Aberrant fumarate metabolism links interferon release in diffuse systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an idiopathic rheumatic inflammatory disease that is characterised by inflammation and skin fibrosis. Type I interferon is significantly elevated in the disease.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the role of the TCA cycle metabolite fumarate in SSc.

Swarm-initialized adaptive controller with beetle antenna searching of wearable lower limb exoskeleton for sit-to-stand and walking motions.

In recent years, exoskeleton robots have attracted great interest from researchers in the area of robotics due to their ability to assist human functionality improvement. A wearable lower limb exoskeleton is aimed at supporting the limb functionality rehabilitation process and to assist physical therapists. Development of a stable and robust control system for multi-joint rehabilitation robots is a challenging task due to their non-linear dynamic systems.

Efficacy and Safety of Total Body Irradiation Versus Chemotherapy Conditioning for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative option for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have achieved remission. This systematic review and meta-analysis compare the efficacy of total body irradiation (TBI) versus chemotherapy (CHT) based regimens for conditioning in adult ALL patients being prepared for HSCT. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and relevant trial registries from their inception to August 2024.

Quantitative liver function imaging and whole genome sequencing - Effective modalities for a new era in personalised decision-making for operable colorectal liver metastases?

Background: The optimal strategy for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is unclear. The Precision1 prospective, observational trial assessed whether pre-operative functional imaging and whole genome sequencing (WGS), could enhance individualized decision-making.

Methods: Patients with CRLM considered for hepatectomy were recruited.

Decision-making under flood predictions: A risk perception study of coastal real estate.

Flood models, while representing our best knowledge of a natural phenomenon, are continually evolving. Their predictions, albeit undeniably important for flood risk management, contain considerable uncertainties related to model structure, parameterization, and input data. With multiple sources of flood predictions becoming increasingly available through online flood maps, the uncertainties in these predictions present considerable risks related to property devaluation.

Evolutionary analysis of a coupled epidemic-voluntary vaccination behavior model with immunity waning on complex networks.

Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing and controlling the transmission of infectious diseases within populations. However, the phenomenon of waning immunity can induce periodic fluctuations in epidemic spreading. This study proposes a coupled epidemic-vaccination dynamic model to analyze the influence of immunity waning on the epidemic spreading within the context of voluntary vaccination.

Development of a machine learning algorithm to identify cauda equina compression on MRI scans.

Objective: Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) poses significant neurological risks if untreated. Diagnosis relies on clinical and radiological features. As the symptoms are often non specific and common, the diagnosis is usually made after a MRI scan.

Levelling up the Study of Animal Gameplay.

Play in humans and other animals is widespread and intuitive to recognise. Creative, unstructured play is difficult to quantify, but games direct play towards a specific goal and have defined rules, mechanics and rewards. To date, games have been under-utilised in human and animal behavioural neuroscience.

Return to Sport after First Metatarsophalangeal Arthrodesis in Elite Athletes.

Introduction: Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) is a reliable procedure in alleviating pain and restoring function. However, there is limited published literature of the outcomes of this procedure and the ability to return to sport in elite athletes. This study aims to assess the outcomes of first MTPJ arthrodesis in the elite athlete population and their ability to return to professional sport.

Physical Color Calibration of Digital Pathology Scanners for Robust Artificial Intelligence Assisted Cancer Diagnosis.

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital pathology is limited by technical inconsistencies in the production of whole slide images (WSIs). This causes degraded AI performance and poses a challenge for widespread clinical application, as fine-tuning algorithms for each site is impractical. Changes in the imaging workflow can also compromise diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

Comparison of plastisphere microbiomes during the degradation of conventional and biodegradable mulching films.

Biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) are becoming increasingly popular in agriculture and are emerging as an alternative to conventional polyethylene (PE) films. However, the intricate details surrounding the establishment and growth of microorganisms on BDMs and PE during their degradation in agricultural fields remain unclear. In this study, the succession of bacterial communities in farmland soil and the plastispheres of PE and BDMs were compared through 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and real-time PCR.

Unlocking the power of population health management to strengthen primary health care.

Population health management (PHM) is a people-centred, data-driven and proactive approach to improving the health and well-being of a defined population, considering the differences within that population and their social determinants of health. By using quantitative and qualitative data insights, PHM helps primary care providers identify population cohorts with similar needs or 'at risk' of a given negative outcome/s. This enables primary care providers to address their needs in a targeted, tailored, proactive and holistic way through coordination with other care levels and sectors.

Plasma-electrolytic oxidation: A rapid single step post processing approach for additively manufactured biomedical implants.

Laser-powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) has enabled production of customised skeletal implants that incorporate porous lattices structures to enable bone ingrowth. However, the inherent surface roughness of PBF-LB, characterised by partially adhered particles and undulating sub-topography, remains a barrier to adoption. As such PBF-LB surfaces require several time-consuming post-processing steps, nevertheless, conventional finishing techniques are often limited by geometrical part complexity, making them unsuitable for porous PBF-LB parts.

Adverse events during and after early mobilisation: A post hoc analysis of the TEAM trial.

Background: The Treatment of Mechanically Ventilated Adults with Early Activity and Mobilisation (TEAM) trial reported a higher occurrence of adverse events with greater mobilisation. However, their timing and nature remained unexplored. We conducted an in-depth exploration of such events.

Chronic pelvic pain treatment understanding what matters: a social media survey.

Abstract: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a debilitating condition that reduces quality of life (QoL). In the United Kingdom, there is currently no standardised treatment pathway for women suffering from CPP. Therefore, it is essential to understand individuals' concerns regarding CPP, their treatment experiences and what they seek from treatment.

Characteristics of Ra-226 particles from legacy contamination and implications for radiological protection.

Radioactive particles are physically discrete sources of radioactivity that have been released into the environment as result of past accidents, incidents, and practices, and can present a hazard to members of the public. The historical use of radium in the luminising of aircraft components, and the subsequent decommissioning of those aircraft and associated waste disposal practices, has left a legacy of contamination, such as the radioactive particles containing Ra-226 at Dalgety Bay, Scotland. The aim of this research was to physically, chemically, and radiologically characterise Ra-226 particles from Dalgety Bay and consider the implications for radiological protection of the public.

Machine learning-based models for prediction of innovative medicine reimbursement decisions in Scotland.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the critical factors for reimbursement decisions of innovative medicines in Scotland and to explore the feasibility of machine learning models for predicting decisions.

Method: All appraisals for innovative medicines issued by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) from 2016 to 2020 were screened to extract decision outcomes and 24 explanatory factors. SelectKBest with chi-square test was used for factor selection.

Sacubitril/Valsartan for Blood Pressure Lowering in Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3-5 Patients With Hypertension: A Multicenter Clinical Study.

To assess the effectiveness and safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan in reducing blood pressure in individuals with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) Stage 3-5 complicated by hypertension. This study was a multicenter retrospective analysis conducted from March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024, involving adult patients with NDD-CKD Stage 3-5 and hypertension, who received Sacubitril/Valsartan either as a monotherapy or in addition to current antihypertensive treatments that were insufficient. The main outcomes measured were blood pressure control, changes in blood pressure and laboratory parameters within 8 weeks post-treatment initiation, and incidence of adverse events.

Multidimensional fatigue and its impact on work productivity, mood and quality of life in long-term survivors following definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) can lead to late toxicity. Fatigue is a known debilitating issue for many cancer survivors, yet prevalence and severity of long-term fatigue in patients treated for OPC is unknown.

Method: As part of a mixed-methods study, fatigue in OPC patients ≥ 2 years post RT + / - chemotherapy was evaluated.

Assessment of the Potential Clinical and Economic Impact of Weight Loss in the Adult Population with Obesity and Associated Comorbidities in Spain.

Introduction: Obesity and its complications are associated with high morbidity/mortality and a significant healthcare cost burden in Spain. It is therefore essential to know the potential clinical and economic benefits of reducing obesity. The objective of this study is to predict the decrease in rates of onset of potential complications associated with obesity and the cost savings after a weight loss of 15% over 10 years in Spain.

ERP correlates of agency processing in joint action.

In the Ouija board phenomenon, the lack of agency experienced by the players leads them to attribute the movement of the planchette to spirits. The aim of this study was to investigate the neural and cognitive mechanisms involved in generating the sense of agency in such a joint action context. Two players (a participant and a confederate) jointly moved a Ouija board style planchette containing a wireless mouse.

Occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust and first-time acute myocardial infarction - a nationwide register-based cohort study 1976- 2018.

Aims: Exposure to air pollution including diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is associated with increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Few studies have investigated the risk of AMI according to occupational exposure to DEE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to DEE and the risk of first-time AMI.

Rationale and Ethical Assessment of an Oropharyngeal Gonorrhoea Controlled Human Infection Model.

Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhoea, causes significant morbidity worldwide and can have long-term impacts on reproductive health. The greatest global burden of gonorrhoea occurs in low- and middle-income settings. Global public health significance is increasing due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens future gonorrhoea management.