Comparative efficacy of repurposed drugs lopinavir-ritonavir and darunavir-ritonavir in hospitalised COVID-19 patients: insights from a tertiary centre cohort.

Background: Drug repurposing has become a widely adopted strategy to minimise research time, costs, and associated risks. Combinations of protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and darunavir with ritonavir have been repurposed as treatments for COVID-19. Although lopinavir-ritonavir (LPV/r) and darunavir-ritonavir (DRV/r) have shown efficacy against COVID-19, the results in human studies have been inconsistent.

Exploring the composition of placental microbiome and its potential origin in preterm birth.

Introduction: For years, the placenta was believed to be sterile, but recent studies reveal it hosts a unique microbiome. Despite these findings, significant questions remain about the origins of the placental microbiome and its effects on pregnancy and fetal health. Some studies suggest it may originate from the vaginal tract, while others indicate that oral bacteria can enter the maternal bloodstream and seed the placenta.

The relation between perceived non-native features in the L1 speech of English migrants to Austria and their phonetic manifestation in L1 productions.

Aims: The purpose of this research was to investigate to what extent the most commonly identified non-native features in the L1 speech of late consecutive bilinguals are reflected in differences in the bilinguals' productions of these features compared with those of monolingual speakers of the L1.

Design: We investigated the L1 accent of English migrants to Austria and monolingual English speakers in the United Kingdom in two inter-related studies.

Data: In Study 1, an accent-perception experiment, native English listeners rated the nativeness of the monolinguals' and bilinguals' L1 English productions of read sentences, using a 6-point scale, and subsequently commented on the accentual features associated with perceived non-nativeness.

Importance of Ion Size on the Dominance of Water-Ion Versus Water-Water Interactions in Au-Supported Solvatomers.

The solvation of ions at interfaces is important to areas as diverse as atmospheric sciences, energy materials, and biology. Despite the significance, fundamental understanding, particularly at the molecular level, remains incomplete. Here, we probe the initial solvation of two singly charged but differently sized ions (Li and Cs) on a Au(111) by combining low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy with density functional theory.

One health investigation following a cluster of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, North Macedonia, July to November 2023.

BackgroundCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe illness characterised by fever, bleeding and high case-fatality rates. The disease is caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV), transmitted by ticks and infectious body fluids and tissues.AimAfter CCHF was diagnosed in three persons in 2023, we aimed to investigate the presence of antibodies against CCHFV in healthcare workers (HCW), sheep and goats, and of CCHFV in ticks, in an area in North Macedonia and characterise virus strains.

Molecular Dynamics Insights into Cyrene's Vapor-Liquid Equilibria and Transport Properties.

Since its inception in 2014, Cyrene has emerged as a promising biobased solvent derived from renewable cellulose waste, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional toxic solvents. However, experimental data on its thermodynamic and transport properties remain scarce. This study addresses this critical gap by employing state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulations.

A Regulatory Roadmap for Repurposing: Comparing Pathways for Making Repurposed Drugs Available In The EU, UK, And US.

To help academic and non-profit investigators interested in drug repurposing navigate regulatory approval processes, we compared pathways for repurposed drugs to obtain approval at EMA, UK MHRA, and the US FDA. Though we found no pathways specifically for repurposed drugs, pathways to market are available in all repurposing scenarios.

Pyridinamide Ion Pairs: Design Principles for Super-Nucleophiles in Apolar Organic Solvents.

A comprehensive analytical protocol combining conductivity, diffusion-ordered NMR (DOSY), and photometric kinetic measurements is employed to analyze the nucleophilic reactivity of pyridinamide ion pairs in low-polarity organic solvents. The association patterns of these systems are found to strongly depend on cation size, with larger cations favoring the formation of cationic triple ion sandwich complexes together with free and highly nucleophilic anions. Kinetic studies using the ionic strength-controlled benzhydrylium method demonstrate that pyridinamide ions exhibit significantly higher nucleophilicities as compared to established organocatalysts, particularly in low-polarity solvents.

Increasing the resolution of malaria early warning systems for use by local health actors.

Background: The increasing availability of electronic health system data and remotely-sensed environmental variables has led to the emergence of statistical models capable of producing malaria forecasts. Many of these models have been operationalized into malaria early warning systems (MEWSs), which provide predictions of malaria dynamics several months in advance at national and regional levels. However, MEWSs rarely produce predictions at the village-level, the operational scale of community health systems and the first point of contact for the majority of rural populations in malaria-endemic countries.

Quantifying the potential value of entomological data collection for programmatic decision-making on malaria control in sub-Saharan African settings.

Background: The availability of many tools for malaria control leads to complex decisions regarding the most cost-effective intervention package based on local epidemiology. Mosquito characteristics influence the impact of vector control, but entomological surveillance is often limited due to a lack of resources in national malaria programmes.

Methods: This study quantified the monetary value of information provided by entomological data collection for programmatic decision-making using a mathematical model of Plasmodium falciparum transmission.

A dedicated caller for DUX4 rearrangements from whole-genome sequencing data.

Rearrangements involving the DUX4 gene (DUX4-r) define a subtype of paediatric and adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with a favourable outcome. Currently, there is no 'standard of care' diagnostic method for their confident identification. Here, we present an open-source software tool designed to detect DUX4-r from short-read, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data.

Women and birth partners' experiences of cervical ripening at home and in hospital.

Background: In the United Kingdom, induction of labour rates are rapidly rising, and around a third of pregnant women undergo the procedure. The first stage, cervical ripening, traditionally carried out in hospital, is increasingly offered outpatient - or 'at home'. The current induction of labour rates place considerable demand on maternity services and impact women's experiences of care, and at home cervical ripening has been suggested as potential solution for alleviating these.

Cohort retention in a pandemic response study: lessons from the SARS-CoV2 Immunity & Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) study.

Background: SIREN is a healthcare worker cohort study aiming to determine COVID-19 incidence, duration of immunity and vaccine effectiveness across 135 NHS organisations in four UK nations. Conducting an intensive prospective cohort study during a pandemic was challenging. We designed an evolving retention programme, informed by emerging evidence on best practice.

Identifying Digital Markers of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a Remote Monitoring Setting: Prospective Observational Study.

Background: The symptoms and associated characteristics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are typically assessed in person at a clinic or in a research lab. Mobile health offers a new approach to obtaining additional passively and continuously measured real-world behavioral data. Using our new ADHD remote technology (ART) system, based on the Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapses (RADAR)-base platform, we explore novel digital markers for their potential to identify behavioral patterns associated with ADHD.

Patterns of physical activity in hunter-gatherer children compared with US and UK children.

Contemporary hunter-gatherers are highly active, but little is known about physical activity levels in hunter-gatherer children. We analysed 150 days of accelerometer data from 51 BaYaka hunter-gatherer children (aged 3-18) in the Republic of Congo, comparing it with British and American children using samples from Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). BaYaka children were highly active, engaging in over 3 h of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily, surpassing British adolescents by over 70 min.

Exploring the role of circulating proteins in multiple myeloma risk: a Mendelian randomization study.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable blood cancer with unclear aetiology. Proteomics is a valuable tool in exploring mechanisms of disease. We investigated the causal relationship between circulating proteins and MM risk, using two of the largest cohorts with proteomics data to-date.

Association between periodontitis and physical fitness in law enforcement workers.

Objectives: Oral and periodontal health have been linked to systemic health, cardiovascular disease and inflammation markers. Physical fitness has been linked to increased inflammatory response, but only few studies have investigated the association between oral health with physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oral and periodontal health status and physical fitness in British law enforcement workers.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery accelerated dental programme for medical graduates: a review of fourteen graduating years (2010-2023).

The accelerated dental degree, pioneered by King's College London (KCL) to facilitate dual qualification training pathways for primary medical degree trainees, has graduated its fourteenth class. The authors present data to demonstrate and analyse the success of the course, which was accumulated through an online questionnaire, direct communication with the alumni, a freedom of information request from KCL, and review of the General Dental and Medical Council registers. To date 133 students have graduated with updated information collated for 132 (99.

Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance recommendations toward environmentally sustainable cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Delivery of health care, including medical imaging, generates substantial global greenhouse gas emissions. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) community has an opportunity to decrease our carbon footprint, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and develop resiliency to current and future impacts of climate change. The goal of this document is to review and recommend actions and strategies to allow for CMR operation with improved sustainability, including efficient CMR protocols and CMR imaging workflow strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and waste, and to decrease reliance on finite resources, including helium and waterbody contamination by gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Exploring the lived experiences of diagnostic radiographers after transitioning to non-emergency imaging settings.

Introduction: The demand for diagnostic imaging in emergency clinical settings has increased in recent years, placing pressure on the available workforce. However, challenges including staff shortages and inflexible shift patterns may prompt radiographers to leave emergency settings. This study explores the lived experiences of radiographers who have transitioned to non-emergency settings and factors that might influence their decision to return.

Risk trajectory of cardiovascular events after an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. However, the temporal trend of this risk has not fully elucidated. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to quantify the risk of CV events after COPD exacerbations over different time periods.

Pregnant women's choices for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and can lead to severe respiratory distress, especially in very young infants. No specific treatments exist for RSV. However, new preventative strategies have become available including RSV vaccine for pregnant women and monoclonal antibody for infants.

Treatment of mandibular condyle fractures with a rhombic 3D condylar fracture plate - Does the surgical approach matter?

Fractures involving the mandibular condyle are a significant subset of mandibular fractures, demanding specialized implant design considerations for effective surgical treatment. The core objective of this study was to assess the clinical and radiographic results in patients treated with a single rhombic-shaped implant according to the surgical approach used. This retrospective cohort investigation, spanning a ten-year recruitment window, included individuals with unilateral fractures who underwent surgical treatment with a rhombic-shaped implant.

Efflux transporters in drug disposition during pregnancy.

Evidence-based dose selection of drugs in pregnant women has been lacking because of challenges in studying maternal-fetal pharmacokinetics. Hence, many drugs are administered off-label during pregnancy based on data obtained from nonpregnant women. During pregnancy, drug transporters play an important role in drug disposition along with known gestational age-dependent changes in physiology and drug-metabolizing enzymes.