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.

Predictors of poor treatment outcomes among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Hunan province, China.

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a significant public health concern, often resulting in poor treatment outcomes. This study aims to identify predictors of poor treatment outcomes among patients with DR-TB in Hunan Province, China.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Hunan Province using data collected between 2013 and 2018 among patients with DR-TB treatment.

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.

Developing a New Expected Goals Metric to Quantify Performance in a Virtual Reality Soccer Goalkeeping App Called CleanSheet.

As virtual reality (VR) sports training apps start to become more mainstream, it is important that human performance is measured from VR gameplay interaction data in a more meaningful way. is a VR training app that is played by over 100,000 users around the world. Many of those players are aspiring goalkeepers who want to use the app as a new way to train and improve their general goalkeeping performance.

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.

'Eating with Others': planning, developing and optimising a self-management intervention to promote social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer.

Introduction: After treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), up to 90% of patients have difficulties eating and drinking. Despite the enormity of challenges explicitly relating to the social dimension of eating, there are limited extant interventions to specifically support social eating, nor any replicable for use in contemporary clinical practice. This study aims to plan, develop and optimise a self-management intervention to promote social eating for patients living with and beyond HNC.

Recent Developments in Drug Design of Oral Synthetic Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 Agonists.

Over the past two decades, synthetic FFAR1 agonists such as TAK-875 and TSL1806 have undergone meticulous design and extensive clinical trials. However, due to issues primarily related to hepatotoxicity, no FFAR1 agonist has yet received regulatory approval. Research into the sources of hepatotoxicity suggests that one potential cause lies in the molecular structure itself.

Effect of Chemotherapy on Abundance in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Study on Relapsing Patients.

Unlabelled: An intricate relationship exists, and interactions occur between the gut microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent studies have indicated that inflammatory reactions stimulated by () lead to the development of CRC. Radical surgery combined with adjuvant chemotherapy is the primary treatment approach for most CRC patients.

The relationship between anticholinergic burden and frailty in the year preceding a diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies.

Introduction: Little is known regarding the relationship between anticholinergic medications and frailty in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Methods: Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB) and Claims-based Frailty Index scores were calculated for 12 months prior to the dementia diagnosis using electronic medical record and claims data. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between ACB and odds of frailty.

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.

Systematic Evaluation of Lower Urinary Tract Sensations to Improve Management of LUTS: ICI-RS 2024.

Aims: Lower urinary tract (LUT) sensations form an essential part of diagnostic criteria for many LUT symptoms, additionally LUT sensations are used to evaluate the effectivity of therapeutic interventions. The accurate measurement of LUT sensations, however, is severely hampered by the subjective nature of these sensations.

Methods: This paper summarizes the discussions from the 2024 meeting of the International Consultation for Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS 2024) regarding systematic evaluations of LUT sensations and the design of more objective tools to measure these.

Case management for acquired brain injury: a systematic review of the evidence base.

Background: Brain Injury Case management involves coordinating and organizing services and systems around people with acquired brain injuries' and their families. This review aimed to answer the question: What is the current available evidence for the use of case management in supporting survivors of ABI?

Methods: Searches were conducted in seven databases (Medline (all), CINAHL, Embase, PsychInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed), using a search strategy based on key terms: 'case management' and 'brain injury.' Quality of studies was assessed by the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT), and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists.

Anti-VEGF drugs compared with laser photocoagulation for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of sight loss in people with diabetes. The most severe form, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, carries a high risk of vision loss, vitreous haemorrhage, macular oedema and other harms. Panretinal photocoagulation is the primary treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Global Insights from Patients, Providers, and Staff on Challenges and Solutions in Managing Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Introduction: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is a global public-health concern, associated with a considerable burden to individuals, healthcare systems, and society. The objective of this study was to understand different perspectives on the challenges associated with the clinical management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, which could elucidate measures to comprehensively improve clinical care and outcomes.

Methods: A survey was carried out of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, their providers, and clinic staff in 77 clinics across 24 countries on six continents, from a diverse range of healthcare systems, settings, and reimbursement models.

Improving Clinical Management of Diabetic Macular Edema: Insights from a Global Survey of Patients, Healthcare Providers, and Clinic Staff.

Introduction: In contrast with patients receiving therapy for retinal disease during clinical trials, those treated in routine clinical practice experience various challenges (including administrative, clinic, social, and patient-related factors) that can often result in high patient and clinic burden, and contribute to suboptimal visual outcomes. The objective of this study was to understand the challenges associated with clinical management of diabetic macular edema from the perspectives of patients, healthcare providers, and clinic staff, and identify opportunities to improve eye care for people with diabetes.

Methods: We conducted a survey of patients with diabetic macular edema, providers, and clinic staff in 78 clinics across 24 countries on six continents, representing a diverse range of individuals, healthcare systems, settings, and reimbursement models.

Safety of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia: A systematic review.

Purpose: Establishing the safety profile of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy is necessary prior to its widespread clinical implementation.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, CRD42024516676) of articles across seven databases from inception through February 10, 2024, with keywords related to myopia and RLRL therapy. Pooled safety outcomes and risk-to-benefit ratios were reported, and incidence of side effects was compared with other antimyopia interventions.

Promoting Prevention and Targeting Remission of Asthma A EUFOREA Consensus Statement on Raising the Bar in Asthma Care.

Topic Importance: Asthma is a common multifaceted respiratory disease with a major impact on quality of life. Despite increased insights into mechanisms underlying various asthma phenotypes/endotypes and the availability of targeted biologic treatment options, a substantial proportion of patients remains uncontrolled with risk of exacerbations, requiring systemic corticosteroids, and progressive disease. Current international guidelines advocate a personalized management approach to patients with uncontrolled severe asthma.

Sulfur-functionalized sawdust biochar for enhanced cadmium adsorption and environmental remediation: A multidisciplinary approach and density functional theory insights.

Pristine biochar typically exhibits limited capacity for heavy metal adsorption due to its inadequate pore development and insufficient surface functionality. This study introduces an innovative chemical strategy to enhance the surface of sawdust biochar with sulfur-based functional groups (C=S, C-S, S-S, S, S-H, -SO, -SO) to significantly improve cadmium (Cd) adsorption. Sulfur-doping using HSO, NaS, and NaSO markedly increased the sulfur content from 0.

Efficacy of fenbendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected goats in Maputo Province, Mozambique using in vivo, in vitro and molecular assessment.

Anthelmintic resistance occurs worldwide in strongyles of ruminants but data from low-income countries are sparse and rarely apply most up to date methods, while effects of management practices in these countries are poorly documented. In Mozambique, benzimidazole resistance has been previously reported; the present study followed this up in detail, applying in vivo faecal egg count (FEC) reduction test (FECRT), in vitro egg hatch test (EHT) and molecular deep amplicon sequencing approaches targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2, nemabiome) and the isotype 1 β-tubulin gene to determine the resistance status on farms and the strongyle species involved. Adult Landim goats (433) from six semi-intensive and ten extensive farms (22-30 animals/farm) from Maputo Province were visited April 2021 to February 2022.

Protocol for single-molecule FISH in the developing mouse retinal vasculature.

The developing vasculature of the post-natal mouse retina is a powerful model to discover mechanisms of vessel formation and to test modulators of neovascularization. We present a protocol for single-molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) in whole-mount mouse retinas enabling the detection of individual mRNAs in vascular endothelial cells. We describe procedures from initial retina preparation to smFISH and detection.