Investigating the complementary value of OCT to MRI in cognitive impairment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with neuro-axonal loss, quantifiable by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Associations between OCT measures and cognition in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) remain incompletely investigated, particularly the added value of OCT when combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We investigated the contributions of OCT and MRI while applying stringent criteria to control for subclinical optic neuropathy.

Testing a proposed mathematical model of weight loss in women enrolled on a commercial weight-loss programme: the LighterLife study.

Weight loss results in obligatory reductions in energy expenditure (EE) due to loss of metabolically active fat-free mass (FFM). This is accompanied by adaptive reductions (i.e.

SARS-CoV-2 introductions to the island of Ireland: a phylogenetic and geospatiotemporal study of infection dynamics.

Background: Ireland's COVID-19 response combined extensive SARS-CoV-2 testing to estimate incidence, with whole genome sequencing (WGS) for genome surveillance. As an island with two political jurisdictions-Northern Ireland (NI) and Republic of Ireland (RoI)-and access to detailed passenger travel data, Ireland provides a unique setting to study virus introductions and evaluate public health measures. Using a substantial Irish genomic dataset alongside global data from GISAID, this study aimed to trace the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the island.

Women's experience of body weight management during and post-pregnancy: a mixed methods approach.

Background: Gaining excessive weight during pregnancy has been linked with adverse effects including increased risk of caesarean delivery and postpartum weight retention. Despite these recognised risks, currently no UK/Ireland gestational weight gain (GWG) guidelines exist, women are not routinely weighed throughout pregnancy and consequently, women's understanding of the importance of weight management during, and post-pregnancy remains poor. The present study explored factors influencing weight change during and post-pregnancy and identified potential opportunities that could help women manage weight during these periods.

Rational approach to fetal heart rate monitoring and management during the second stage of labor.

Second stage of labor is considered to be associated with an increased risk of intrapartum fetal hypoxic injury. This is due to a combination of several risk factors such as -the increased frequency, strength and duration of uterine contractions due to higher number and affinity of myometrial oxytocin receptors; -the Ferguson's reflex which leads to a reflex release of endogenous oxytocin in response of the distension of the cervix by descending fetal head in late stages of labor; maternal expulsive efforts with the Valsalva manoeuvre that may reduce maternal oxygenation, as well as reduce the venous return and maternal cardiac output due to increased intrathoracic pressure, winch may lead to reduced placental oxygenation; - and increased fetal intracranial pressure due to head compression leading to a potential decrease in fetal cerebral oxygenation. In addition, the umbilical cord often forms one or more loops around the fetal neck, which may get tightened as the head descends leading to an acute and intermittent cessation of fetal oxygenation.

Complex PTSD and identification with the aggressor among survivors of childhood abuse.

Background: Childhood abuse (CA) is a risk factor for trauma-related disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). This severe form of interpersonal trauma may result in "identification with the aggressor" (IWA), in which the individual may take on the beliefs, perspectives, and behaviors of the perpetrator. Although previous evidence suggests that IWA may be particularly related to CPTSD as compared to PTSD, there has been no study that investigated this hypothesis.

Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Fluoride Ion Batteries.

The fluoride-ion battery (FIB) is a post-lithium anionic battery that utilizes the fluoride-ion shuttle, achieving high theoretical energy densities of up to 1393 Wh L without relying on critical minerals. However, developing liquid electrolytes for FIBs has proven arduous due to the low solubility of fluoride salts and the chemical reactivity of the fluoride ion. By introducing a chemically stable electrolyte based on 1,3-dimethylimidazolium [MMIm] bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [TFSI] and tetramethylammonium fluoride (TMAF), we achieve an electrochemical stability window (ESW) of 4.

Can the Bladder Itself "Measure" Volume, and Thereby Help to Determine When Initiation of Voiding Should Occur? ICI-RS 2024.

Aims: To answer the question of whether the bladder itself can to any extent control or modulate the initiation of voiding.

Methods: This subject was discussed at the International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) 2024 conference in Bristol, UK in a proposal session.

Results: Cells in the bladder wall sense the local environment via a diverse array of ion channels and receptors which together provide input to motor-sensory and signal transduction mechanisms.

Exploring the supportive care needs of families affected by pancreatic cancer: a mixed-methods study protocol.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with most cases diagnosed at an advanced stage resulting in low survival rates. Family members often take on a role of supporting patients' needs. Families tend to be unprepared for this and experience high levels of unmet needs and substantial impacts to their own wellbeing, heightened by the rapid deterioration and short life expectancy associated with pancreatic cancer.

STABLE trial of spectacle provision and driving safety among myopic motorcycle users in Vietnam: study protocol for a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised trial.

Background: Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death globally for people aged 5-29 years, with 90% of mortality occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The STABLE (Slashing Two-wheeled Accidents by Leveraging Eyecare) trial was designed to determine whether providing spectacles could reduce risk among young myopic motorcycle users in Vietnam.

Methods: This investigator-masked, stepped-wedge, cluster randomised naturalistic driving trial will recruit 625 students aged 18-23 years, driving ≥ 50 km/week, with ≥ 1-year driving experience and using motorcycles as their primary means of transport, in 25 clusters of 25 students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Optical coherence tomography in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: cross-sectional and longitudinal exploratory analysis from the MS-SMART randomised controlled trial.

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) inner retinal metrics reflect neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). We explored OCT measures as biomarkers of disease severity in secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

Methods: We investigated people with SPMS from the Multiple Sclerosis-Secondary Progressive Multi-Arm Randomisation Trial OCT substudy, analysing brain MRIs, clinical assessments and OCT at baseline and 96 weeks.

Reducing dietary crude protein levels while meeting metabolizable protein requirements: Performance of dairy cows over a full lactation period.

A total of 90 Holstein dairy cows (24 primiparous, 66 multiparous, mean parity = 3.0) were fed diets containing either 150, 160, or 170 g CP/kg DM from 8 to 180 DIM, with all diets designed to supply at least 100% MP requirements. On d 181, half of the cows in each treatment changed to a diet containing 140 g CP/kg DM (supplying 100% MP requirements), with the remaining cows continuing to be offered their original treatment diets.

Consensus Recommendations for Studies of Outflow Facility and Intraocular Pressure Regulation Using Ex Vivo Perfusion Approaches.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation is the primary risk factor and currently the main treatable factor for progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. In addition to direct clinical and living animal in vivo studies, ex vivo perfusion of anterior segments and whole eyes is a key technique for studying conventional outflow function as it is responsible for IOP regulation. We present well-tested experimental details, protocols, considerations, advantages, and limitations of several ex vivo model systems for studying IOP regulation.

Improving meaningful activity and meaningful engagement for residents in long-term care settings.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, restrictions were placed on social contacts and group activities in long-term care settings. Evidence has suggested that social isolation can lead to the onset of health issues including depression and cognitive decline in older people. This article details a quality improvement project undertaken by the managers of nine long-term care settings in Northern Ireland that aimed to enhance meaningful activity and meaningful engagement for residents following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Diagnostic work-up of bile duct strictures: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline.

1: ESGE recommends the combination of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based tissue acquisition as the preferred diagnostic approach for tissue acquisition in patients with jaundice and distal extrahepatic biliary stricture in the absence of a pancreatic mass. 2: ESGE suggests that brushing cytology should be completed along with fluoroscopy-guided biopsies, wherever technically feasible, in patients with perihilar biliary strictures. 3: ESGE suggests EUS-TA for perihilar strictures when ERCP-based modalities yield insufficient results, provided that curative resection is not feasible and/or when cross-sectional imaging has shown accessible extraluminal disease.

High drug-loaded amorphous solid dispersions of a poor glass forming drug: The impact of polymer type and cooling rate on amorphous drug behaviour.

Enhancing the aqueous solubility via amorphization of crystalline poor glass-forming drugs represents a challenge, particularly when drug dosing is high. In such scenarios, there is often a need for high polymer loadings, leading to an increase in the dosage form mass and less patient acceptability. This work investigated the role that polymer type and after-melt cooling rate had upon the amorphicity of solid dispersions (SDs) containing high levels of naproxen and three commonly used polymeric excipients: Eudragit® EPO, Kollidon® VA64, and Soluplus®.

The effect of triple CFTR modulator therapy and azithromycin on ion channels and inflammation in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways is difficult to treat with well-established regimens often including azithromycin (AZ) as an immunomodulatory drug. As AZ has been reported to require CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to be able to reduce interleukin (IL)-8 and given the emergence of highly effective CFTR "triple" modulator therapy (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor; ETI), the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of AZ and ETI, singly and in combination, on ion channel activity and to assess the potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Methods: Electrophysiological assessment of ETI and AZ was performed on three-dimensional cultures of primary CF human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells using a Multi Trans-Epithelial Current Clamp.

Risk factors for housing insecurity following bereavement: a cross-sectional analysis of UK survey respondents.

Background: Housing insecurity can be linked to bereavement and is often caused or exacerbated by loss of household income and restrictions to some tenancy agreements. Housing insecurity can result in significant practical disruption, increase risk of adverse health outcomes and decrease quality of life. However, despite the impact of housing insecurity on experiences following bereavement, little is known about its underlying risk factors.

A Parallel Process of Staff-Family Distress in Long-Term Care: A Challenge to Collaboration.

Introduction: Supporting persons living with advanced dementia in long-term care (LTC) homes requires strong collaborative partnerships between staff, family members, and residents. Yet, relational tensions-such as differing expectations around care decisions-can inhibit the implementation of collaborative partnerships at this critical point in the trajectory of care.

Objective: This study aims to explore the emotional experiences of families and staff during shared decision-making processes for individuals with advanced dementia in LTC.

Effect of Longer Pre-Starter Diet Allowance on Post-Weaning Performance of Lightweight Piglets.

First-phase diets are formulated to help pigs reach a target body weight before switching to a more affordable diet. However, these transitions typically take place on a fixed schedule, which may disadvantage low-body-weight piglets due to their underdeveloped digestive systems and limited feed intake capacity. This study examined the effects of offering low-body-weight (BW) pigs a pre-starter diet until they reached a target BW on growth performance and BW variability.

Cognitive benefits of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy track with epigenetic changes at an imprint regulator.

Background: The human ZFP57 gene is a major regulator of imprinted genes, maintaining DNA methylation marks that distinguish parent-of-origin-specific alleles. DNA methylation of the gene itself has shown sensitivity to environmental stimuli, particularly folate status. However, the role of DNA methylation in ZFP57's own regulation has not been fully investigated.

Is Disease Stability an Attainable COPD Treatment Goal?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogenous lung condition characterized by progressive airflow obstruction. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the disease burden remains high; although clinical trials have shown improvements in outcomes such as exacerbations, quality of life, and lung function, improvement may not be attainable for many patients. For patients who do experience improvement, it is challenging to set management goals given the progressive nature of COPD.