Cumulative Dispensing of Oral Corticosteroids Over 12 Months in People with COPD.

Purpose: Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are recommended for the treatment of exacerbations in people with COPD; however, high cumulative lifetime doses (≥1000mg prednisolone-equivalent) are associated with adverse health effects. This issue is well defined in asthma but is less well understood in COPD. The aim of this study was to examine cumulative OCS dispensed to people with COPD over 12 months.

Population-level administrative data: A resource to advance psychological science.

Population-level administrative data-data on individuals' interactions with administrative systems, such as healthcare, social-welfare, criminal-justice, and education systems-are a fruitful resource for research into behavior, development, and wellbeing. However, administrative data are underutilized in psychological science. Here, we review advantages of population-level administrative data for psychological research, with examples of advances in psychological theory arising from administrative-data studies.

A dataset on environmental DNA, bacterio-, phyto- and zooplankton from an emerging periglacial lagoon in Svalbard, Arctic.

Over the last few decades, climate change in Svalbard (European Arctic) has led to the emergence and growth of periglacial coastal lagoons in the place of retreating glaciers. In these emerging water bodies, new ecosystems are formed, consisting of elements presumably entering the lagoon from the melting glacier, the surrounding tundra water bodies and the coastal ocean. The data presented here were collected from an emerging lagoon in the western region of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, situated between the retreating Eidembreen Glacier and Eidembukta Bay in 2022-2023.

Attaching artificial Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons to bone using suture anchors in a rabbit model: assessment of outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the timing and mode of failure of metallic screw-type suture anchors used to attach artificial tendons to bone in an New Zealand White rabbit model.

Study Design: Metal suture anchors with braided composite sutures of varying sizes (United States Pharmacopeia (USP) size 1, 2, or 5) were used to secure artificial tendons replacing both the Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons in 12 female New Zealand White rabbits. Artificial tendons were implanted either at the time of (immediate replacement,  = 8), or four/five weeks after (delayed replacement,  = 4) resection of the biological tendon.

Redefining superior escape of the humeral head: A radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: The underlying shoulder pathology in radiographic superior escape of the humeral head and association between acromiohumeral interval (AHI) on radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are poorly understood.

Methods: A retrospective review of shoulder radiographs and MRI scans was undertaken. AHI was measured using both modalities.

Impact of frailty and comorbidity on initial response to lung cancer screening invitation and low-dose CT screening uptake: Findings from the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial.

Background: Low-dose computed tomography screening reduces lung cancer-specific mortality in high-risk individuals. Lung cancer risk factors overlap with comorbid diseases, highlighting the significance of frailty and comorbidities for lung cancer screening (LCS). Here, we describe the prevalence of frailty and comorbidity in those invited for LCS and evaluate their associations with response to telephone risk assessment invitation and subsequent uptake of LCS.

Historical Control Data of Spontaneous Lesions of Laboratory New Zealand White and Dutch Belted Rabbits () Used in Toxicity Studies.

A retrospective study was performed to determine the incidences of spontaneous findings in control laboratory New Zealand White (NZW) and Dutch Belted (DB) rabbits. Terminal body and organ weights data were also collected. A total of 2170 NZW (526 males/1644 females), 100 DB rabbits (50 animals per sex), aged 4- to 7-month-old were obtained from 158 non-clinical studies evaluated between 2013 and 2022.

Effect of one-week New Zealand blackcurrant extract on rowing performance and cognitive function in National team male rowers.

This research investigated the impact of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) on 2000-meter rowing ergometer performance and cognitive abilities. Nine trained male rowers from Iran's national team participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, undergoing three sessions with NZBC (600 mg∙day-1), placebo (PL), and control (CL) treatments over seven days, followed by a 14-day washout period. Participants completed a 2000-meter ergometer test provided self-reported ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and completed a cognitive function assessment five minutes following the rowing exercise.

The Perspectives and Experiences of Physiotherapists on Implementing Self-Management Support in Inpatient Hospital Settings.

Background And Purpose: As health systems come under increasing pressure, supporting patients to self-manage their own condition is becoming increasingly important. A shift towards a more holistic, person-centred approach to healthcare in the hospital setting, through enhancing self-management support (SMS), is required to empower patients to increase independence in managing their own conditions. The study aim was to explore how physiotherapists perceive and implement SMS with patients in hospital inpatient settings.

Overcoming Shifting Baselines: Paleo-Behaviour Reveals Industrial Revolution as Tipping Point.

Human activities have significantly altered coastal ecosystems worldwide. The phenomenon of shifting baselines syndrome (SBS) complicates our understanding of these changes, masking the true scale of human impacts. This study investigates the long-term ecological effects of anthropogenic activities on New Zealand's coastal ecosystems over 800 years using fish otolith microchemical profiling and dynamic time warping across an entire stock unit.

Preoperative Cardiac Assessment for Coronary Artery Disease: From Symptoms to Angiography.

Although cardiovascular anesthesiologists play a role in the multidisciplinary heart team, they are generally not involved prior to the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. This work was designed to broadly cover the factors influencing decision-making when proceeding with coronary angiography in a patient with suspected coronary artery disease. The authors cover the principles, rationale, benefits, and downsides of common tests involved.

Narrow Versus Standard Diameter Implants for Supporting Single Crown Restorations in the Posterior Jaw: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess clinical, radiographic and patient reported outcomes of narrow versus standard diameter titanium zirconium (TiZr) implants supporting single crown restorations in posterior sites with limited bone width.

Materials And Methods: Participants requiring replacement of single missing posterior teeth with implant-supported crowns were randomly allocated into 2 treatment groups: narrow (3.3 mm) or standard (4.

Digital Health Innovations to Catalyze the Transition to Value-Based Health Care.

The health care industry is currently going through a transformation due to the integration of technologies and the shift toward value-based health care (VBHC). This article explores how digital health solutions play a role in advancing VBHC, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting these technologies. Digital health, which includes mobile health, wearable devices, telehealth, and personalized medicine, shows promise in improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment options, and overall health outcomes.

Global impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on pneumococcal meningitis in all ages: the PSERENADE project.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) introduced in childhood national immunization programs lowered vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but replacement with non-vaccine-types persisted throughout the PCV10/13 follow-up period. We assessed PCV10/13 impact on pneumococcal meningitis incidence globally.

Methods: The number of cases with serotyped pneumococci detected in cerebrospinal fluid and population denominators were obtained from surveillance sites globally.

Using Laboratory Test Results for Surveillance During a New Outbreak of Acute Hepatitis in 3-Week- to 5-Year-Old Children in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Curaçao: Observational Cohort Study.

Background: In March 2022, a concerning rise in cases of unexplained pediatric hepatitis was reported in multiple countries. Cases were defined as acute hepatitis with serum transaminases >500 U/L (aspartate transaminase [AST] or alanine transaminase [ALT]) in children aged 16 years or younger. We explored a simple federated data analytics method to search for evidence of unreported cases using routinely held data.

The effects of unconditional cash transfers on child abuse and neglect in early childhood: Evidence from New Zealand.

Background: Child abuse and neglect is recorded at higher rates in families with low incomes, and in contexts with lower public spending on families. However, it is not clear whether modest cash transfers could reduce rates.

Objective: To estimate the effects of unconditional cash transfers to mothers with children under 3 years of age on child abuse and neglect.

Acceleration of bone healing by a growth factor-releasing allo-hybrid graft.

Introduction: Human amniotic membrane (hAM) has a highly biocompatible natural scaffold that is abundant in several extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including but not limited to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). In our study, we have focused on a mixture of hAM and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as an allo-hybrid graft to deliver it into the site of bone defect to decrease bone remodeling time.

Methods: Allo-hybrid grafts were prepared by coating the jelly made of decellularized and lyophilized hAM (AMJ) on the surface of DBM and subsequently underwent in vitro studies, such as alkaline phosphatase activity, MTT assay, and SEM analysis.

Cost-effective production of meaty aroma from porcine cells for hybrid cultivated meat.

Cultivated meats are typically hybrids of animal cells and plant proteins, but their high production costs limit their scalability. This study explores a cost-effective alternative by hypothesizing that controlling the Maillard and lipid thermal degradation reactions in pure cells can create a meaty aroma that could be extracted from minimal cell quantities. Using spontaneously immortalized porcine myoblasts and fibroblasts adapted to suspension culture with a 1 % serum concentration, we developed a method to isolate flavor precursors via freeze-thawing.

ESG introduction mechanism of construction firms based on Bayesian network coupled with machine learning: Evidence from Zhengzhou.

Chinese construction enterprises are at a pivotal point in their transition to sustainable development, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) emerging as a key driver. However, limited understanding of ESG mechanisms hampers effective management strategies. To address this challenge, this study constructs an ESG introduction mechanism framework based on Bayesian networks and machine learning algorithms.

The developmental lipidome of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.

Background: Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-a nematode of rodents-is commonly used as a model to study the immunobiology of parasitic nematodes. It is a member of the Strongylida-a large order of socioeconomically important parasitic nematodes of animals. Lipids are known to play essential roles in nematode biology, influencing cellular membranes, energy storage and/or signalling.

Multiple gene-deletion vaccinia virus Tiantan strain against mpox.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an important zoonotic pathogenic virus, which poses serious threats to public health. MPXV infection can be prevented by immunization against the variola virus. Because of the safety risks and side effects of vaccination with live vaccinia virus (VACV) strain Tian Tan (VTT), we constructed two gene-deleted VTT recombinants (TTVAC7 and TTVC5).

Nonlinearity of the post-spinel transition and its expression in slabs and plumes worldwide.

Phase transitions in the mantle control its internal dynamics and structure. The post-spinel transition marks the upper-lower mantle boundary, where ringwoodite dissociates into bridgmanite plus ferropericlase, and its Clapeyron slope regulates mantle flow across it. This interaction has previously been assumed to have no lateral spatial variations, based on the assumption of a linear post-spinel boundary in pressure and temperature.

Coronary CT angiography-guided management of patients with stable chest pain: 10-year outcomes from the SCOT-HEART randomised controlled trial in Scotland.

Background: The Scottish Computed Tomography of the Heart (SCOT-HEART) trial demonstrated that management guided by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) improved the diagnosis, management, and outcome of patients with stable chest pain. We aimed to assess whether CCTA-guided care results in sustained long-term improvements in management and outcomes.

Methods: SCOT-HEART was an open-label, multicentre, parallel group trial for which patients were recruited from 12 outpatient cardiology chest pain clinics across Scotland.