Starfield's 4Cs of NCD management in primary healthcare: a conceptual framework development from a case study of 19 countries.

Introduction: Faced with a backdrop of an increasing chronic disease burden from an ageing global population compounded with rising healthcare costs, health systems are required to implement cost-effective, safe and equitable care through efficient service delivery models. One approach to achieving this is through Starfield's 4Cs of primary healthcare (PHC), which delineates the key attributes of a high-performing PHC system that upholds the pillars of care coordination, first contact of care, continuity of care and comprehensive care. Therefore, this study aims to explore and elucidate the key themes and subthemes related to and extending beyond Starfield's 4Cs of PHC by integrating findings from a comprehensive literature review and a qualitative study.

Latest revisions to the International Health Regulations will fail to prevent future travel chaos.

The poor management of public health risks associated with travel by most countries proved among the most contentious issue areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence from previous outbreaks suggested travel restrictions were largely unnecessary and counterproductive to timely reporting. This led to initial WHO recommendations against the use of travel restrictions.

Development of the fish invitrome for animal-free environmental risk assessment of chemicals.

Given the need to reduce animal testing for environmental risk assessment, we aim to develop a fish invitrome, an alternative fish modular framework capable of predicting chemical toxicity in fish without the use of animals. The central module of the framework is the validated RTgill-W1 cell line assay that predicts fish acute toxicity of chemicals (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Test Guideline (OECD TG) 249). Expanding towards prediction of chronic toxicity, the fish invitrome includes two other well-advanced modules for chemical bioaccumulation/biotransformation and inhibition of fish growth.

Exploring Manual Therapy in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adults: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: IBS is a prevalent gut-brain interaction disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, significantly affecting quality of life (QoL). IBS contributes to substantial work absenteeism and economic burdens and often coexists with other somatic and psychiatric conditions, with psychological well-being being a critical determinant of QoL. IBS sufferers often turn to MT due to dissatisfaction with conventional treatments.

A review on chitosan and chitosan-based bionanocomposites: Promising biological macromolecules for sustainable corrosion inhibition.

Corrosion is a significant issue affecting industrial metal surfaces, resulting in material degradation, economic losses, and safety concerns. This review comprehensively examines chitosan and its nano and bionanocomposite forms as sustainable, eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors, emphasizing key innovations in their development and application. The article highlights chitosan's ability to form protective films, which inhibit corrosion by creating a barrier on metal surfaces.

A Value Set for the EQ-5D-5L for United Arab Emirates.

Objectives To develop a value set for the EQ-5D-5L based on preferences of the general adult population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods The study followed the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L Valuation protocol and involved conducting interviewer-administered face-to-face or online interviews in Arabic or English, using the EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) with a sample of 1005 adults representing the UAE general population. Sample recruitment involved a two-stage quota sampling strategy across the seven Emirates of the UAE, ensuring representation of nationals and expatriates.

Screening for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review of Recent Economic Evaluations.

Objectives: To examine recent economic evaluations, whether any type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) screening designs may represent better value for money, and to rate their methodological qualities.

Methods: We systematically searched three concepts (economic evaluations (EEs), T2DM, screening) in three databases (Medline, Embase, and EconLit) for EEs published between 2010 and 2023. Two independent reviewers screened for and rated their methodological quality (using CHEC-Extended).

Rare Disease Policy in High-Income Countries: An Overview of Achievements, Challenges, and Solutions.

Objectives: To provide an overview of policy initiatives in high-income countries aimed at supporting the development and accessibility of treatments for rare diseases.

Methods: We examine how legislative, research, and pricing policies in high-income countries address barriers that have historically hindered innovation and access to rare disease treatments. By analysing examples from the EU, UK, US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, the article identifies ongoing initiatives, outlines current challenges, and explores proposed solutions to foster a sustainable, innovative, and accessible rare disease treatment ecosystem.

Swarms can be rational.

The emergence of collective order in swarms from local, myopic interactions of their individual members is of interest to biology, sociology, psychology, computer science, robotics, physics and economics. , whose members unknowingly work towards a common goal, are particularly perplexing: members sometimes take individual actions that maximize collective utility, at the expense of their own. This seems to contradict expectations of individual rationality.

Biolubricants from waste cooking oil: A review of extraction technologies, conversion techniques, and performance enhancement using natural antioxidants.

Effective management of agricultural and industrial by-products is essential for promoting circular economic practices and enhancing environmental sustainability. Agri-food wastes and waste cooking oil (WCO) represent two abundant residual streams with significant potential for sustainable biolubricant production. Valorizing biomass and WCO aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, as it improves energy efficiency through enhanced lubricant performance and reduced energy loss.

The benefit of national clinical guidelines for open lower limb fractures in reducing healthcare burden: A length of inpatient stay cost-analysis.

Introduction: Severe open lower limb fractures are complex and costly injuries. Studies reporting the costs associated with these injuries, the economic impact of complications, and the clinical benefit of adherence to national guidelines have been previously reported. However, the economic benefits of national guidelines and their relationship with length of inpatient stay have not been described.

Air pollution-related disease and economic burden in China, 1990-2050: A modelling study based on Global burden of disease.

The disease burden of air pollution (AP) has been well-documented, yet few studies have explored its economic burden. Retrieving disease burden data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, this study constructed a cost-of-illness (COI) model to estimate China's economic burden of AP in 1990 and 2021 and to identify national and provincial differences, then, an age-period-cohort (APC) model was adopted to estimate trends to 2050. Results demonstrated a serious load of AP, emphasizing the necessity for intervention.

Adherence to community-based lung cancer screening in the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial.

Introduction: Lung cancer screening saves lives by detecting cancers early, but continued adherence to screening rounds is required for participants to experience the maximum clinical benefit. Here we describe factors associated with screening adherence in the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial.

Methods: All eligible individuals following baseline (prevalent) screening were invited for a biennial incident screen in a community setting.

Steam washing for MSWI-FA treatment.

This study investigates steam washing (SW) as an innovative pretreatment for municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) dechlorination, useful for a more effective stabilization in cementitious matrix. By using a detailed analytical approach (XRPD, XRF, ICP-MS, IRMS, SEM) and geochemical modeling, great focus is dedicated on pollutant leaching reduction and changes in ash physicochemical characteristics as a function of exposure time. The research demonstrates that SW removes up to 70 % cadmium, 17 % zinc, and 10 % lead, primarily by dissolving the soluble and carbonate/hydroxide fractions and promoting the reprecipitation and adsorption of heavy metals into more stable compounds.

The influence of sociodemographic and health factors on adherence to home-based rehabilitation after fast-track total knee arthroplasty: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Adherence to home rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is essential to reach optimal functional outcomes, especially in fast-track procedures. The aim of this study is to identify which sociodemographic and health factors significantly affect adherence in this context.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial with 52 patients.

Effectiveness of Different Intervention Modes in Lifestyle Intervention for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and the Reversion to Normoglycemia in Adults With Prediabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Lifestyle interventions have been acknowledged as effective strategies for preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the accessibility of conventional face-to-face interventions is often limited. Digital health intervention has been suggested as a potential solution to overcome the limitation.

The TOXIN knowledge graph: supporting animal-free risk assessment of cosmetics.

The European Union's ban on animal testing for cosmetic products and their ingredients, combined with the lack of validated animal-free methods, poses challenges in evaluating their potential repeated-dose organ toxicity. To address this, innovative strategies like Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) are being explored, integrating historical animal data with new mechanistic insights from non-animal New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). This paper introduces the TOXIN knowledge graph (TOXIN KG), a tool designed to retrieve toxicological information on cosmetic ingredients, with a focus on liver-related data.

Economic impact of initial glaucoma treatment with selective laser trabeculoplasty on the Brazilian Public Health System.

Purpose: To evaluate the economic impact of the following initial treatment scenarios for glaucoma on the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS): (1) traditional continuous instillation of hypotensive eye drops and (2) single session of selective laser trabeculoplasty.

Methods: Economic impact was analyzed in three scenarios, from the least to the most conservative, for a hypothetical cohort of 5,000 individuals with open-angle glaucoma. Thereafter, projections were made on the basis of a glaucoma prevalence of 3% in the 2021 Brazilian population size.

Tree age affects key fine root morphological traits but does not interfere strongly with (ecto-)mycorrhizal traits.

Background And Aims: It is assumed that trees should adapt their above and belowground organs as they age. However, most studies to date have quantified these trait adjustments in homogeneous forest stands, confounding the effect of stand aging on soil properties and the intrinsic response of trees to aging.

Methods: Here, we examined 11 morphological, architectural, anatomical and mycorrhizal fine root traits of each of the first five orders for 66 Pinus koraiensis individuals of 16 to 285 years old in northeast China, while accounting for soil characteristics (pH and total C, N and P concentrations).

Gait Speed Modifies Efficacy of Home-Based Exercise for Falls in Older Adults with a Previous Fall: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Exercise is an evidence-based strategy for preventing falls. However, its efficacy may vary based on individual characteristics, like gait speed. The study examined whether baseline gait speed modified the effects of home-based exercise on subsequent falls among older adults.

Review of Indian studies on environmental impact assessment.

Environmental clearance in India is a legal instrument that determines potential environmental implication of organized projects in India. It entails an assessment of sensitive projects, focal points, and proposals that have potential and likely effects on social, environmental, and economic matters before they are commenced. The intended goal of this procedure is to detect negative effects on local societies, the environment in this case, so as to foster sustainable development.

Assessing the sustainable development in the European Union: influence of municipal waste, industrial waste, and waste related patents.

Waste has emerged as a pressing concern for the environment, primarily stemming from the processes of urbanization and industrialization. The substantial volumes of waste generated pose a serious threat to the environment, as they spread out harmful substances in the soil and release methane emissions into the atmosphere. To effectively address this issue, this study explores the impact of municipal and industrial waste, as well as waste-related innovation on the load capacity factor (LCF) from 2005 to 2020.

Unraveling the metabolic landscape of Exophiala spinifera strain FM: Model reconstruction, insights into biodesulfurization and beyond.

Exophiala spinifera strain FM, a black yeast and melanized ascomycete, shows potential for oil biodesulfurization by utilizing dibenzothiophene (DBT) as its sole sulfur source. However, the specific pathway and enzymes involved in this process remain unclear due to limited genome sequencing and metabolic understanding of E. spinifera.

The impact of specialised gastroenterology services for pelvic radiation disease (PRD): Results from the prospective multi-centre EAGLE study.

To undertake a mixed-methodology implementation study to improve the well-being of men with gastrointestinal late effects following radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer. All men completed a validated screening tool for late bowel effects (ALERT-B) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Score (GSRS); men with a positive score on ALERT-B were offered management following a peer reviewed algorithm for pelvic radiation disease (PRD). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at baseline, 6 and 12 months; and healthcare resource usage (HRU) and patient, support-giver, staff experience and acceptability of staff training (qualitative analysis) were assessed.