Longitudinal trajectories of the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) visual analogue scales: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is disabling. However, the different factors contributing to this disability and how these change over time have been little studied. Our aim was to examine the trajectories over time of the six visual analogue scales (VAS) of the scleroderma HAQ (SHAQ), associations of disease-related factors with these trajectories, and relationships with overall functional ability.

Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing.

Purpose: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 raised concerns about the best sampling sites for PCR testing, with early indications suggesting throat swab samples were better than nasal swab samples. Our study evaluated the sensitivity of detecting SARS-CoV-2 across different swabbing sites.

Methods: Participants undergoing testing at NHS Test and Trace sites in England provided self-collected samples using nose only, throat only, and combined nose and throat swabs, which were analysed by realtime PCR.

Development of a measuring app for systemic sclerosis-related digital ulceration (SALVE: Scleroderma App for Lesion VErification).

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that photographs (in addition to self-reported data) can be collected daily by patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) using a smartphone app designed specifically for digital lesions, and could provide an objective outcome measure for use in clinical trials.

Methods: An app was developed to collect images and patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) including Pain score and the Hand Disability in Systemic Sclerosis-Digital Ulcers (HDISS-DU) questionnaire. Participants photographed their lesion(s) each day for 30 days and uploaded images to a secure repository.

Baseline perihematomal edema, C-reactive protein, and 30-day mortality are not associated in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: The relationship between baseline perihematomal edema (PHE) and inflammation, and their impact on survival after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are not well understood.

Objective: Assess the association between baseline PHE, baseline C-reactive protein (CRP), and early death after ICH.

Methods: Analysis of pooled data from multicenter ICH registries.

Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS): Feasibility Testing of a Co-developed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention to Support Psychological Adjustment After Stroke.

Objective: Feasibility test a co-developed intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support psychological adjustment post-stroke, delivered by a workforce with community in-reach.

Design: Observational feasibility study utilising patient, carer, public involvement.

Setting: Online.

Reported Hearing Outcome Measures Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Scoping Review.

 Evidence on hearing outcome measures when assessing hearing preservation following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for adults with vestibular schwannoma (VS) has not previously been collated in a structured review.  The objective of the present study was to perform a scoping review of the evidence regarding the choice of hearing outcomes and other methodological characteristics following SRS for adults with VS.  The protocol was registered in the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY) and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension guidelines for scoping reviews.

Individualised gonadotropin dose selection using markers of ovarian reserve for women undergoing in vitro fertilisation plus intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI).

Background: During a stimulated cycle of in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI), women receive daily doses of gonadotropin follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to induce multifollicular development in the ovaries. A normal response to stimulation (e.g.

Fiber chromatographic enabled process intensification increases monoclonal antibody product yield.

The most straightforward method to increase monoclonal antibody (mAb) product yield is to complete the purification process in less steps. Here, three different fiber chromatographic devices were implemented using a holistic approach to intensify the mAb purification process and increase yield. Fiber protein A (proA) chromatography was first investigated, but traditional depth filtration was not sufficient in reducing the contaminant load as the fiber proA device prematurely fouled.

Gynecological trials frequently exclude people based on their symptoms rather than their condition: a systematic review of Cochrane reviews and their component trials.

Objectives: To identify strategies used in recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and their associated Cochrane Reviews where patients with the same gynecological condition present with different symptoms but would plausibly benefit from a common intervention.

Study Design And Setting: We searched the Cochrane library (February 2022) for reviews in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Reviews were included if the intervention was intended to treat all condition-specific symptoms.

Does stroke-associated pneumonia play an important role on risk of in-hospital mortality associated with severe stroke? A four-way decomposition analysis of a national cohort of stroke patients.

Background: Severe strokes and stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) have long been associated with poorer patient health outcomes, for example, in-hospital mortality. However, it is unclear what role SAP plays in the risk of in-hospital mortality associated with a severe stroke at admission.

Methods: Using the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Program data on stroke admissions (2013-2018) in England and Wales, we modeled the "total" effect for severe stroke on risk of in-hospital mortality.

Early mobilisation is associated with lower subacute blood pressure and variability in ICH: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Very early rehabilitation after stroke appears to worsen outcome, particularly in intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Plausible mechanisms include increased mean blood pressure (BP) and BP variability.

Aims: To test associations between early mobilisation, subacute BP and survival, in observational data of ICH patients during routine clinical care.

Molecular biomarkers predicting newly detected atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke or TIA: A systematic review.

Background: Several molecular biomarkers are available that predict newly detected atrial fibrillation (NDAF). We aimed to identify such biomarkers that predict NDAF after an Ischaemic stroke (IS)/Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) and evaluate their performance.

Methods: A systematic review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Toward Causal Understanding of Therapist-Client Relationships: A Study of Language Modality and Social Entrainment.

The relationship between a therapist and their client is one of the most critical determinants of successful therapy. The is a multifaceted concept capturing the collaborative aspect of the therapist-client relationship; a strong working alliance has been extensively linked to many positive therapeutic outcomes. Although therapy sessions are decidedly multimodal interactions, the language modality is of particular interest given its recognized relationship to similar dyadic concepts such as rapport, cooperation, and affiliation.

Increased Circulating Chemokines and Macrophage Recruitment in Growing Vestibular Schwannomas.

Background: There is evidence that macrophage infiltration in the tumor microenvironment promotes vestibular schwannoma (VS) growth. Efficacy of bevacizumab in NF2-associated VS demonstrates the value of therapies targeting the microvascular tumor microenvironment, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) may represent another druggable target.

Objective: To characterize the relationship between growth, TAM infiltration, and circulating monocyte chemokines in a large cohort of patients with VS.

Single-stage chromatographic clarification of Chinese Hamster Ovary cell harvest reduces cost of protein production.

A single-stage clarification was developed using a single-use chromatographic clarification device (CCD) to recover a recombinant protein from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) harvest cell culture fluid (HCCF). Clarification of a CHO HCCF is a complex and costly process, involving multiple stages of centrifugation and/or depth filtration to remove cells and debris and to reduce process-related impurities such as host cell protein (HCP), nucleic acids, and lipids. When using depth filtration, the filter train consists of multiple filters of varying ratios, layers, pore sizes, and adsorptive properties.

Feasibility study of mobile phone photography as a possible outcome measure of systemic sclerosis-related digital lesions.

Objective: Clinical trials assessing systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related digital ulcers have been hampered by a lack of reliable outcome measures of healing. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of patients collecting high-quality mobile phone images of their digital lesions as a first step in developing a smartphone-based outcome measure.

Methods: Patients with SSc-related digital (finger) lesions photographed one or more lesions each day for 30 days using their smartphone and uploaded the images to a secure Dropbox folder.

A study of prisms and therapy in attention loss after stroke (SPATIAL): A feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Investigate feasibility and acceptability of prism adaptation training for people with inattention (spatial neglect), early after stroke, during usual care.

Design: Phase II feasibility randomised controlled trial with 3:1 stratified allocation to standard occupational therapy with or without intervention, and nested process evaluation.

Setting: Ten hospital sites providing in-patient stroke services.

Does PGT-A improve assisted reproduction treatment success rates: what can the UK Register data tell us?

Purpose: To show how naïve analyses of aggregated UK ART Register data held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to estimate the effects of PGT-A can be severely misleading and to indicate how it may be possible to do a more credible analysis. Given the limitations of the Register, we consider the extent to which such an analysis has the potential to answer questions about the real-world effectiveness of PGT-A.

Methods: We utilise the publicly available Register datasets and construct logistic regression models for live birth events (LBE) which adjust for confounding.

Goals, Tasks, and Bonds: Toward the Computational Assessment of Therapist Versus Client Perception of Working Alliance.

Early client dropout is one of the most significant challenges facing psychotherapy: recent studies suggest that at least one in five clients will leave treatment prematurely. Clients may terminate therapy for various reasons, but one of the most common causes is the lack of a strong . The concept of working alliance captures the collaborative relationship between a client and their therapist when working toward the progress and recovery of the client seeking treatment.

Do Stroke Care Processes Modify Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Stroke-Associated Pneumonia? A Registry Cohort Study in England and Wales.

Introduction: It is not known whether modern stroke unit care reduces the impact of stroke complications, such as stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP), on clinical outcomes. We investigated the relationship between SAP and clinical outcomes, adjusting for the confounding effects of stroke care processes and their timing.

Methods: The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme provided patient data for all confirmed strokes between April 2013 and December 2018.

Nailfold capillaroscopy: a survey of current UK practice and 'next steps' to increase uptake among rheumatologists.

Objectives: To identify barriers to the use of nailfold capillaroscopy as a diagnostic tool for patients presenting with Raynaud's phenomenon in UK rheumatology centres and to obtain rheumatologists' views on a proposed internet-based standardized system for clinical reporting of nailfold capillaroscopy images.

Methods: An online survey was developed using expert opinion from clinicians, scientists and health service researchers. The survey was piloted and sent to UK-based rheumatologists using established electronic mailing lists between October 2020 and March 2021.

The Timing of Stroke Care Processes and Development of Stroke Associated Pneumonia: A National Registry Cohort Study.

Introduction: Timely stroke care can result in significant improvements in stroke recovery. However, little is known about how stroke care processes relate to complications such as the development of stroke associated pneumonia (SAP). Here we investigated associations between stroke care processes, their timing and development of SAP.

Investigating the association between inpatient stroke therapy and disability, destination on discharge, length of stay and mortality: a prospective cohort study using the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme.

Objective: 'More is better' is a recognised mantra within stroke therapy, however, this has been developed in patients receiving long term rehabilitation. We investigated the relationship between amount of therapy received (from therapists and psychologists) and key patient outcomes during inpatient care.

Design: A secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study was performed.