A commissioning protocol for portal imaging-based radiotherapy in vivo dosimetry systems.

Background And Purpose: With the availability of commercial electronic portal imaging detector-based in vivo dosimetry (EPID-based IVD) solutions, many radiotherapy departments are adopting this technology. However, comprehensive commissioning guidance is lacking. This study aims to provide a protocol for testing the accuracy and sensitivity of EPID-based IVD systems.

Newcastle disease virus infection induces parthanatos in tumor cells via calcium waves.

Parthanatos is distinct from caspase-dependent apoptosis in that it does not necessitate the activation of caspase cascades; Instead, it relies on the translocation of Apoptosis-inducing Factor (AIF) from the mitochondria to the nucleus, resulting in nuclear DNA fragmentation. Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is an oncolytic virus that selectively targets and kills tumor cells by inducing cell apoptosis. It has been reported that NDV triggers classic apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.

Understanding the underestimation of self-report weight: The roles of narcissism and accountability.

Self-reported height and weight is widely used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and yet little is known about factors that affect accuracy. This study investigated the motivational characteristics-narcissism and social desirability-that influence the accuracy of self-reported weight and how they interact with accountability (telling participants that their weight will be verified). A two-way between-subjects design was used (accountable vs not accountable) with motivational moderators (narcissism and social desirability).

How does language modulate the association between number and space? A registered report of a cross-cultural study of the spatial-numerical association of response codes effect.

Past investigations into the connection between space and numbers have revealed its potential vulnerability to external influences such as cultural factors, including language. This study aims to examine whether language moderates the association between space and number in the spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect, which is demonstrated in an interaction between number magnitude and response side. The SNARC effect has been observed across various stimuli.

Short-term changes in human metabolism following a 5-h delay of the light-dark and behavioral cycle.

Experimental inversion of circadian and behavioral rhythms by 12 h adversely affects markers of metabolic health. We investigated the effects of a more modest 5-h delay in behavioral cycles. Fourteen participants completed an 8-day in-patient laboratory protocol, with controlled sleep-wake opportunities, light-dark cycles, and diet.

Notes on (Convolvulaceae) from Ecuador.

Fieldwork, examination of herbarium specimens and photographic images, supported by molecular sequencing have resulted in the re-interpretation of a number of species of L. found in Ecuador and the recognition of four new species. Standl.

Outdoor health intervention for refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers: A mixed-methods pilot study.

Despite the multifaceted and diverse challenges that refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers experience when entering a new country, they remain notably underrepresented in the evaluation and understanding of the health and wellbeing impacts of outdoor health interventions. We addressed this knowledge gap by a mixed-methods evaluation (questionnaires, focus groups and photo elicitation activity) facilitated by a community researcher. Qualitative data (focus groups and photo elicitation activity) revealed that the participants saw the social component of outdoor activities as a critical factor in improving their wellbeing, an insight not captured by established quantitative wellbeing scales.

A function-based mapping of sensory integration along the cortical hierarchy.

Sensory information mainly travels along a hierarchy spanning unimodal to transmodal regions, forming multisensory integrative representations crucial for higher-order cognitive functions. Here, we develop an fMRI based two-dimensional framework to characterize sensory integration based on the anchoring role of the primary cortex in the organization of sensory processing. Sensory magnitude captures the percentage of variance explained by three primary sensory signals and decreases as the hierarchy ascends, exhibiting strong similarity to the known hierarchy and high stability across different conditions.

Developing and testing a toolkit of interventions to improve adherence to non-invasive ventilation in children: the SPIRITUS study protocol.

Introduction: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a known effective and safe treatment for children and young people with sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Adherence can be challenging and poor adherence risks undertreatment of SDB. While the risk factors for non-adherence have been widely reported, very few interventions have been tested in any capacity to address barriers to adherence.

Exploring the journey to genomic testing and genetic services: A qualitative study of parental perspectives of children with rare conditions.

Despite affecting a small portion of the population, rare conditions have a significant impact, collectively affecting around 300 million people worldwide. Historically, early diagnosis has been impeded by failure to recognize rare conditions and order/refer for appropriate genomic testing. The advancements in genome sequencing offer a more agnostic and accelerated approach to the identification and diagnosis of rare disorders, potentially improving health outcomes, reducing the impact of disability, and reducing financial and psychological burdens on families.

Perceptual Experiences of Autistic People With an Intellectual Disability and People With Williams Syndrome: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Background: Autistic people without intellectual disabilities have increased perceptual capacity: they can process more information at any given time compared to non-autistic people. We examined whether increased perceptual capacity is evident across the autistic spectrum (i.e.

Establishing Effective Patient Engagement Through a Terms of Reference to Foster Inclusivity and Empowerment in Research: Example From a Healthcare Transition Quality Indicators Project.

Introduction: Patient engagement in research aims to foster meaningful partnerships, integrating patient experiences into the research process. This paper describes the development of a Terms of Reference (ToR) to support these meaningful partnerships. While engagement improves data collection and empowerment, ineffective engagement can lead to negative outcomes.

Routine use of patient-reported experience and outcome measures for children and young people: a scoping review.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) measure people's views of their health status whereas patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are questionnaires measuring perceptions of their experience whilst receiving healthcare. PROMs/PREMs have the potential to enable children and young people (CYP) to be involved in decisions about their care and improve the quality of their care but it is not clear how often PROMs/PREMs are incorporated as part of standard care of CYP in the hospital setting. The aims of this scoping review were to understand the extent of the literature and map available evidence on the use, benefits, barriers and facilitators of PROMs/PREMs as part of standard care and treatment of CYP in hospitals.

Diversity, community engagement and co-design in research: a rapid review.

There is increasing recognition in the field of health and social care research that community-engaged methods should include patients and the public throughout the research process. Therefore, individuals from all backgrounds should be involved in the research. We explored the public and patient engagement experience in research and how researchers and community groups can work together to make the research process more inclusive and sustainable.

Face mask use and viral load in patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19.

Objective: Previous studies indicated that face masks reduce the probability of infection by SARS-CoV-2 but did not examine the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and mask usage. This study analyzed this relationship.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated patients admitted to a public Emergency Care Unit in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, between October 2020 and March 2021.