A genome-wide association study identifies genetic variants associated with hip pain in the UK Biobank cohort (N = 221,127).

Hip pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint that leads many people to seek medical attention. We conducted a primary genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the hip pain phenotype within the UK Biobank cohort. Sex-stratified GWAS analysis approach was also performed to explore sex specific variants associated with hip pain.

Long term health outcomes in people with diabetes 12 months after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK: a prospective cohort study.

Background: People with diabetes are at increased risk of hospitalisation, morbidity, and mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Long-term outcomes for people with diabetes previously hospitalised with COVID-19 are, however, unknown. This study aimed to determine the longer-term physical and mental health effects of COVID-19 in people with and without diabetes.

Sex and Cardiac Operations: Are We Being Fair to Our Female Patients?

Background: Research suggests that although men have a higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) rate, women with CVD are more likely to experience a poorer prognosis, possibly owing to incorrect diagnosis and poorer treatment. A question not yet addressed is whether some of this inequality could be due to sex bias when selecting patients for operation.

Method: The participants were from the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort who had been admitted to hospital with a cardiovascular diagnosis over the study period.

Large-scale evaluation of outcomes after a genetic diagnosis in children with severe developmental disorders.

Purpose: We sought to evaluate outcomes for clinical management after a genetic diagnosis from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study.

Methods: Individuals in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study who had a pathogenic/likely pathogenic genotype in the DECIPHER database were selected for inclusion ( = 5010). Clinical notes from regional clinical genetics services notes were reviewed to assess predefined clinical outcomes relating to interventions, prenatal choices, and information provision.

Increased neutrophil elastase in affected lobes of bronchiectasis and correlation of its levels between sputum and bronchial lavage fluid.

Background: Neutrophil elastase (NE) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for evaluating the severity and prognosis of bronchiectasis. This study aimed to compare bronchial lavage quantification of NE levels and activities with those of sputum.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 24 Vietnamese adults with bronchiectasis were enrolled from June 2023 to August 2023.

Baseline characteristics of patients in the Chinese Bronchiectasis Registry (BE-China): a multicentre prospective cohort study.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a disease with a global impact, but most published data come from high-income countries. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis in China.

Methods: The Chinese Bronchiectasis Registry (BE-China) is a prospective, observational cohort enrolling patients from 111 hospitals in China.

Rejuvenating the immune system.

Rejuvenation of elementary immune system components has emerged as a promising strategy to deal with increased susceptibility to infections, cancers, autoimmune disorders, and low efficacy to vaccines, frequently accompanying aging. In this context, the thymus has gained significant attention. A recent study by Santamaria et al.

Exploring the potential role of C-peptide in type 2 diabetes management.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex condition characterised by the interaction between insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. C-peptide, a key biomarker of endogenous insulin secretion, has a role in diagnosing type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, its utility in T2D has not been extensively studied.

Genome-wide association study of varenicline-aided smoking cessation.

Introduction: Varenicline is an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist with the highest therapeutic efficacy of any pharmacological smoking cessation aid and a 12-month cessation rate of 26%. Genetic variation may be associated with varenicline response, but to date no genome-wide association studies of varenicline response have been published.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the genetic contribution to varenicline effectiveness using two electronic health record-derived phenotypes.

Tranexamic Acid in Pregnant Women With Placenta Previa: A Double-Blind, Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aims: To determine the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing vaginal bleeding, extending pregnancy duration, and enhancing perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with placenta previa.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted at three maternity teaching hospitals in Iraq's Kurdistan region, Azadi Hospital in the north of Iraq, and Al-Azhar University Hospital in Egypt on 146 women with placenta previa. Participants were randomly assigned to two interventional groups in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TXA or Dextrose 5% water (D5W).

Genomic determinants of biological age estimated by deep learning applied to retinal images.

With the development of deep learning (DL) techniques, there has been a successful application of this approach to determine biological age from latent information contained in retinal images. Retinal age gap (RAG) defined as the difference between chronological age and predicted retinal age has been established previously to predict the age-related disease. In this study, we performed discovery genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) on the RAG using the 31,271 UK Biobank participants and replicated our findings in 8034 GoDARTS participants.

Daylight Photodynamic Therapy: At-Home Delivery.

This pilot study evaluated the design, usability, and practicality of the dPDT@home kit for treating actinic keratoses (AKs) on the face and scalp. The kit allowed patients to manage their treatment at home, reducing hospital visits and utilizing natural sunlight. While patients were very willing to use the kit again, further studies are required to evaluate outcomes and ascertain the need for additional improvements and support.

Investigating the time to blood culture positivity: why does it take so long?

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are one of the most serious infections investigated by microbiologists. However, the time to detect a BSI fails to meet the rapidity required to inform clinical decisions in real time. Blood culture (BC) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing bloodstream infections.

IPEM topical report: guidance on 3D printing in radiotherapy.

There has been an increase in the availability and utilization of commercially available 3D printers in radiotherapy, with applications in phantoms, brachytherapy applicators, bolus, compensators, and immobilization devices. Additive manufacturing in the form of 3D printing has the advantage of rapid production of personalized patient specific prints or customized phantoms within a short timeframe. One of the barriers to uptake has been the lack of guidance.

Prediction of cerebral palsy and cognitive delay among high-risk children in a developing nation: A successful early detection programme.

Aim: To determine the feasibility of combining the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and General Movements Assessment (GMA) within a standard follow-up schedule to predict developmental outcomes in infants at risk in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Method: A total of 201 Sri Lankan infants (128 male, 73 female) were prospectively assessed with the GMA before 44 weeks (writhing movements) and at 3 to 4 months (fidgeting movements), followed by the HINE at 5 to 6 months. Developmental outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition and clinical assessment after 24 months.

Generation of a selective senolytic platform using a micelle-encapsulated Sudan Black B conjugated analog.

The emerging field of senolytics is centered on eliminating senescent cells to block their contribution to the progression of age-related diseases, including cancer, and to facilitate healthy aging. Enhancing the selectivity of senolytic treatments toward senescent cells stands to reduce the adverse effects associated with existing senolytic interventions. Taking advantage of lipofuscin accumulation in senescent cells, we describe here the development of a highly efficient senolytic platform consisting of a lipofuscin-binding domain scaffold, which can be conjugated with a senolytic drug via an ester bond.

Post-operative glioblastoma cancer cell distribution in the peritumoural oedema.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive primary brain tumour, exhibits low survival rates due to its rapid growth, infiltrates surrounding brain tissue, and is highly resistant to treatment. One major challenge is oedema infiltration, a fluid build-up that provides a path for cancer cells to invade other areas. MRI resolution is insufficient to detect these infiltrating cells, leading to relapses despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The transcriptional profile of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure: Heme-sparing and reduced immune processes.

Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and associated with morbidity and poor prognosis, but pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. We aimed to identify novel biological pathways affected by ID.

Methods And Results: We studied 881 patients with HF from the BIOSTAT-CHF cohort.

TOURISM study (Treatment Outcomes in UteRIne SarcoMa): a 10-year retrospective evaluation of practice in the UK.

Background: Although rare, uterine sarcomas account for a high proportion of uterine cancer mortality. Treatment options and robust trial data are limited.

Objectives: The TOURISM study (Treatment Outcomes in UteRIne SarcoMa) is a UK-wide study by the National Oncology Trainees Collaborative for Healthcare Research which aimed to characterise this patient cohort.