This study explores the cobenefits of reduced nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), and particulate matter (PM), through net zero (NZ) climate policy in the UK. Two alternative NZ scenarios, the balanced net zero (BNZP) and widespread innovation (WI) pathways, from the UK Climate Change Committee's Sixth Carbon Budget, were examined using a chemical transport model (CTM). Under the UK existing policy, Business as Usual (BAU), reductions in NO and PM were predicted by 2030 due to new vehicle technologies but plateau by 2040.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe burden of diseases attributable to air pollution is comparable to those of global health risks such as unhealthy diets and tobacco smoking, with many air pollution sources also emitting climate heating gases. In this UK study we estimated the co-benefits of Net Zero (NZ) climate policy on the health benefits of air pollution reduction, increased active travel, outdoor exposure inequalities and indoor air pollution changes. The study focused on two of the largest UK sources, road transport and building heating, with comparisons made between NZ and UK existing policy, referred to as Business as Usual (BAU).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction In October 2020, a national rapid prenatal exome sequencing (pES) service was rolled out across the English National Health Service (NHS). This service is delivered by multiple clinical and two laboratory teams. Whilst there was high level national guidance to support implementation, it was unclear how the service has been delivered in practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancers evolve not only through the acquisition and clonal transmission of somatic mutations but also by epigenetic mechanisms that modify cell phenotype. Here, we use histology-guided and spatial transcriptomics to characterize hepatoblastoma, a childhood liver cancer that exhibits significant histologic and proliferative heterogeneity despite clonal activating mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Highly proliferative regions with embryonal histology show high expression of Wnt target genes, the embryonic biliary transcription factor SOX4, and striking focal expression of the growth factor FGF19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: While associations between ambient air pollution and respiratory health in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are well studied, little is known about individuals' personal exposure to pollution and associated health effects by source.
Aim: To separate measured total personal exposure into indoor-generated and outdoor-generated pollution and use these improved metrics in health models for establishing more reliable associations with exacerbations and respiratory symptoms.
Methods: We enrolled a panel of 76 patients with COPD and continuously measured their personal exposure to particles and gaseous pollutants and location with portable monitors for 134 days on average.
Prenatal sequencing tests are being introduced into clinical practice in many developed countries. In part due to its greater ability to detect genetic variation, offering prenatal sequencing can present ethical challenges. Here we review ethical issues arising following the implementation of prenatal sequencing in the English National Health Service (NHS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Prisoners face inequalities relating to health and social care and educational needs. Peer support (prisoners providing support to other prisoners) is used in addition to professional support to address needs. It is not clear how effective or cost-effective peer-support services are, how they are implemented or experienced, or how best to evaluate such schemes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrphanet J Rare Dis
September 2024
Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) has been identified as a major global health concern; however, the importance of specific chemical PM components remains uncertain. Recent studies have suggested that carbonaceous aerosols are important detrimental components of the particle mixture. Using time-series methods, we investigated associations between short-term exposure to carbonaceous particles and mortality in London, UK.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The adoption of remote healthcare methods has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but evidence suggests that some patients need additional support to engage remotely, potentially increasing health disparities if needs are not met. This study of COVID-19 remote home monitoring services across England explores experiences of and engagement with the service across different patient groups.
Methods: This was a mixed-methods study with survey and interview data collected from 28 services across England between February and June 2021.
Background: Air pollution health risk assessment (HRA) has been typically conducted for all causes and cause-specific mortality based on concentration-response functions (CRFs) from meta-analyses that synthesize the evidence on air pollution health effects. There is a need for a similar systematic approach for HRA for morbidity outcomes, which have often been omitted from HRA of air pollution, thus underestimating the full air pollution burden. We aimed to compile from the existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses CRFs for the incidence of several diseases that could be applied in HRA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPharmacoecon Open
September 2024
Background: Remote home monitoring services emerged as critical components of health care delivery from NHS England during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to provide timely interventions and reduce health care system burden. Two types of service were offered: referral by community health services to home-based care to ensure the right people were admitted to the hospital at the right time (called COVID Oximetry@home, CO@h); and referral by hospital to support patients' transition from hospital to home (called COVID-19 Virtual Ward, CVW). The information collected for the oxygen levels and other symptoms was provided via digital means (technology-enabled) or over the phone (analogue-only submission mode).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: In October 2020, rapid prenatal exome sequencing (pES) was introduced into routine National Health Service (NHS) care in England, requiring the coordination of care from specialist genetics, fetal medicine (FM) and laboratory services. This mixed methods study explored the experiences of professionals involved in delivering the pES service during the first 2 years of its delivery in the NHS.
Methods: A survey ( = 159) and semi-structured interviews ( = 63) with healthcare professionals, including clinical geneticists, FM specialists, and clinical scientists (interviews only) were used to address: 1) Views on the pES service; 2) Capacity and resources involved in offering pES; 3) Awareness, knowledge, and educational needs; and 4) Ambitions and goals for the future.
Objectives: In October 2020, rapid prenatal exome sequencing (pES) was introduced into routine National Health Service (NHS) care in England. This study aimed to explore parent experiences and their information and support needs from the perspective of parents offered pES and of health professionals involved in its delivery.
Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 women and 6 male partners and 63 fetal medicine and genetic health professionals.
Superior mesenteric artery aneurysms are rare; however, current guidelines suggest they all require repair due to the high rupture and mortality rates, and endovascular repair is an effective management strategy. Iodinated contrast traditionally used in endovascular repair can cause significant complications, including severe allergic reactions and contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic renal disease. Therefore, other imaging methods should be used during endovascular procedures to reduce these risks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Poorly coordinated care can have major impacts on patients and families affected by rare conditions, with negative physical health, psychosocial and financial consequences. This study aimed to understand how care is coordinated for rare diseases in the United Kingdom.
Methods: We undertook a national survey in the UK involving 760 adults affected by rare diseases, 446 parents/carers of people affected by rare diseases, and 251 healthcare professionals who care for people affected by rare diseases.
Background: Remote home monitoring services were developed and implemented for patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic. Patients monitored blood oxygen saturation and other readings (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study was part of a process evaluation for a single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study comparing Better Conversations with Primary Progressive Aphasia (BCPPA), an approach to communication partner training, with no speech and language therapy treatment. It was necessary to explore fidelity of delivery (delivery of intervention components) and intervention enactment (participants' use of intervention skills in the form of conversation behaviours comprising facilitators, that enhance the conversational flow, and barriers, that impeded the flow of conversation). This study aimed to: (1) Outline an adapted methodological process that uses video observation, to measure both fidelity of delivery and enactment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate patient and staff experiences of using technology-enabled ('tech-enabled') and analogue remote home monitoring models for COVID-19, implemented in England during the pandemic.
Methods: Twenty-eight sites were selected for diversity in a range of criteria (e.g.
Cationic alkaline-earth complexes attract interest for their enhanced Lewis acidity and reactivity compared with their neutral counterparts. Synthetic protocols to these complexes generally utilize expensive specialized reagents in reactions generating multiple by-products. We have studied a simple ligand transfer approach to these complexes using (NacNac)MgR and ER (NacNac = β-diketiminate anion; E = group 13 element; R = aryl/amido anion) which demonstrates high atom economy, opening up the ability to target these species in a more sustainable manner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe estimated health effects of air pollution vary between studies, and this variation is caused by factors associated with the study location, hereafter termed regional heterogeneity. This heterogeneity raises a methodological question as to which studies should be used to estimate risks in a specific region in a health impact assessment. Should one use all studies across the world, or only those in the region of interest? The current study provides novel insight into this question in two ways.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Remote home monitoring services for patients at risk of rapid deterioration introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic had important implications for the health workforce. This study explored the nature of 'work' that health care staff in England undertook to manage patients with COVID-19 remotely, how they were supported to deliver these new services, and the factors that influenced delivery of COVID-19 remote home monitoring services for staff.
Methods: We conducted a rapid mixed-methods evaluation of COVID-19 remote home monitoring services during November 2020 to July 2021 using a cross-sectional survey of a purposive sample of staff involved in delivering the service (clinical leads, frontline delivery staff and those involved in data collection and management) from 28 sites across England.