Development and evaluation of a quality improvement educational video on joint contractures for care home staff.

Background: Contractures are a debilitating problem for individuals living in long-term care settings. However, there is a lack of education and training among the care staff regarding the identification of risk factors related to contractures and the preventive strategies that can decrease their development or progression. Addressing this knowledge gap has the potential to improve the quality of care provided to residents in care homes.

Falls prevention in an older adult mental health ward through a quality improvement initiative.

Falls in the inpatient units are the most frequently reported patient safety incidents and their consequences can be devastating. Risk factors for falls are broadly categorised into two factors-'extrinsic and intrinsic' and while the effect of functional mental health conditions on falls has not been extensively studied, older adults with dementia are at a higher risk of falling. Their impact could lead to delayed functional recovery, distress, increased length of hospital stays and an increased fear of falling.

Approach to investigation and management of proteinuria in pregnancy.

Pregnancy leads to significant changes in renal physiology which results in increased in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and enhanced protein excretion. These changes may continue in the postnatal period and might be observed for five to six months after birth. Once confirmed, proteinuria warrants investigation and close surveillance.

Hyponatremia incidence after subarachnoid hemorrhage and association with outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Hyponatremia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is common, however the incidence, and association with vasospasm, morbidity, and mortality, has yet to be defined. We aimed to identify incidence of hyponatremia after aSAH, and quantify its association with measurable outcomes.

Methods: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (PROSPERO ID CRD42022363472).

Mode of Action of Psyllium in Reducing Gas Production from Inulin and its Interaction with Colonic Microbiota: A 24 hours, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Human Volunteers.

Background: Recent studies show that the increase in breath hydrogen (BH) and symptoms after ingestion of inulin is reduced by co-administering psyllium.

Objectives: To determine if slowing delivery of inulin to the colon by administering it in divided doses would mimic the effect of psyllium. Primary endpoint was the BH area under the curve AUC.

A large-scale multi-omics polygenic risk score analysis identified candidate risk locus associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations of multi-omics polygenic risk score (PRS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to identify potential genes/proteins and biological pathways.

Methods: Based on multi-omics data from 48,813 participants in the INTERVAL cohort, we calculated multi-omics PRS for 13,646 mRNAs (RNASeq), 308 proteins (Olink), 2,380 proteins (SomaScan), 726 metabolites (Metabolon), and 141 metabolites (Nightingale). Using the generalized linear model, we first evaluated the associations between multi-omics PRS and RA in 58,813 UK Biobank participants.

Effect of Medium Chain Triglycerides and Whey Protein Isolate Preloads on Glycaemia in Type 2 Diabetes: A randomised crossover study.

Background: Small nutritional preloads can reduce postprandial glucose excursions in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome or T2D. However, most studies have focused on preloads administered before single meals and have predominantly used protein-based preloads.

Objective: To investigate the effects of sequential consumption of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and whey protein isolate (WPI) preloads before breakfast lunch and dinner on postprandial, diurnal and 24h glycaemia in individuals with T2D.

Computational Pathology Detection of Hypoxia-Induced Morphological Changes in Breast Cancer.

Understanding the tumor hypoxic microenvironment is crucial for grasping tumor biology, clinical progression, and treatment responses. This study presents a novel application of AI in computational histopathology to evaluate hypoxia in breast cancer. Weakly Supervised Deep Learning (WSDL) models can accurately detect morphological changes associated with hypoxia in routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) whole slide images (WSI).

Development and evaluation of high fidelity, multidisciplinary simulation training course for high consequence infectious diseases using fluorescence visualisation.

Background: High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) include contact-transmissible viral haemorrhagic fevers and airborne-transmissible infections such as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome. Assessing suspected HCID cases requires specialised infection control measures including patient isolation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination. There is need for an accessible course for NHS staff to improve confidence and competence in using HCID PPE outside specialist HCID centres.

Clinical Spectrum and Prognosis of Atypical Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Caused by Monoallelic Pathogenic Variants of IFT140.

Rationale & Objective: Monoallelic predicted Loss-of-Function (pLoF) variants in IFT140 have recently been associated with an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)-like phenotype. This study sought to enhance the characterization of this phenotype.

Study Design: Case series.

Deconstructing delay discounting in human cocaine addiction using computational modelling and neuroimaging.

Background: A preference for sooner-smaller over later-larger rewards, known as delay discounting, is a candidate transdiagnostic marker of waiting impulsivity and a research domain criterion. While abnormal discounting rates have been associated with many psychiatric diagnoses and abnormal brain structure, the underlying neuropsychological processes remain largely unknown. Here, we deconstruct delay discounting into choice and rate processes by testing different computational models and investigate their associations with white matter tracts.

Epidemiological characteristics and genetic diversity of Bartonella species from rodents in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Southwestern China.

Bartonella spp. are gram-negative bacteria recognized as zoonotic pathogens of wide spectrum mammals. Rodents are recognized as a natural reservoir of pathogens, and many Bartonella species transmitted by various blood-sucking arthropods have been detected in various rodents populations.

An overview of additive manufacturing strategies of enzyme-immobilized nanomaterials with application incatalysis and biomedicine.

Meticulous and bespoke fabrication of structural materials with simple yet innovative outlines along with on-demand availability is the imperative aspiration for numerous fields. The alliance between nanotechnology and enzymes has led to the establishment of an inimitable and proficient class of materials. With the advancement in the field of additive manufacturing, the fabrication of some complex biological architects is achievable with similitude to the instinctive microenvironment of the biological tissue.

Anionic polysaccharides as delivery carriers for cancer therapy and theranostics: An overview of significance.

Recently, cancer therapy has witnessed remarkable advancements with a growing focus on precision medicine and targeted drug delivery strategies. The application of anionic polysaccharides has gained traction in various drug delivery systems. Anionic polysaccharides have emerged as promising delivery carriers in cancer therapy and theranostics, offering numerous advantages such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, and the ability to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic agents to tumor sites with high specificity.

How does neurochemistry affect attachment styles in humans? The role of oxytocin and the endogenous opioid system in sociotropy and autonomy - a systematic review.

Oxytocin was hypothesised to play a critical role in forming and maintaining secure attachments, shown to confer resilience against affective disorders. The endogenous opioid system has also emerged as a key player in attachment dynamics. In this pre-registered systematic review, we investigated whether individual differences in the functioning of these neurochemical systems are related to attachment styles, following PRISMA guidelines.

Multimodal MRI Analysis of Microstructural and Functional Connectivity Brain Changes Following Systematic Audio-Visual Training in a Virtual Environment.

Recent work has shown rapid microstructural brain changes in response to learning new tasks. These cognitive tasks tend to draw on multiple brain regions connected by white matter (WM) tracts. Therefore, behavioural performance change is likely to be the result of microstructural, functional activation, and connectivity changes in extended neural networks.

A cross-species assessment of in silico prediction methods of steady-state volume of distribution using Simcyp Simulators.

Predicting steady-state volume of distribution (V) is a key component of pharmacokinetic predictions and often guided using preclinical data. However, when bottom-up prediction from physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models and observed V misalign in preclinical species, or predicted V from different models varies significantly, no consensus exists for selecting models or preclinical species to improve the prediction. Through systematic analysis of V prediction across rat, dog, monkey, and human, using common methods, a practical strategy for predicting human V, with or without integration of preclinical PK information is warranted.

Assessment of Photoreceptor Recovery and Visual Function Utilizing Adaptive Optics and Microperimetry in Patients with Surgically Closed Macular Holes.

Background: This study investigated the association between photoreceptor structural restoration and visual function outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for closed macular holes (MHs). Using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) and microperimetry, we aimed to provide a more detailed understanding of photoreceptor recovery and visual improvement in closed MHs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 31 eyes of 28 patients who underwent vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling to treat idiopathic MHs.

Long-term outcomes of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass vs second generation drug eluting stent for management of isolated left anterior descending artery disease.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes in a propensity matched population receiving either minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) using left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) or percutaneous coronary intervention using second generation everolismus-eluting stents (DES-PCI) in patients treated for isolated proximal LAD stenosis.

Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2017, 421 patients with a nonemergency status undergoing primary isolated proximal LAD revascularization were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into two groups: 111 patients receiving MIDCAB LITA to LAD and 310 patients receiving DES-PCI. Propensity score matching selected 111 pairs and both groups were comparable for all baseline characteristics and well balanced.

Longitudinal associations between air pollution and incident dementia as mediated by MRI-measured brain volumes in the UK Biobank.

Background: Although there is increasing evidence that environmental exposures are associated with the risk of neurodegenerative conditions, there is still limited mechanistic evidence evaluating potential mediators in human populations.

Methods: UK Biobank is a large long-term study of 500,000 adults enrolled from 2006 to 2010 age 40-69 years. ICD-10 classified reports of dementia cases up to 2022 (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia in other classified diseases, and unspecified dementia) were identified from health record linkage.

Innovative approaches to cationic and anionic (catanionic) amphiphiles self-assemblies: Synthesis, properties, and industrial applications.

Meeting the contemporary demand for the development of functional, biocompatible, and environment friendly self-assembled structures using efficient, cost-effective, and energy-saving methods, the field of colloids has witnessed a surge in interest. Research into cationic and anionic (catanionic) surfactant combinations has gained momentum due to their distinct advantages and synergistic properties in this context. Catanionic self-assemblies have emerged as promising contenders for addressing these requirements.

Machine learning techniques for the prediction of indoor gamma-ray dose rates - Strengths, weaknesses and implications for epidemiology.

We investigate methods that improve the estimation of indoor gamma ray dose rates at locations where measurements had not been made. These new predictions use a greater range of modelling techniques and larger variety of explanatory variables than our previous examinations of this subject. Specifically, we now employ three types of machine learning models in addition to the geostatistical, nearest neighbour and other earlier models.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes targeting quality of life, psychological wellbeing, and functional capacity in pulmonary embolism survivors; a systematic review and best evidence synthesis.

Background: Half of people post pulmonary embolism (PE) experience ongoing symptoms such as dyspnoea, anxiety and depression, exercise limitation and fatigue. These symptoms can reduce their quality of life (QoL), psychological wellbeing, and functional capacity. The efficacy of rehabilitation interventions to prevent and manage these symptoms has not been established.

Using AI to prevent the insect apocalypse: toward new environmental risk assessment procedures.

Insect populations are declining globally, with multiple potential drivers identified. However, experimental data are needed to understand their relative contributions. We highlight the sublethal effects of pesticides at field-relevant concentrations, often overlooked in standard environmental risk assessments (ERA), as significant contributors to these declines.