Shared genetic factors and the interactions with fresh fruit intake contributes to four types squamous cell carcinomas.

Studies have reported risk factors for a single-squamous cell carcinoma(Single-SCCs). However, the shared common germline genetic factors and environmental factors have not been well elucidated with respect to augmented risk of pan-squamous cell carcinoma(Pan-SCCs). By integrating a large-scale genotype data of 1,928 Pan-SCCs cases and 7,712 age- and sex-matched controls in the UK Biobank cohort, as well as multiple transcriptome and protein databases, we conducted a multi-omics analysis.

Predefined and data-driven CT radiomics predict recurrence-free and overall survival in patients with pulmonary metastases treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Background: This retrospective study explores two radiomics methods combined with other clinical variables for predicting recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with pulmonary metastases treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Methods: 111 patients with 163 metastases treated with SBRT were included with a median follow-up time of 927 days. First-order radiomic features were extracted using two methods: 2D CT texture analysis (CTTA) using TexRAD software, and a data-driven technique: functional principal components analysis (FPCA) using segmented tumoral and peri-tumoural 3D regions.

Health outcome priorities of people with multiple long-term conditions using the outcome prioritisation tool in the UK: A survey study and feasibility assessment.

Background: The outcome prioritisation tool (OPT) is a simple tool to ascertain the health outcome priorities of people with MLTC. Use of this tool in people aged under 65 years with MLTC has not previously been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using the OPT in people with MLTC aged 45 years or above, in a multi-ethnic primary-care setting and describe the health outcome priorities of people with MLTC by age, clusters of long-term conditions and demographic factors, and to investigate any differences in prioritisation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BOAS in the Boston Terrier: A healthier screw-tailed breed?

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is well documented in the three most popular brachycephalic dog breeds of the UK and several other countries: French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs. More extreme conformation has been found to be associated with increased risk of BOAS and other brachycephalic disease in these breeds, such as ocular, neurological, and dental disease. Less is known about how BOAS and other brachycephalic conformation-related disease affects other breeds such as the Boston Terrier.

Evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admission related to common infections: Risk prediction models to tackle antimicrobial resistance in primary care.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multifaceted global challenge, partly driven by inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment of common infections, develop risk prediction models and examine the effects of antibiotics on infection-related hospital admissions.

Methods: With the approval of NHS England, we accessed electronic health records from The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) through OpenSAFELY platform.

A scaleable inducible knockout system for studying essential gene function in the malaria parasite.

The malaria parasite needs nearly half of its genes to propagate normally within red blood cells. Inducible ways to interfere with gene expression like the DiCre-lox system are necessary to study the function of these essential genes. However, existing DiCre-lox strategies are not well-suited to be deployed at scale to study several genes simultaneously.

The PROCAN-B study protocol: Early diagnosis of PROstate CANcer for Black men-a community-centred participatory approach in Scotland and the North-East of England.

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and Black African-Caribbean men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as white men. These cancer inequalities need urgent tackling. Barriers to early diagnosis are complex and require complex solutions.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose, parallel study to investigate the effects of a cathepsin S inhibitor in celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy with symptoms triggered by exposure to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The only available management option is lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-center study tested the effects of the cathepsin S inhibitor RO5459072 on the immune response to a 13-day gluten challenge in 19 participants with celiac disease (ClinicalTrials.

Clinical outcomes by baseline metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus sunitinib: Post hoc analysis of the CLEAR trial.

Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab significantly improved efficacy versus sunitinib in treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) in the phase 3 CLEAR study. We report results of an exploratory post hoc analysis of tumor response data based on baseline metastatic characteristics of patients who received lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus sunitinib, at the final overall survival analysis time point of CLEAR (cutoff: July 31, 2022). Treatment-naïve adults with aRCC were randomized to: lenvatinib (20 mg PO QD in 21-day cycles) plus pembrolizumab (n = 355; 200 mg IV Q3W); lenvatinib plus everolimus (not reported here); or sunitinib (n = 357; 50 mg PO QD; 4 weeks on/2 weeks off).

Effectiveness of behavior change techniques to address barriers to follow-up colonoscopy: results from an online survey and randomized factorial experiment.

Background: Nonattendance at colonoscopy is associated with reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) survival.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to quantify barriers to colonoscopy and test the effectiveness of behavior change techniques (BCTs) to address them.

Methods: Two studies were conducted.

Artificial intelligence chatbots mimic human collective behaviour.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots, such as ChatGPT, have been shown to mimic individual human behaviour in a wide range of psychological and economic tasks. Do groups of AI chatbots also mimic collective behaviour? If so, artificial societies of AI chatbots may aid social scientific research by simulating human collectives. To investigate this theoretical possibility, we focus on whether AI chatbots natively mimic one commonly observed collective behaviour: homophily, people's tendency to form communities with similar others.

Classification of direct threats to the conservation of ecosystems and species 4.0.

Identifying and assessing the magnitude of direct threats to ecosystems and species are critical steps to prioritizing, planning, implementing, and assessing conservation actions. Just as medical clinicians and researchers need a standard way to talk about human diseases, conservation practitioners and scientists need a common and comprehensive language to talk about the threats they are facing to facilitate joint action, evaluation, and learning. To meet this need, in 2008 the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the Conservation Measures Partnership produced the first version of a common threats classification with the understanding that it would be periodically updated to take into account new information and learning.

Medication review interventions for adults living with advanced chronic kidney disease: A scoping review.

Structured medication reviews (SMRs) were introduced into the National Health Service (NHS) Primary Care to support the delivery of the NHS Long-Term Plan for medicines optimization. SMRs improve the quality of care, reduce harm and offer value for money. However, evidence to support SMRs for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage G4-5D with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality is unknown.

The Value of P-Wave Parameters Changes in Predicting Catheter Ablation Outcomes for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the most promising management method for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The P wave in the electrocardiogram (ECG) represents atrial depolarization. This study aims to correlate P-wave parameters after PVI with outcomes.

Quantification of atrial cardiomyopathy disease severity by electroanatomic voltage mapping and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Atrial late gadolinium enhancement (Atrial-LGE) and electroanatomic voltage mapping (Atrial-EAVM) quantify the anatomical and functional extent of atrial cardiomyopathy. We aimed to explore the relationships between, and outcomes from, these modalities in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing ablation.

Methods: Patients undergoing first-time ablation had disease severities quantified using both Atrial-LGE and Atrial-EAVM.

Alterations in gut-derived uremic toxins before the onset of azotemic chronic kidney disease in cats.

Background: Although gut-derived uremic toxins are increased in azotemic chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats and implicated in disease progression, it remains unclear if augmented formation or retention of these toxins is associated with the development of renal azotemia.

Objectives: Assess the association between gut-derived toxins (ie, indoxyl-sulfate, p-cresyl-sulfate, and trimethylamine-N-oxide [TMAO]) and the onset of azotemic CKD in cats.

Animals: Forty-eight client-owned cats.

Vitamin D and Endometriosis: Is There a Mechanistic Link?

Endometriosis is a prevalent chronic gynaecological disorder, but its cause is still unclear, and both genetic and environmental factors may contribute disease aetiology. Prominent amongst the latter is vitamin D which can be obtained either by the action of sunlight on skin or from dietary sources. Serum levels of the main circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxvitamin D (25(OH)D), have been reported to be inversely correlated with endometriosis, suggesting that vitamin D-deficiency may be a risk factor for the disease.

Ethics and community nursing.

Iwan Dowie explores the critical role of ethics in community nursing, where nurses often make autonomous decisions in the home care of patients. Nurses are tasked with balancing individual patient rights with the broader needs of society, guided by ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice.

Assisted dying legislation: challenges and considerations for community nurses.

The article focuses on assisted dying, its legislation process and why it might be a political priority for UK lawmakers at this time. The author also raises questions about what the implications of this bill for nurses, particularly community nurses. The article mentions places outside the UK where assisted dying is already a feature of healthcare.

The impact of cold weather on older people and the vital role of community nurses.

Over the past 160 years, the UK has experienced significant winter mortality among older people. A quarter of a million older people have died from cold-related illnesses over the past decade, with one older person dying every seven minutes. Misconceptions about winter deaths must be addressed.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Targeted therapies have been associated with potential risk of malignancy, which is a common concern in daily rheumatology practice in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a history of cancer.

Objectives: To perform a systematic literature review to inform a Task Force formulating EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with IA and a history of cancer.

Methods: Specific research questions were defined within the Task Force before formulating the exact research queries with a librarian.