Relational anonymity in reducing the harms of illicit drug use: accounts of users of dark web- and street-based services in Finland.

Background: Protecting individual anonymity is a common practice in harm reduction (HR), as it can mitigate the fears that may prevent people from accessing services. Protecting anonymity usually means applying for services with a pseudonym. However, anonymity protection practices have diversified in current HR environments, for example, on the streets or in the Tor network, which relies on technology to guarantee exceptionally strong anonymity.

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of first contact physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders in primary care: the FRONTIER, mixed method realist evaluation.

Background: First-contact physiotherapists assess and diagnose patients with musculoskeletal disorders, determining the best course of management without prior general practitioner consultation.

Objectives: The primary aim was to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of first-contact physiotherapists compared with general practitioner-led models of care.

Design: Mixed-method realist evaluation of effectiveness and costs, comprising three main phases: A United Kingdom-wide survey of first contact physiotherapists.

A scoping review of activities intended to reduce publication bias in randomised trials.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that a randomised controlled trial (RCT) publishes its results in a peer-reviewed journal within 24 months of study completion. When RCTs are not published or publication is delayed, this can contribute to publication bias, which is the tendency for studies with positive or significant results to be published more frequently than studies with nonsignificant or negative results. This bias skews the available evidence, creating a distorted view of the research landscape.

Development of axitinib-loaded polymeric ocular implants for the treatment of posterior ocular diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the primary causes of vision impairment and blindness worldwide. The current treatment for these diseases is an intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents, which are costly and require frequent injections. Implants can be used to sustain the release of drugs and minimize side effects.

Strategies for the design of biomimetic cell-penetrating peptides using AI-driven in silico tools for drug delivery.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have gained rapid attention over the last 25 years; this is attributed to their versatility, customisation, and 'Trojan horse' delivery that evades the immune system. However, the current CPP rational design process is limited, as it requires several rounds of peptide synthesis, prediction and wet-lab validation, which is expensive, time-consuming and requires extensive knowledge in peptide chemistry. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising alternative which can augment the design process, for example by determining physiochemical characteristics, secondary structure, solvent accessibility, disorder and flexibility, as well as predicting in vivo behaviour such as toxicity and peptidase degradation.

Food-based indices for the assessment of nutritive value and environmental impact of meals and diets: A systematic review protocol.

Current food production and consumption practices are impacting both human and planetary health. Though these challenges are multifaceted, shifting to healthy dietary choices from sustainable food systems is one solution. Food-based labelling is a common public-health strategy aimed at influencing consumption practices, primarily displaying front-of-pack nutrition labelling to encourage healthier choices.

An International Study of Variation in Attitudes to Kidney Biopsy Practice.

Background: A kidney biopsy is an essential investigation for diagnosis but is invasive and associated with complications. Delaying or missing the opportunity to diagnose kidney disease could result in adverse patient outcomes. This study aimed to examine attitudes to kidney biopsy across the world.

BioStructNet: Structure-Based Network with Transfer Learning for Predicting Biocatalyst Functions.

Enzyme-substrate interactions are essential to both biological processes and industrial applications. Advanced machine learning techniques have significantly accelerated biocatalysis research, revolutionizing the prediction of biocatalytic activities and facilitating the discovery of novel biocatalysts. However, the limited availability of data for specific enzyme functions, such as conversion efficiency and stereoselectivity, presents challenges for prediction accuracy.

The limbic and extra-limbic encephalitis associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-65 antibodies: an observational study.

We aimed to define the clinical features and outcomes of encephalitis associated with anti-GAD65 Abs. In addition, we reviewed cases published in the literature with GAD65 encephalitis. We retrospectively studied 482 consecutive patients attending a tertiary care center for evaluation of an autoimmune neurological disorder.

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.

Exploitation of phylum-spanning omics resources reveals complexity in the nematode FLP signalling system and provides insights into flp-gene evolution.

Background: Parasitic nematodes significantly undermine global human and animal health and productivity. Parasite control is reliant on anthelmintic administration however over-use of a limited number of drugs has resulted in escalating parasitic nematode resistance, threatening the sustainability of parasite control and underscoring an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutics. FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs), the largest family of nematode neuropeptides, modulate nematode behaviours including those important for parasite survival, highlighting FLP receptors (FLP-GPCRs) as appealing putative novel anthelmintic targets.

In vivo pharmacokinetic study and PBPK modeling: Comparison between 3D-printed nanocrystals and solid dispersions.

The solubility of drugs remains one of the most challenging aspects of formulation development. Several technologies exist to enhance the properties of poorly soluble drugs, with nanocrystal (NC) and solid dispersion (SD) technologies being among the most important. This work compared NCs and SDs under identical conditions using albendazole as a model drug and 3D printing technology as the delivery method.

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.

'The upside-down' healthcare professional students' experiences of delirium: an all-Ireland focus group study.

Background: Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by an acute state of confusion, with a substantial impact on medical inpatients. Despite its growing recognition as a global healthcare concern, delirium remains underdiagnosed, partly due to a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore how healthcare professional students experience caring for individuals experiencing delirium, the influence of their current pre-registration healthcare education, and importance of interprofessional teamwork in their role.

Stroke survivor and caregiver experiences of virtual reality gaming to promote social participation: A qualitative study.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) gaming is a promising technology that can be applied in stroke rehabilitation to increase survivors' social engagement, though its optimal usage and effects on stroke recovery are not fully understood. This qualitative study aimed to investigate stroke survivors' and caregivers' perspectives of VR-based gaming rehabilitation modules for supporting post-stroke recovery and social participation.

Methods: Twenty-eight participants (18 stroke survivors and 10 caregivers) were recruited through purposive sampling from acute hospitals in Hong Kong.

Identification and quantitation of multiplex camellia oil adulteration based on 11 characteristic lipids using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS.

Currently, the identification and quantification of complex adulteration of high-value vegetable oils are still challenging. In this study, the extreme vertex design method was adopted to design representative multivariate adulterated camellia oil samples. Thereafter, 11 characteristic lipid species were identified by considering the statistically significant difference and categorical contribution.

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.

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.

What Helps or Hinders End-of-Life Care in Adult Intensive Care Units in Saudi Arabia? A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol.

: In the intensive care unit, many patients are dying despite advanced therapeutic technology and optimized treatment. The critical care team is expected to deliver end-of-life care for the dying patient and their family. However, it is challenging to provide adequate support to families due to the ideas and emotions associated with the end of life.

Performance of clinical decision aids (CDA) for the care of young febrile infants: a multicentre prospective cohort study conducted in the UK and Ireland.

Background: Between 1% and 4% of febrile infants, aged from birth to 90 days of age, presenting to hospital will be diagnosed with an invasive bacterial infection (IBI). Traditional teaching has advocated a treat all approach but more recently a number of clinical decision aids (CDA) have been developed to classify febrile infants into lower and higher risk cohorts, with lower risk infants suitable for management without immediate parenteral antibiotics and lumbar puncture. The aim of this study was to apply these CDA to a UK and Irish cohort.

Higher Intraocular Levels of Inflammatory Factors are Related to Retinal Vascular and Neurodegeneration in Myopic Retinopathy.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the intraocular levels of inflammatory factors and myopia-related retinal vascular and neuronal degeneration.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and forty-seven patients with Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation were enrolled and all participants received comprehensive ophthalmic examination. About 100~150 ul of aqueous humor was collected immediately before ICL surgery.