The British Geriatrics Society's position on assisted dying.

In response to increased focus on the issue of Assisted Dying (AD) in the UK due to the presentation of The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 [1] and bills before parliaments in the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Scotland, the British Geriatric Society (BGS) recently developed a position statement opposing legalisation of AD in the UK [2]. We set out our key reasoning behind this position, namely the current adverse health and social care context and significant concern about whether effective safeguards can be created to protect older people with complex needs from undue harms. The BGS asks for improved, personalised, multidisciplinary care for older people at the end of their lives, including high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with a more severe interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis in the EUSTAR cohort.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and could predict progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD). We aimed to analyse (1) the prevalence of GERD among SSc-ILD patients, (2) its association with disease characteristics and (3) predictive factors for ILD progression in SSc-ILD patients with GERD.

Methods: SSc patients from the EUSTAR database with ILD were included.

SPEED (SPlEnic Embolisation Decisions) study-Decision to treat acute traumatic splenic artery injury in the context of trauma protocol.

Background: The spleen is commonly injured in trauma and this may be managed with a conservative approach, embolisation or splenectomy. There is uncertainty how splenic embolisation fits into the treatment paradigm and the delivery of IR services remains variable.

Aims And Objectives: The primary objectives are to determine if service design significantly affects splenic embolisation (SE) rates in AAST grade 2-5 acute traumatic splenic injuries (ATSI) across the Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) in England and to determine if variation in treatment affects SE outcomes in ATSI.

Post-concussion symptom burden and dynamics: Insights from a digital health intervention and machine learning.

Individuals who sustain a concussion can experience a range of symptoms which can significantly impact their quality of life and functional outcome. This study aims to understand the nature and recovery trajectories of post-concussion symptomatology by applying an unsupervised machine learning approach to data captured from a digital health intervention (HeadOn). As part of the 35-day program, patients complete a daily symptom diary which rates 8 post-concussion symptoms.

Using the Behaviour Change Wheel to develop an intervention to improve conversations about recovery on the stroke unit.

Background: Understanding recovery is important for patients with stroke and their families, including how much recovery is expected and how long it might take. These conversations can however be uncomfortable for stroke unit staff, particularly when they involve breaking bad news. This study aimed to begin development of a novel complex intervention to improve conversations about recovery on stroke units.

Intestinal icrobiota Transplant Prior to llogeneic tem Cell ransplant (MAST) trial: study protocol for a multicentre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase IIa trial.

Introduction: Lower diversity of the gut microbiome prior to allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) correlates with reduced survival after the intervention. Most patients undergoing HCT for a haematological malignancy have previously received intensive chemotherapy, resulting in prolonged neutropenic episodes requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics; use of these has been linked to reduced microbiome diversity. Intestinal microbiota transplant (IMT) is a novel treatment approach that restores this diversity.

Taking a partnership approach to embed physical activity in local policy and practice: a Bradford District case study.

Background: Supportive policy is an important component of a whole-systems approach to increasing physical activity and reducing inequalities. There is a growing body of literature surrounding the design and effectiveness of national policy approaches to physical activity, but evidence related to local-level approaches is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine 'what works', and identify factors underpinning change, focused on work to embed physical activity in local policy and practice in Bradford, UK.

CLP-Net: an advanced artificial intelligence technique for localizing standard planes of cleft lip and palate by three-dimensional ultrasound in the first trimester.

Background: Early diagnosis of cleft lip and palate (CLP) requires a multiplane examination, demanding high technical proficiency from radiologists. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate the first artificial intelligence (AI)-based model (CLP-Net) for fully automated multi-plane localization in three-dimensional(3D) ultrasound during the first trimester.

Methods: This retrospective study included 418 (394 normal, 24 CLP) 3D ultrasound from 288 pregnant woman between July 2022 to October 2024 from Shenzhen Guangming District People's Hospital during the 11-13 weeks of pregnancy.

Perianastomotic pH Monitoring for Early Detection of Anastomotic Leaks in Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Anastomotic leak (AL) represents a significant complication following gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. pH monitoring has emerged as a potential diagnostic tool for the early detection of AL, but its effectiveness and clinical utility remain to be fully elucidated. This review aims to summarise the evidence regarding perianastomotic pH monitoring for AL detection.

Role of the stratosphere in the global mercury cycle.

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant with substantial risks to human and ecosystem health. By upward transport in tropical regions, mercury enters into the stratosphere, but the contribution of the stratosphere to global mercury dispersion and deposition remains unknown. We find that between 5 and 50% (passing through the 400-kelvin isentropic surface and tropopause, respectively) of the mercury mass deposited on Earth's surface is chemically processed in the lower stratosphere.

A Time-Frequency-Based Data-Driven Approach for Structural Damage Identification and Its Application to a Cable-Stayed Bridge Specimen.

Structural damage identification based on structural health monitoring (SHM) data and machine learning (ML) is currently a rapidly developing research area in structural engineering. Traditional machine learning techniques rely heavily on feature extraction, where weak feature extraction can lead to suboptimal features and poor classification performance. In contrast, ML-based methods, particularly deep learning approaches like convolutional neural networks (CNNs), automatically extract relevant features from raw data, improving the accuracy and adaptability of the damage identification process.

Comparison of Mean Values and Entropy in Accelerometry Time Series from Two Microtechnology Sensors Recorded at 100 vs. 1000 Hz During Cumulative Tackles in Young Elite Rugby League Players.

Several microtechnology devices quantify the external load of team sports using Global Positioning Systems sampling at 5, 10, or 15 Hz. However, for short, explosive actions, such as collisions, these sample rates may be limiting. It is known that very high-frequency sampling is capable of capturing changes in actions over a short period of time.

Synthetic Imaging Radar Data Generation in Various Clutter Environments Using Novel UWB Log-Periodic Antenna.

In short-range microwave imaging, the collection of data in real environments for the purpose of developing techniques for target detection is very cumbersome. Simultaneously, to develop effective and efficient AI/ML-based techniques for target detection, a sufficiently large dataset is required. Therefore, to complement labor-intensive and tedious experimental data collected in a real cluttered environment, synthetic data generation via cost-efficient electromagnetic wave propagation simulations is explored in this article.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Elderberries on Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Immunity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/objectives: Dry eye disease (DED) significantly impairs quality of life, affecting physical, social, and psychological well-being, as well as reducing workplace productivity. While lutein and zeaxanthin supplements have been shown to improve ocular health, existing research often overlooks the efficacy of lower dosages and shorter durations of supplementation. This study investigated the effects of combined supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and elderberries in 110 voluntary participants through a randomized controlled trial.

Exploring Partners' Part in Shaping the Home Food Environment During the Transition to Fatherhood.

Objective: To investigate primiparous women's partners for knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the physical home food environment (PHFE), and to assess if the first pregnancy provides a teachable opportunity to enhance the PHFE of first-time pregnant couples.

Design: This was a two-phase longitudinal in-depth qualitative study involving questionnaires and individual interviews during and after pregnancy.

Participants: Fifteen male partners of primigravida women.

Genetic Risk of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Second-Line Therapy Need in Crohn's Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Crohn's disease (CD) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) are chronic conditions with overlapping inflammatory pathways. This research investigates the genetic association between AS and the requirement for more aggressive therapeutic interventions in CD, suggesting a likelihood of increased severity in CD progression among individuals diagnosed with AS. This study utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) to analyze GWAS datasets for AS and CD requiring second-line treatment.

α-Synuclein Deletion Impairs Platelet Function: A Role for SNARE Complex Assembly.

Granule secretion is an essential platelet function that contributes not only to haemostasis but also to wound healing, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Granule secretion from platelets is facilitated, at least in part, by Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor (NSF) Attachment Protein Receptor (SNARE) complex-mediated granule fusion. Although α-synuclein is a protein known to modulate the assembly of the SNARE complex in other cells, its role in platelet function remains poorly understood.

Domestic Use of E-Cargo Bikes and Other E-Micromobility: Protocol for a Multi-Centre, Mixed Methods Study.

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Climate change is now regarded as the biggest threat to global public health. Electric micromobility (e-micromobility, including e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, and e-scooters) has the potential to simultaneously increase people's overall physical activity while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions where it substitutes for motorised transport.

The Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury and the Risk of Cognitive Decline: An Umbrella Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is currently increasing interest in the implication of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a potential risk factor for long-term neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this context, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between TBI and the risk of dementia.

Methods: A systematic search was performed across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, to identify relevant meta-analyses and cohort studies.

Effects of Dietary Bromide, Magnesium and Tryptophan and Immunocastration on Growth Performance and Behaviour of Entire Male Pigs.

The growth of boars may be inhibited because of aggressive and/or sexual activity. Dietary Br, Mg and tryptophan (Trp) as well as immunocastration may reduce these behaviours. In Experiment 1, 200 boars and 40 barrows were allocated to six groups of four pens of 10 pigs per treatment.

Enhancing oncolytic virotherapy by extracellular vesicle mediated microRNA reprograming of the tumour microenvironment.

Background: There has been limited success of cancer immunotherapies in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OvCa) to date, largely due to the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a major component of both the primary tumour and malignant ascites, promoting tumour growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression. Differential microRNA (miRNA) profiles have been implicated in the plasticity of TAMs.

The experiences of attending an international veteran sporting competition and preparatory camp for Team Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

Introduction: This article offers unique insight into Team Ukraine's experiences of attending an international sporting event for veterans living with disability and injured active-duty personnel (the United States' Department of Defense Warrior Games, "The Games") and a 5-week preparatory camp in the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods: A survey gathered qualitative data at three time points: during the second and final week of training camp, and the in the two weeks immediately following participation at The Games. Forty-four out of 55 members of Team Ukraine (including veterans, active-duty personnel, support staff, and family members) provided responses in Survey 1, 20 in Survey 2, and 18 in Survey 3.

Emotional Eating Interventions for Adults Living With Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Behaviour Change Techniques.

Background: Emotional eating (EE) is a barrier to the long-term success of weight loss interventions. Psychological interventions targeting EE have been shown to reduce EE scores and weight (kg), though the mechanisms remain unclear. This review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the specific behaviour change techniques (BCTs) associated with improved outcomes.

Joint EANM/EANO/RANO/SNMMI practice guideline/procedure standard for PET imaging of brain metastases: version 1.0.

This joint practice guideline/procedure standard was collaboratively developed by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO), and the PET task force of the Response Assessment in Neurooncology Working Group (PET/RANO). Brain metastases are the most common malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors. PET imaging with radiolabeled amino acids and to lesser extent [F]FDG has gained considerable importance in the assessment of brain metastases, especially for the differential diagnosis between recurrent metastases and treatment-related changes which remains a limitation using conventional MRI.