Implementing Wells' criteria to improve deep vein thrombosis screening in housebound patients.

Background: Screening of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an NHS priority for improving community health service. Effective DVT screening and documentation improve patient outcomes, prevent prolonged hospitalisation and lead to fewer expenses. The lack of evidence of DVT screening in the community requires action.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Targeted therapies have been associated with potential risk of malignancy, which is a common concern in daily rheumatology practice in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a history of cancer.

Objectives: To perform a systematic literature review to inform a Task Force formulating EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with IA and a history of cancer.

Methods: Specific research questions were defined within the Task Force before formulating the exact research queries with a librarian.

2024 EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Potential associations between targeted therapies and a new cancer in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a previous malignancy are a frequent concern in daily rheumatology practice.

Objectives: To develop points to consider (PTC) to assist rheumatologists when initiating a targeted therapy in the context of a previous malignancy.

Methods: Following EULAR standardised operating procedures, a task force met to define the research questions for a systematic literature review and to formulate the overarching principles (OPs) and the PTC.

Effect of eccentric-based resistance exercise on bone (re)modelling markers across the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive cycle.

Purpose: To investigate the acute effects of eccentric-based resistance exercise and sex-hormone fluctuations on P1NP and β-CTX-1 concentrations in premenopausal females.

Methods: Nine eumenorrheic females and ten oral contraceptive (OC) users performed eccentric-based resistance exercise, consisted of 10 × 10 repetitions of parallel back squats with a 4-s eccentric phase, in the early-follicular (EFP), late-follicular (LFP) and mid-luteal (MLP) phases of the menstrual cycle (MC) or in the withdrawal (WP) and active pill-taking (APP) phases of the OC cycle.

Results: 17β-oestradiol (pg·ml) was lower in EFP (36.

Myocardial ischaemia following COVID-19: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

The pathophysiology of myocardial injury following COVID-19 remains uncertain. COVID-HEART was a prospective, multicentre study utilising cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to characterise COVID-related myocardial injury. In this pre-specified analysis, the objectives were to examine (1) the frequency of myocardial ischaemia following COVID-19, and (2) the association between ischaemia and myocardial injury.

The wrapped Rama distribution.

A new one-parameter distribution is proposed for circular data based on wrapping. Most distributions constructed via wrapping do not yield elementary expressions for their mathematical properties. Yet the new distribution yields elementary expressions for all of its mathematical properties.

Microscopic changes in the multifidus muscle in people with low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common degenerative condition causing low back pain (LBP) due to nerve compression. Previous studies show conflicting findings regarding the multifidus (MF) muscle's microscopic changes in LDH patients. So, this study aimed to compare the affected MF to the adjacent MF on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides in LDH patients and examined correlations with clinical features of LBP.

Laser scribed proton exchange membranes for enhanced fuel cell performance and stability.

High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) offer solutions to challenges intrinsic to low-temperature PEMFCs, such as complex water management, fuel inflexibility, and thermal integration. However, they are hindered by phosphoric acid (PA) leaching and catalyst migration, which destabilize the critical three-phase interface within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). This study presents an innovative approach to enhance HT-PEMFC performance through membrane modification using picosecond laser scribing, which optimises the three-phase interface by forming a graphene-like structure that mitigates PA leaching.

Brainstem BDNF neurons are downstream of GFRAL/GLP1R signalling.

Growth differentiation factor 15, GDF15, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues act through brainstem neurons that co-localise their receptors, GDNF-family receptor α-like (GFRAL) and GLP1R, to reduce food intake and body weight. However, their use as clinical treatments is partially hampered since both can also induce sickness-like behaviours, including aversion, that are mediated through a well-characterised pathway via the exterolateral parabrachial nucleus. Here, in mice, we describe a separate pathway downstream of GFRAL/GLP1R neurons that involves a distinct population of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) cells in the medial nucleus of the tractus solitarius.

Could Metamaterials be the Next Frontier of Catalysis?

Plasmonic catalysis, whereby either an optically resonating metal couples to a catalytic material or a catalytic metal particle achieves optical resonance, has been a mainstay of photo-catalysis research for the past few decades. However, a new field of metal-dielectric metamaterials, including plasmonic metamaterials, is emerging as the next frontier in catalysis research. With new optical behaviors that can be achieved by sub-wavelength structures, in either periodic or semi-periodic arrangements, metamaterials can overcome some of the limitations of conventional plasmonic catalysis.

Genetically encoded biosensors for the circular plastics bioeconomy.

Current plastic production and consumption routes are unsustainable due to impact upon climate change and pollution, and therefore reform across the entire value chain is required. Biotechnology offers solutions for production from renewable feedstocks, and to aid end of life recycling/upcycling of plastics. Biology sequence/design space is complex requiring high-throughput analytical methods to facilitate the iterative optimisation, design-build, test-learn (DBTL), cycle of Synthetic Biology.

Fatigue, pain and faecal incontinence in adult inflammatory bowel disease patients and the unmet need: a national cross-sectional survey.

Background And Aims: The co-existence of fatigue, pain and faecal incontinence in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is unknown. We aimed to determine the presence of and relationship between these symptoms and patients' desire for intervention.

Methods: Adults with IBD in the UK, recruited from clinics, the national IBD-BioResource, a patient charity and social media sources, completed PROMIS validated patient-reported questionnaires to identify fatigue, pain and faecal incontinence, in addition to symptom severity and impact, disease activity, anxiety and depression questionnaires and questions about their desire for help with these symptoms.

Uncontrolled Diabetes is a Strong Predictor of Amputation in End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy remains a strong risk factor for chronic kidney disease progression. Hemoglobin A1C (HBA1C) has historically been used as a marker for complications related to diabetes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between HBA1C and clinical complications in a patient population with end stage renal disease.

Total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in Myanmar rice.

Myanmar is a major rice exporter. Rice is an important source of nourishment for its population. However, rice can be contaminated with toxic elements, including arsenic, long-term exposure to which has been linked to several illnesses, including cancer.

Salvage Total Hip Replacement for Failed Proximal Femoral Fracture Fixation.

Introduction: Salvage arthroplasty for failed proximal femoral fracture fixation is a complex procedure. This involves the removal of the primary failed or broken implant followed by a hip joint replacement procedure. The complications and technical difficulties associated with these surgeries are often difficult to anticipate.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in African Patients: A Systematic Review.

Pulmonary embolism is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Numerous risk factors have been identified that predispose patients to this disease. This study aims to identify these risk factors and the possible outcomes (recovery or mortality) after receiving treatment from any hospital.

Paradoxical coronary embolism in Erdheim-Chester disease: invasive assessment and multidisciplinary management.

We report a case of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in a 36-year-old man with Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD). Multimodality assessment revealed acute coronary thrombus with simultaneous recurrent pulmonary embolism in spite of compliance with a direct oral anticoagulant. Prior case reports of acute myocardial infarction in this population have not outlined the role of catheter based intravascular assessment and treatment in this rare clinical entity.

A review of clopidogrel resistance in lower extremity arterial disease.

Objective: Lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is a prevalent condition that produces a significant burden on health care systems. Patients with LEAD have an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events as well as major adverse limb events. Despite significant variation in guidance on antiplatelet therapy for LEAD worldwide, many governing bodies recommend clopidogrel as the preferred single anti-platelet agent.

Polygenic score distribution differences across European ancestry populations: implications for breast cancer risk prediction.

Background: The 313-variant polygenic risk score (PRS) provides a promising tool for clinical breast cancer risk prediction. However, evaluation of the PRS across different European populations which could influence risk estimation has not been performed.

Methods: We explored the distribution of PRS across European populations using genotype data from 94,072 females without breast cancer diagnosis, of European-ancestry from 21 countries participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and 223,316 females without breast cancer diagnosis from the UK Biobank.

Bullying, Harassment, and Undermining Behaviour in Cardiothoracic Surgery in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Background: Bullying, harassment, and undermining behaviour has a profound detrimental effect on the multi-professional team, patient safety, and clinical outcomes. Bullying creates a poor working and training environment , increasing stress, damaging confidence, and impairing wellbeing. We sought to characterize the prevalence and nature of bullying, harassment and undermining within cardiothoracic surgery in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose tolvaptan (7.5mg) in the treatment of inpatient hyponatraemia: a retrospective study.

Objectives: The recommended dose of tolvaptan for hyponatraemia secondary to SIADH is 15mg. We evaluated the efficacy of an initial 7.5mg dose and determined the frequency where sodium (Na+) correction exceeded safe limits, defined as an increment of ≥10 mmol/L, within the initial 8 or 24 hours of administration.