Evaluating a Smart Textile Loneliness Monitoring System for Older People: Co-Design and Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Background: Previous studies have explored how sensor technologies can assist in in the detection, recognition, and prevention of subjective loneliness. These studies have shown a correlation between physiological and behavioral sensor data and the experience of loneliness. However, little research has been conducted on the design requirements from the perspective of older people and stakeholders in technology development.

The Association Between Sarcoidosis and Malignancy: A Comprehensive Population-Based Cohort Study.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder with a variable clinical course and complications. The relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancies remains unclear, including specific malignancy associations with sarcoidosis and whether the association is short-term, long-term, or a result of misdiagnoses or coincidence. This study investigated the association between sarcoidosis and malignancy by analyzing the varying intervals between the diagnoses of these two conditions to clarify their inter-relationship.

Optimizing Cement Content in Controlled Low-Strength Soils: Effects of Water Content and Hydration Time.

The Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid (EDTA) titration test is widely used for determining cement content, but its reliability is influenced by the hydration process of cement, which is affected by factors such as water content and hydration time. Despite their importance, these factors have received limited attention in existing research. This study explores the relationships between the volume of titrant required for stabilization, cement content, water content, and hydration time.

Dose-Response Associations Between Diet and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

To provide a systematic and quantitative summary of dietary factors and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk. A systematic review and meta-analysis included prospective cohort studies from 2000 to 2024 reporting relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for RA incidence relating to 32 different dietary exposures. Linear and non-linear dose-response analyses were conducted.

Rationalizing mAb Candidate Screening Using a Single Holistic Developability Parameter.

A framework for the rational selection of a minimal suite of nondegenerate developability assays (DAs) that maximize insight into candidate developability or storage stability is lacking. To address this, we subjected nine formulation:mAbs to 12 mechanistically distinct DAs together with measurement of their accelerated and long-term storage stability. We show that it is possible to identify a reduced set of key variables from this suite of DAs by using orthogonal statistical methods.

Edges of perception: balancing sensory loss and potential in assistive technology.

Being deafblind means my perception differs profoundly from those who are conventionally sighted and have non-impaired hearing. A lot of hidden knowledge is to be found in the disparity between these differing experiences that could be of great value in developing assistive technologies that have a broad scope to engage with both disabled and non-disabled users. This article explores the balancing act between sensory loss and the potential inherent in all of us and how this should be part of the design process of haptic assistive technology.

Computational wear prediction of articular cartilage based on a new anisotropic wear law.

Excessive wear can result in irreversible damage to the cartilage. Experimental studies indicate that cartilage wear is significantly influenced by both the orientation of unidirectionally aligned surface fibers and the biphasic structure of the tissue. Given challenges with invasive in vivo wear experiments, there is a pressing need for computational models to predict wear of the cartilage accurately.

Sequelae of B-Cell Depleting Therapy: An Immunologist's Perspective.

B-cell depleting therapy (BCDT) has revolutionised the treatment of B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases by targeting specific B-cell surface antigens, receptors, ligands, and signalling pathways. This narrative review explores the mechanisms, applications, and complications of BCDT, focusing on the therapeutic advancements since the introduction of rituximab in 1997. Various monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors are examined for their roles in depleting B cells through antibody-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Active Remote Focus Stabilization in Oblique Plane Microscopy.

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) has demonstrated great potential in the life sciences owing to its efficient volumetric imaging capabilities. For long term imaging, the light-sheet typically needs to be stabilized to the detection focal plane for the best imaging results. Current light-sheet stabilization methods rely on fluorescence emission from the sample, which may interrupt the scientific imaging and add to sample photobleaching.

The Bronchodilator and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists in Asthma: An EAACI Position Paper.

As cholinergic innervation is a major contributor to increased vagal tone and mucus secretion, inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) are a pillar for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. By blocking the muscarinic receptors expressed in the lung, LAMA improve lung function and reduce exacerbations in asthma patients who remained poorly controlled despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists. Asthma guidelines recommend LAMA as a third controller to be added on before the initiation of biologicals.

Supporting those experiencing food insecurity: A scoping review of the role of a dietitian.

Background: Increasing levels of food insecurity in the United Kingdom (UK) suggest an imperative to consider the role of dietitians in supporting people who may have insufficient access to safe and nutritious food.

Objective: To explore the available evidence on the (i) role of a dietitian, (ii) impact of support and (iii) training needs of dietitians to support those with inadequate access to food.

Methods And Design: Scoping review methodology was used to identify qualitative, quantitative and grey literature on the role of dietitians in supporting those with/or at risk of food insecurity.

Exploring urinary incontinence in hospitalised older women: A mixed methods investigation of prevalence and nurse perspectives.

Background: Approximately 40% of older women in the community report experiencing urinary incontinence (UI); prevalence within secondary care is unknown. Illness, comorbidities, and hospital environments are likely to lead to higher prevalence.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish UI prevalence in older women admitted to hospitals and understand the views and knowledge of ward nurses in relation to older women's UI.

The Relationship Between Dietary and Supplemental omega-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid Intake, Blood and Tissue omega-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrations, and Colorectal Polyp Recurrence: A Secondary Analysis of the seAFOod Polyp Prevention Trial.

Background: The seAFOod randomized controlled trial tested colorectal polyp prevention by the omega-3 (ω-3) highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and aspirin. Variable dietary intake of omega-3 HUFAs (also including docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) and differential EPA capsule compliance could confound analysis of trial outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between total (diet and capsule) daily omega-3 HUFA intake, red blood cell (RBC), and rectal mucosa omega-3 HUFA concentrations, and colorectal polyp outcomes in a secondary analysis of the seAFOod trial.

Prospective Piperacillin Lymphocyte Transformation Testing in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Receiving Regular and Desensitization Courses of Piperacillin-Tazobactam.

Background: Piperacillin-tazobactam is used in patients with cystic fibrosis to treat recurrent respiratory infections. Exposure is associated with a high frequency of nonimmediate hypersensitivity.

Objective: To assess the applicability of the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) for the diagnosis of piperacillin hypersensitivity and the influence of desensitization on piperacillin-specific T-cell responses.

Intersections between climate change and antimicrobial resistance: a systematic scoping review.

Climate change and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present crucial challenges for the health and wellbeing of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems worldwide, yet the two are largely treated as separate and unrelated challenges. The aim of this systematic scoping Review is to understand the nature of the growing evidence base linking AMR and climate change and to identify knowledge gaps and areas for further research. We conducted a systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed on 27 June, 2022.

Assessing multidimensional fidelity in a pilot optimization trial: A process evaluation of four intervention components supporting medication adherence in women with breast cancer.

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with breast cancer is low. We conducted a 24-1 fractional factorial pilot optimization trial to test four intervention components supporting medication adherence [text messages, information leaflet, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), self-management website], in the preparation phase of the multiphase optimization strategy. Guided by the National Institute of Health Behavior Change Consortium fidelity framework, we investigated fidelity of design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment of four intervention components.

Audit and Feedback Interventions for Antibiotic Prescribing in Primary Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review evaluates the effect of audit and feedback (A&F) interventions targeting antibiotic prescribing in primary care and examines factors that may explain the variation in effectiveness.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving A&F interventions targeting antibiotic prescribing in primary care were included in the systematic review. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.

A multivariable prediction model to identify anti-CCP positive people in those with non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms in primary care.

Objectives: We aimed to develop a prediction model identifying people presenting to primary care with musculoskeletal symptoms likely to be anti-CCP positive and therefore at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Participants aged ≥16 years, with new-onset non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms and no history of clinical synovitis, completed a symptom questionnaire and had an anti-CCP test. Model development used LASSO-penalised logistic regression, performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and decision curve analysis, model over-fit was estimated using bootstrapping and cross-validation.

Higher Assemblies of Coordination Cage-Catenanes Linked by Copper(II) Chloride Clusters: Networks and Transformations.

Cage-catenanes are chemical constructs where two or more cage-like molecules or assemblies are mechanically interlocked together. We report a new class of cage-catenanes where dimeric metal-organic cage-catenanes are linked into larger assemblies through additional bridging metal chloride links. These crystalline materials are obtained from the reaction of tris(nicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene (L1) with Cu(II) salts, and all feature a tetramer of cages where two {Cu(L1)(X)} cages (X=anion) are mechanically interlocked, and link to each other and to another {Cu(L1)(X)} cage-catenane through a planar, linear tetranuclear {Cu(μ-Cl)Cl} cluster.

Inspiration and curiosity: encouraging careers with postgraduate dental research.

The role of teachers and mentors is crucial in developing young members of the dental profession to consider an academic career. In this paper, the experience of the author, as a young postgraduate in paediatric dentistry at the Eastman Dental Center (Rochester, New York), is described when his curiosity was aroused concerning the possible causative or preventive effects of trace elements on tooth enamel. That curiosity was encouraged by Dr Basil Bibby, Director of the Eastman Dental Center, who inspired many students to conduct a research project.