The acceptability of overdose alert and response technologies: introducing the TPOM-ODART framework.

Background: Opioids were implicated in approximately 88,000 fatal overdoses (OD) globally. However, in principle all opioid OD are reversible with the timely administration of naloxone hydrochloride. Despite the widespread availability of naloxone among people who use opioids (PWUO), many who suffer fatal OD use alone, without others present to administer the reversal agent.

Technology-enhanced learning in orthopaedics: Virtual reality and multi-modality educational workshops may be effective in the training of surgeons and operating department staff.

Aim: The aims were to assess the utility of: 1) virtual reality-mediated simulation, and 2) a multi-modality 'Bootcamp' in the delivery of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) teaching to orthopaedic surgical trainees.

Background: Surgical training opportunities are diminished as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which may result in delays to training completion and gaps in the permanent workforce. Modern and technology-enhanced learning methods have been identified as having the potential to support high-quality and sustainable education.

Toxicity related to standard TB therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis and treatment outcomes in the REMoxTB study according to HIV status.

Background: The phase III REMoxTB study prospectively enrolled HIV-positive (with CD4+ count > 250 cells, not on anti-retroviral therapy) and HIV-negative patients. We investigated the incidence of adverse events and cure rates according to HIV status for patients receiving standard TB therapy in the trial.

Methods: Forty-two HIV-positive cases were matched to 220 HIV-negative controls by age, gender, ethnicity, and trial site using coarsened exact matching.

Toxicity associated with tuberculosis chemotherapy in the REMoxTB study.

Background: The incidence and severity of tuberculosis chemotherapy toxicity is poorly characterised. We used data available from patients in the REMoxTB trial to provide an assessment of the risks associated with the standard regimen and two experimental regimens containing moxifloxacin.

Methods: All grade 3 & 4 adverse events (AEs) and their relationship to treatment for patients who had taken at least one dose of therapy in the REMoxTB clinical trial were recorded.

Liver toxicity associated with tuberculosis chemotherapy in the REMoxTB study.

Background: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common complication of tuberculosis treatment. We utilised data from the REMoxTB clinical trial to describe the incidence of predisposing factors and the natural history in patients with liver enzyme levels elevated in response to tuberculosis treatment.

Methods: Patients received either standard tuberculosis treatment (2EHRZ/4HR), or a 4-month regimen in which moxifloxacin replaced either ethambutol (isoniazid arm, 2MHRZ/2MHR) or isoniazid (ethambutol arm, 2EMRZ/2MR).

New synthetic lipid antigens for rapid serological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Background: During pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) antibodies are generated to trehalose esters of mycolic acids which are cell wall lipids of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Attempts have been made to use these complex natural mixtures in serological tests for PTB diagnosis.

Aim: The aim of this work was to determine whether a serological test based on a panel of defined individual trehalose esters of characteristic synthetic mycolic acids has improved diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing patients with culture positive PTB from individuals who were Mtb culture negative.

Using the simplified case mix tool (sCMT) to identify cost in special care dental services to support commissioning.

Unlabelled: To commission dental services for vulnerable (special care) patient groups effectively, consistently and fairly an evidence base is needed of the costs involved. The simplified Case Mixed Tool (sCMT) can assess treatment mode complexity for these patient groups.

Objective: To determine if the sCMT can be used to identify costs of service provision.

Increasing body fat mass reverses bone loss in osteopenia as detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans.

Objective: Low body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for osteoporosis and is part of the FRAX™ 10-year fracture risk stratification tool for predicting fragility fractures. Little is known regarding the effects of changing body composition on bone mineral density (BMD). However, increasing fat mass (FM) improves BMD in young women with anorexia nervosa.

Factors Underlying Ebola Virus Infection Among Health Workers, Kenema, Sierra Leone, 2014-2015.

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) in health workers (HWs) has been a major challenge during the 2014-2015 outbreak. We examined factors associated with Ebola virus exposure and mortality in HWs in Kenema District, Sierra Leone.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Sierra Leone National Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Database, contact tracing records, Kenema Government Hospital (KGH) staff and Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) rosters, and burial logs.

Open access for operational research publications from low- and middle-income countries: who pays?

Open-access journal publications aim to ensure that new knowledge is widely disseminated and made freely accessible in a timely manner so that it can be used to improve people's health, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries. In this paper, we briefly explain the differences between closed- and open-access journals, including the evolving idea of the 'open-access spectrum'. We highlight the potential benefits of supporting open access for operational research, and discuss the conundrum and ways forward as regards who pays for open access.

Management of multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in Ukraine: how well are we doing?

Setting: A tertiary care facility in Ukraine, a high multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/XDR-TB) burden country.

Objectives: To assess the management and treatment outcomes of MDR, pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB.

Design: Cohort study using programme data, 2006-2011.

Pattern of primary tuberculosis drug resistance and associated treatment outcomes in Transnistria, Moldova.

This cohort study assessed drug susceptibility testing (DST) patterns and associated treatment outcomes from Transnistria, Moldova, from 2009 to 2012. Of 1089 newly registered tuberculosis (TB) patients with available DST results, 556 (51%) had some form of drug resistance, while 369 (34%) had multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). There were four cases of extensively drug-resistant TB.

Performance of decentralised facilities in tuberculosis case notification and treatment success in Armenia.

We assessed the performance of decentralised tuberculosis (TB) out-patient centres in tuberculosis (TB) case notification and treatment success in Armenia. An average threshold case notification of ⩾37/100 000 was seen in centres that had higher numbers of presumptive TB patients, where more TB was diagnosed by in-patient facilities and where TB contacts were examined. The number of doctors and/or TB specialists at centres did not influence case notification.

Four-month moxifloxacin-based regimens for drug-sensitive tuberculosis.

Background: Early-phase and preclinical studies suggest that moxifloxacin-containing regimens could allow for effective 4-month treatment of uncomplicated, smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial to test the noninferiority of two moxifloxacin-containing regimens as compared with a control regimen. One group of patients received isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for 8 weeks, followed by 18 weeks of isoniazid and rifampin (control group).

Can text messaging be used as an effective method for collecting quality and detailed evaluation data from students on clinical placements?

Background: Collecting timely evaluation from students on their clinical placements for quality assurance purposes is challenging. Prompt responses can help placement organisers improve the experience for the next cohort of students.

Aims: This paper examines the success and limitations of using text messages to collect anonymous, instant, and detailed evaluation from students on clinical placements.