An exploratory case study of food sharing practices in Caribbean countries through a transition lens using intergenerational dyad interviews.

Background: Caribbean populations face complex health issues related to diet and food security as they undergo a rapid nutrition transition, resulting in some of the world's highest number of premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Despite policy efforts to promote local and regional food consumption, reliance on food imports remains high with many Caribbean countries importing more than 80% of their food from larger economies. Previous regional research revealed the importance of food sharing practices in the Caribbean, with implications for the consumption of local foods, food security, and community resilience against climate change.

Hypoglycaemic stimulation of macrophage cytokine release is suppressed by AMP-activated protein kinase activation.

Aims: Acute hypoglycaemia promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production, increasing the risk for cardiovascular events in diabetes. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is regulated by and influences the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We sought to examine the mechanistic role of AMPK in low glucose-induced changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is elevated in people with diabetes.

Proteomic signatures of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementias: A comparative analysis.

Introduction: We aimed to identify unique proteomic signatures of Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD).

Methods: We conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of 33 post mortem brains from AD, DLB, and PDD individuals without dementia focusing on prefrontal, cingulate, and parietal cortices, using weighted gene co-expression network analyses with differential enrichment analysis.

Results: Network modules revealed hub proteins common to all dementias.

Evaluating the use of electromyography in UK and European gait laboratories for the assessment of cerebral palsy and other neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.

Background: Electromyography (EMG) can estimate the magnitude and timing of muscle activation during walking in those with gait disorders. Despite the potential of EMG use in assessment and clinical decision-making, there are reports of declining use of EMG within gait laboratories. Technical and educational barriers to EMG usage in clinics in Italy were recently suggested.

Assessing the comparative effects of interventions in COPD: a tutorial on network meta-analysis for clinicians.

To optimize patient outcomes, healthcare decisions should be based on the most up-to-date high-quality evidence. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are vital for demonstrating the efficacy of interventions; however, information on how an intervention compares to already available treatments and/or fits into treatment algorithms is sometimes limited. Although different therapeutic classes are available for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), assessing the relative efficacy of these treatments is challenging.

Biologically defined neuronal synuclein disease as a tool to advance drug development.

In a recent Viewpoint article (. 2024;81:789‒90), Okubadejo et al. raised concerns regarding two recent proposals for biological definitions and staging systems for synucleinopathies (the Neuronal Synuclein Disease Integrated Staging System and SynNeurGe system).

The direct and urinary electrolyte-mediated effects of ambient temperature on population blood pressure: A causal mediation analysis.

High ambient heat can directly influence blood pressure (BP) through the vasodilation of the skin vasculature and indirectly by affecting urinary volume and electrolyte levels. We evaluated the direct and urine electrolyte-mediated effects of ambient temperature on BP. We pooled 5,624 person-visit data from a community-based stepped-wedge randomized control trial in southwest coastal Bangladesh from December 2016 to May 2017.

Exploring the Human Health Impact of Artificial Turf Worldwide: A Systematic Review.

The growing use of artificial turf in place of natural turf in residential, recreational and commercial settings has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on human health. A systematic review of databases revealed 5673 articles of which, 30 were deemed eligible. Those performing total concentration analyses, bioaccessibility analyses or human health risk assessments (HHRAs) of artificial turf fibres or crumb rubber infill were of interest.

Faecal immunochemical tests for patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer: An updated systematic review and multiple-threshold meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

Aim: Extending faecal immunochemical tests for haemoglobin (FIT) to all primary care patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer (CRC) could identify people who are likely to benefit from colonoscopy and facilitate earlier treatment. The aim of this work was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of FIT across different analysers at different thresholds, as a single test or in duplicate (dual FIT).

Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis searched 10 sources (December 2022).

Dynamic changes and prognosis value of plasma syndecan-1 and different microcirculatory parameters in sepsis: A prospective observational study.

Background: Glycocalyx degradation is implicated in endothelial damage and microcirculatory dysfunction in sepsis, whereas the effectiveness of plasma syndecan-1 levels and sublingual microcirculatory parameters in evaluating sepsis's prognosis has not yet been determined. This study aims to track their dynamic changes and investigate the prognostic utility of these indexes in sepsis.

Methods: In this prospective study conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, blood samples were collected from adult surgical septic patients within 2 days after intensive care unit admission measuring plasma syndecan-1 concentrations.

Is Disease Stability an Attainable COPD Treatment Goal?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogenous lung condition characterized by progressive airflow obstruction. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the disease burden remains high; although clinical trials have shown improvements in outcomes such as exacerbations, quality of life, and lung function, improvement may not be attainable for many patients. For patients who do experience improvement, it is challenging to set management goals given the progressive nature of COPD.

Estimating and visualising multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses within a radial framework.

Background: Mendelian randomization (MR) is a statistical approach using genetic variants as instrumental variables to estimate causal effects of a single exposure on an outcome. Multivariable MR (MVMR) extends this to estimate the direct effect of multiple exposures simulatiously. MR and MVMR can be biased by the presence of pleiotropic genetic variants in the set used as instrumental variables, violating one of the core IV assumptions.

Detection and characterization of copy-number variants from exome sequencing in the DDD study.

Purpose: Structural variants such as multiexon deletions and duplications are an important cause of disease but are often overlooked in standard exome/genome sequencing analysis. We aimed to evaluate the detection of copy-number variants (CNVs) from exome sequencing (ES) in comparison with genome-wide low-resolution and exon-resolution chromosomal microarrays (CMAs) and to characterize the properties of de novo CNVs in a large clinical cohort.

Methods: We performed CNV detection using ES of 9859 parent-offspring trios in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) study and compared them with CNVs detected from exon-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization in 5197 probands from the DDD study.

Reply to: Is there a kindling effect in COPD exacerbations?

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Qualitative evaluation of my life today - A co-produced personal tool from the IDEAL programme to help people with dementia monitor valued aspects of their lives.

Self-management of chronic conditions can help individuals take control of their health, both improving well-being and reducing the burden on health and social care resources. This study explored the potential of our co-produced self-management tool, My Life Today (MLT), to help people with dementia identify, plan and monitor aspects of their lives that are important to them and that help to maintain or improve well-being. We asked people with dementia to try using MLT.

Insufficient structure and reporting of process evaluations of complex interventions for musculoskeletal conditions in randomised controlled trials: a systematic review.

Objectives: To explore how process evaluation of complex interventions alongside randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in musculoskeletal conditions are conducted.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases.

Navigating the coronavirus pandemic two years on: Experiences of carers of people with dementia from the British IDEAL cohort.

We explored carers experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in England to identify long-term impacts and implications, and to suggest future support for caregivers. Data were collected during COVID-19 rapid response studies (IDEAL-CDI; INCLUDE) from carers participating in a British longitudinal cohort study (IDEAL). Semi-structured interview data were compared to their accounts from previous interviews conducted during the first 18 months of the pandemic.

Lifting limitations following elbow arthroplasty: A survey of British Elbow and Shoulder Society members.

The primary aim of this survey was to capture current practice with regard to lifting limitations following elbow arthroplasty. An online survey was emailed to all members of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society. All consultant respondents who reported performing elbow arthroplasty were asked about their advice for post-operative lifting limitations.

Evaluation of a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis derived from a hypomethylated DNA signature of human motor neurons.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lacks a specific biomarker, but is defined by relatively selective toxicity to motor neurons (MN). As others have highlighted, this offers an opportunity to develop a sensitive and specific biomarker based on detection of DNA released from dying MN within accessible biofluids. Here we have performed whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of iPSC-derived MN from neurologically normal individuals.

The risk of childhood asthma across diverse climates: growing up in Australia.

This study investigates the association between climate and childhood asthma in Australia. Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) was used to analyse this association in children who were 6-15 years between 2004 and 2018. Asthma prevalence decreased from 16% at 6-7 years to 13% at 14-15 years.

Reviewing the Evidence Base for Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome in the Research Literature and Social Media Platforms: An Evidence Gap Map.

Background: Within the dermatological community, topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (TSWS) is a medically contested condition with a limited research base. Published studies on TSWS indicate that it is a distinct adverse effect of prolonged use of topical corticosteroids, but there is a paucity of high-quality research evidence. Among the "patient community," awareness has been increasing, with rapid growth in social media posts on TSWS and the introduction of online communities such as the International Topical Steroid Awareness Network.