis are inadequate. Herein, we used sputum to identify lung-based biomarkers that distinguish RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis and may better inform underlying pathogenesis in RA-ILD.

Didn't Even Blink: Dissociation, Complex Trauma Exposure and Decreased Startle Reactivity.

The startle eyeblink reflex is thought to function as a means of orienting to salient stimuli, and, by proxy, sensitivity to threat cues. The absence or attenuation of this reflex may thus suggest disengagement from one's environment, potentially in circumstances when engagement is called for, and, therefore, may serve as a potential marker for dissociation as it occurs. The present study investigates whether individual differences in startle response magnitude and habituation are attributable to early and multiple trauma exposure, dissociation, and PTSD symptom severity.