Spirometric pattern and cardiovascular risk: a prospective study of 0.3 million Chinese never-smokers.

Background: Existing studies have not provided robust evidence about the CVD risk of non-smoking patients with restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP) or airflow obstruction (AFO), and how the risk is modified by body shape. We aimed to bridge the gap.

Methods: We used never-smokers' data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) and performed Cox models by sex (278,953 females and 50,845 males).

Bone imaging modality precision and agreement between DXA, pQCT, and HR-pQCT.

Quantifying precision error for DXA, peripheral QCT (pQCT), and HR-pQCT is crucial for monitoring longitudinal changes in body composition and musculoskeletal outcomes. Agreement and associations between bone variables assessed using pQCT and second-generation HR-pQCT are unclear. This study aimed to determine the precision of, and agreement and associations between, bone variables assessed via DXA, pQCT, and second-generation HR-pQCT.

Impact of mask wearing time on fluid consumption and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To examine the associations between mask-wearing on fluid consumption and physical activity behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: 137 college students (female, 72.5%; age, 26 ± 9 y) completed a survey detailing their fluid intake, physical activity behaviors, and time spent wearing a mask throughout the day during the previous month in the Fall 2020 academic semester.

The burden of hepatitis E virus infection among Ghanaian pregnant women.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant burden on pregnant women, with associated negative outcomes. Although well-described in many developed countries, the epidemiology of the disease and its impact on maternal and fetal health in Ghana is not fully understood.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of 10 district hospitals in five regions of Ghana.

Exploring segmented assimilation theory in health education utilization and its influencing factors among internal migrants in China: insights from the 2017 China migrants dynamic survey.

Introduction: This study investigated segmented assimilation patterns and factors influencing health education utilization (HEU) among internal migrant populations in China, driven by concerns over their declining health owing to urbanization-related changes.

Methods: Data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey were analyzed, focusing on 13,998 rural migrants. Negative binomial regression was used to explore assimilation patterns and determine the factors affecting HEU among internal migrants in China.

"A torch, a rope, a belly laugh": engaging with the multiple voices of support groups for people living with rare dementia.

Purpose: Rare forms of dementia bring unique difficulties related to age of onset, impact on family commitments, employment and finances, and also bring distinctive needs for support and care. The aim of the present study was to explore and better understand what the concept of support means for people living with different rare dementia (PLwRD) and their care-partners who attend ongoing support groups.

Methods: Representing seven types of rare dementia, source material was collected from 177 PLwRD and care-partners attending in-person support groups, with the goal of developing research-informed group poems, co-constructed by a facilitating poet.

Young people's experiences of informal kinship care in Luwero, Uganda.

There is strong evidence that outside parental care, informal kinship care is the most practiced, sustainable and affordable form of childcare in SSA (sub-Saharan Africa). As a longstanding cultural tradition, informal kinship care embraces childcare as the responsibility of all extended family members, and often the wider community. However, over the past decades, informal kinship care has become gradually strained by political, economic and social conditions, such as: legacies of colonialism, increasing levels of poverty and inequality, instability, or infectious diseases.

The impact of advertising on women's self-perception: a systematic review.

This systematic review explores the multifaceted psychological impact of advertising on women's self-perception, examining traditional advertising, femvertising, and the emerging effects of digital transformation. By synthesizing evidence from 95 peer-reviewed studies, this review examines the relationship between media portrayals of women and key psychological outcomes, including body image, self-esteem, self-objectification, and gender role attitudes. Our analysis reveals that traditional advertising, which often features idealized and stereotypical portrayals of femininity, continues to be associated with negative psychological outcomes such as increased body dissatisfaction and self-objectification.

Comparison of health technology assessments for digital therapeutics in Germany, the United Kingdom and France.

Objective: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are promising technologies. However, current assessment and access frameworks, when they exist, are heterogeneous and fragmented. We analysed and compared health technology assessment (HTA) criteria for DTx across European countries that had assessed the same DTx products.

Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy and De-escalation of Surgery in Locally Advanced Breast Implant-associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma diagnosed in patients with a history of breast implants. Most patients develop a periprosthetic effusion at early stages of disease while less common presentations include a palpable mass, severe capsular contracture, lymphadenopathy, or cutaneous erythema. Due to the complex nature of this disease, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for optimal management, particularly in locally advanced disease or inoperable patients.

Impact of disease cyclicity on quality-of-life impairment-A mixed method explanatory study.

Background: Disease cyclicity, a composite measure of unpredictable and daily fluctuations of symptoms, strongly predicts quality-of-life (QoL) impairment.

Objective: To explore the mechanisms by which cyclicity impacts QoL.

Methods: 1:1 semi-structured interviews were conducted and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory.

Economic and equity evaluation of age restrictions on over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements.

Over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements are linked to increased eating disorder diagnoses, especially among youth. With limited regulatory oversight, minors may unknowingly consume harmful substances leading to other adverse effects. Massachusetts has proposed restricting sales to individuals under 18 years.

Effects of UK hostile environment policies on maternity care for refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants in Camden: Examining the experiences of healthcare professionals and community organisations.

Background: The London borough of Camden has long been home for many refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants (RASUs). Over time, it has witnessed an increase in the population of these migrant groups, accompanied by notable changes in the obstacles they encounter when seeking health services, particularly maternity care. We explore how the 'hostile environment' policies affect access to and delivery of quality maternity services for RASUs.

Evaluation of controls, quality control assays, and protocol optimisations for PacBio HiFi sequencing on diverse and challenging samples.

The Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project aims to generate high-quality reference genomes for all eukaryotic organisms in Britain and Ireland. At the time of writing, PacBio HiFi reads are generated for all samples using the Sequel IIe systems by the Wellcome Sanger Institute's Scientific Operations teams, however we expect lessons from this work to apply directly to the Revio system too, as core principles of SMRT sequencing remain the same. We observed that HiFi yield is highly variable for DToL samples.

Fostering effective hybrid human-LLM reasoning and decision making.

The impressive performance of modern Large Language Models (LLMs) across a wide range of tasks, along with their often non-trivial errors, has garnered unprecedented attention regarding the potential of AI and its impact on everyday life. While considerable effort has been and continues to be dedicated to overcoming the limitations of current models, the potentials and risks of human-LLM collaboration remain largely underexplored. In this perspective, we argue that enhancing the focus on human-LLM interaction should be a primary target for future LLM research.

Probiotic LV149 enhances gut repair, modulates microbiota, and alters transcriptome in DSS-induced colitis mice.

Purpose: Gut microbiota dysbiosis significantly impacts ulcerative colitis (UC) progression and exacerbation. Probiotics show promise in UC management. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of LV149, an aquatic-derived probiotic, on gut injury repair in male C57BL/6 mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

Large Language Models in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis and Examination of Research Trends.

Background: The integration of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare has generated significant interest due to their potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, personalization of treatment, and patient care efficiency.

Objective: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to identify current research trends, main themes and future directions regarding applications in the healthcare sector.

Methods: A systematic scan of publications until 08.

Biologic therapies targeting type 2 cytokines are effective at improving asthma symptoms and control-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Allergic asthma is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease driven by aeroallergen exposure. In severe asthma, the current standard of care does not fully control disease symptoms, indicating an unmet clinical need. Biologic therapies targeting cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 have been shown to provide benefits to asthmatic patients over currently existing asthma treatments.

Chinese patent medicine tongxinluo capsule as a supplement to treat chronic coronary syndromes: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is a common clinical condition that increases the risk of cardiovascular events at any time. Tongxinluo capsules (TXL) are widely used in China for treating CCS.

Objectives: To systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of adding TXL to Western medical treatment (WM) for CCS.

Evolving perspectives on aortic stenosis: the increasing importance of evaluating the right ventricle before aortic valve intervention.

Aortic stenosis (AS) was historically considered a disease of the left side of the heart, with the main pathophysiological impact being predominantly on the left ventricle (LV). However, progressive pressure overload in AS can initiate a cascade of extra-valvular myocardial remodeling that could also precipitate maladaptive alterations in the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV). The haemodynamic and clinical importance of these changes in patients with AS have been largely underappreciated in the past.

Patients' views and experiences of the first community pharmacy-based medication therapy management clinic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A qualitative study.

Objective: This qualitative study aimed to describe patients' experiences of a community pharmacy (CP)-based medication therapy management program (MTM).

Methods: Qualitative, semistructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of patients with uncontrolled diabetes who received care at a CP-based MTM clinic. Interviews were conducted in the MTM clinic of Health Kingdom CP in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a research pharmacist using an interview guide.

Avian influenza annual report 2023.

All European Union (EU) Member States (MSs), along with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland), conduct surveillance for avian influenza (AI) in poultry and wild birds. EFSA, upon mandate of the European Commission, compiles and analyses this data in an annual report. This summary highlights findings from the 2023 surveillance activities.

Breaking Barriers Transforming Primary Care to Serve the Physical Health Needs of Individuals With SMI in the NHS.

This critical review paper examines the health inequalities faced by individuals with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) in the United Kingdom; highlighting the disproportionate burden of physical health conditions such as respiratory disorders, cardiac illnesses, diabetes and stroke amongst this population. These conditions contribute to a significantly higher rate of premature mortality in individuals with SMI, with two-thirds of these deaths deemed preventable. Despite the National Health Service (NHS) acknowledging the need to address these health inequalities, the mortality gap between those with and without SMI continues to widen.