Evaluation of Patients' Satisfaction with Healthcare Services Provided at the National Health Insurance Authority Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in South-West, Nigeria.

Background: Patient satisfaction is an essential indicator used for measuring the quality of health care delivered to a patient and contributes to strategies for the improvement of healthcare delivery. This study assessed patients' satisfaction with the quality of care at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) clinic in a tertiary health facility.

Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional design with 320 respondents who completed a semi-structured questionnaire.

Pro-cumulin addition in a biphasic in vitro oocyte maturation system modulates human oocyte and cumulus cell transcriptomes.

Biphasic in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) can be offered as a patient-friendly alternative to conventional ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients predicted to be hyper-responsive to ovarian stimulation. However, cumulative live birth rates after IVM per cycle are lower than after conventional ovarian stimulation for IVF. In different animal species, supplementation of IVM media with oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) improves oocyte developmental competence through the expression of pro-ovulatory genes in cumulus cells.

Imaging tests as predictors of progression to rheumatoid arthritis in clinically suspect arthralgia: A systematic review & meta-analysis.

Objectives: To determine and compare the diagnostic accuracy of imaging tests for the prediction of RA progression in people with inflammatory joint pain or CSA.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science from 1987 to March 2024. Studies evaluating any imaging tests in participants with inflammatory joint pain or CSA, without clinical synovitis were eligible.

Validation of the FROM-16 in family members of patients receiving advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP).

Purpose: Outcome-based pricing models which consider domains of value not previously considered in healthcare, such as societal outcomes, are of increasing interest for healthcare systems. Societal outcomes can include family-reported outcome measures (FROMs), which measure the impact of disease upon the patient's family members. The FROM-16 is a generic and easy-to-use family quality of life tool, but it has never been used in the context of patients undergoing advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) treatment.

From Vision to Reality: The EU's Pharmaceutical Reforms and the Path to Improved Access.

Disparities in access to oncology medicines in European Union (EU) member states can impact patient outcomes profoundly, with availability and timely access varying significantly across and within member states. This paper discusses the intersection of the new European Health Technology Assessment Regulation (HTAR), the provisions of the proposed pharmaceutical legislation and their potential impacts on access to oncology medicines across EU member states. The HTAR, seeking to standardise the clinical evaluation of new medicines, has the potential to streamline the evaluation process but also risks oversimplifying diverse national healthcare needs.

Quantifying natural amyloid plaque accumulation in the continuum of Alzheimer's disease using ADNI.

Brain amyloid beta neuritic plaque accumulation is associated with an increased risk of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) [Pfeil, J., et al. in Neurobiol Aging 106: 119-129, 2021].

Optimal Bilio-Pancreatic Limb (BPL) Length in One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) Surgery.

Background: One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) is a modification of Mason's loop bypass procedure, which has become a well-established procedure in the field of Bariatric and Metabolic surgery (BMS). However, the optimal length of Biliopancreatic Limb (BPL) in OAGB remains an ongoing debate.

Objective: This review aims to analyse the current trends and evidence regarding different BPL lengths in OAGB and their impact on outcomes.

Development of Attention-based Prediction Models for All-cause Mortality, Home Care Need, and Nursing Home Admission in Ageing Adults in Spain Using Longitudinal Electronic Health Record Data.

Predicting health-related outcomes can help with proactive healthcare planning and resource management. This is especially important on the older population, an age group growing in the coming decades. Considering longitudinal rather than cross-sectional information from primary care electronic health records (EHRs) can contribute to more informed predictions.

Extreme heat risk and the potential implications for the scheduling of football matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent and intense. This negatively impacts many aspects of society, including organised sport. As the world's most watched sporting event, the FIFA World Cup commands particular attention around the threat of extreme heat.

Abdominopelvic imaging in the follow-up of testicular germ-cell tumors in adults: recommendations of the Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology.

Objectives: The Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group (SPIWG) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) aimed to formulate recommendations on the imaging modalities and minimal technical requirements for abdominopelvic imaging in the follow-up of adult patients treated for testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCT).

Methods: The SPIWG members performed an extensive literature search, reviewed the current clinical practice, and reached a consensus based on the opinions of experts in the field.

Results: Recurrence in patients treated for TGCT mainly occurs in retroperitoneal lymph nodes (LNs).

One-minute sit-to-stand test cut-offs for risk stratification based on six-minute walk test thresholds in pulmonary hypertension.

Aims: We aimed to establish one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST) cut-off values that align with the guideline-recommended six-minute walk test (6MWT) thresholds (165m and 440m) for one-year mortality risk stratification in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. Furthermore, we aimed to compare clinical characteristics and long-term mortality among patients stratified by these proposed 1-min STST cut-offs.

Methods: All patients performed the 1-min STST and 6MWT.

Bimekizumab efficacy and safety through 3 years in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Long-term results from the BE RADIANT phase 3b trial open-label extension period.

Background: Overexpression of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F significantly influences psoriasis pathology. Until recently, biologics targeting IL-17A alone, like secukinumab, were used to treat psoriasis. Bimekizumab is a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that targets both IL-17A and IL-17F.

Human Metapneumovirus: an emerging respiratory pathogen and the urgent need for improved Diagnostics, surveillance, and vaccine development.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a re-emerging respiratory pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. First identified in 2001, HMPV has since been recognised as a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) worldwide. Its transmission occurs through droplets, direct contact, and surface contamination, with crowded spaces and healthcare facilities serving as key environmental amplifiers.

Elevated serum vitamin B12 concentrations in a patient with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

This case describes a patient with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and persistently elevated serum vitamin B12 concentrations that were not due to supplementation or associated with hepatic or hematological pathology. Laboratory investigations suggested the presence of macro-B12 as the cause of this patient's raised serum vitamin B12. Macro-B12 is often formed when vitamin B12-vitamin binding proteins (transcobalamin and haptocorrin) complex with immunoglobulins.

2024 White Paper on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis: Evolution of Immunogenicity Assessment beyond ADA/NAb; Regulated Genomic/NGS Assays; Hypersensitivity Reactions; Minimum Noise Reduction; False Positive Range; Modernized Vaccine Approaches; NAb/TAb Correlation - Recommendations on Advanced Strategies for Molecular Assays and Immunogenicity of Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy, Vaccine; Biotherapeutics Immunogenicity Assessment & Clinical Relevance - Regulatory Agencies' Input on Immunogenicity/Technologies of Biotherapeutics, Gene, Cell & Vaccine Therapies).

The 18 Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis (18 WRIB) took place in San Antonio, TX, USA on May 6-10, 2024. Over 1100 professionals representing pharma/biotech companies, CROs, and multiple regulatory agencies convened to actively discuss the most current topics of interest in bioanalysis. The 18 WRIB included 3 Main Workshops and 7 Specialized Workshops that together spanned 1 week to allow an exhaustive and thorough coverage of all major issues in bioanalysis of biomarkers, immunogenicity, gene therapy, cell therapy and vaccines.

NHS-Galleri trial: Enriched enrolment approaches and sociodemographic characteristics of enrolled participants.

Background/aims: Certain sociodemographic groups are routinely underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting generalisability. Here, we describe the extent to which enriched enrolment approaches yielded a diverse trial population enriched for older age in a randomised controlled trial of a blood-based multi-cancer early detection test (NCT05611632).

Methods: Participants aged 50-77 years were recruited from eight Cancer Alliance regions in England.

2024 White paper on recent issues in bioanalysis: Impact of LDT in US and IVDR in EU; AI/ML for High Parameter Flow Cytometry; The rise of Olink Technology; CDx for AAV Gene Therapies; Integrative Bioanalysis by Multiple Platforms; Super Sensitive ADA/NAb LBA ( - Recommendations on Advanced Strategies for Biomarkers, IVD/CDx Assays (BAV), Cell Based Assays (CBA), and Ligand-Binding Assays (LBA) - Regulatory Agencies' Input on Biomarkers, IVD/CDx, and Biomarker Assay Validation).

The 18th Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis (18th WRIB) took place in San Antonio, TX, USA on May 6-10, 2024. Over 1100 professionals representing pharma/biotech companies, CROs, and multiple regulatory agencies convened to actively discuss the most current topics of interest in bioanalysis. The 18th WRIB included 3 Main Workshops and 7 Specialized Workshops that together spanned 1 week to allow an exhaustive and thorough coverage of all major issues in bioanalysis of biomarkers, immunogenicity, gene therapy, cell therapy and vaccines.

Hyperactivity and Pro-inflammatory Functions of Platelets in Diabetes.

Cardiovascular complications claim the lives of up to 70% of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The mechanisms increasing cardiovascular risk in DM remain to be fully understood and successfully addressed. Nonetheless, there is increasing evidence in the scientific literature of the participation of platelets in the cardiovascular complications of DM.

The Impact of Modifiable Risk Factors on the Endothelial Cell Methylome and Cardiovascular Disease Development.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western world. A common underlying hallmark of CVD is the plaque-associated arterial thickening, termed atherosclerosis. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the aetiology of atherosclerosis remain unknown, it is clear that both its development and progression are associated with significant changes in the pattern of DNA methylation within the vascular cell wall.

Organizational Initiatives for the Recruitment, Retention and Advancement of Black Nurses: A Rapid Review.

Introduction: Black nurses are under-represented in the Canadian nursing workforce. A legacy of discrimination and systemic barriers reinforce the under-representation of Black nurses in the nursing workforce throughout the health system.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify and describe organizational initiatives for the recruitment, retention and advancement of Black nurses in the healthcare system.

Differences in Brain Volume and Thickness between Shammah (Smokeless Tobacco) Users and Non-Users: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Previous research has shown that smoking tobacco is associated with changes or differences in brain volume and cortical thickness, resulting in a smaller brain volume and decreased cortical thickness in smokers compared with non-smokers. However, the effects of smokeless tobacco on brain volume and cortical thickness remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of shammah, a nicotine-containing smokeless tobacco popular in Middle Eastern countries, is associated with differences in brain volume and thickness compared with non-users and to assess the influence of shammah quantity and type on these effects.

Addressing the Environmental Impact of Pharmaceuticals: A Call to Action.

The contribution of health care to environmental and climate crises is significant, under-addressed, and with consequences for human health. This editorial is a call to action. Focusing on pharmaceuticals as a major environmental threat, we examine pharmaceutical impacts across their lifecycle, summarising greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and biodiversity loss, and outlining challenges and opportunities to reduce this impact.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in the Peri-Operative Period.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are emerging as an important class of drugs in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. There are rising concerns of pulmonary aspiration with these medications due to drug-induced gastroparesis. While definitive association is uncertain, it is essential to be prudent and manage these patients as per the current evidence and recommendations.

How Outcome Prediction Could Aid Clinical Practice.

Predictive algorithms have myriad potential clinical decision-making implications from prognostic counselling to improving clinical trial efficiency. Large observational (or "real world") cohorts are a common data source for the development and evaluation of such tools. There is significant optimism regarding the benefits and use cases for risk-based care, but there is a notable disparity between the volume of clinical prediction models published and implementation into healthcare systems that drive and realise patient benefit.

Should All Doctors Undergo Mandatory Life Support Training?

Advanced life support certification has traditionally been the gold standard of resuscitation training for doctors and has been shown to improve outcomes from cardiac arrest. In 2021, Health Education England removed named courses from mandatory Foundational Programme competencies, which has resulted in capping of reimbursement and reduced access to courses. This represents a drop in educational standards which is particularly concerning when the medical school curriculum has been shown to deliver inconsistent, poor-quality resuscitation training.