A new approach for assessing the radioecological risk associated with the legacy discharge of oil derived natural radioactivity in the UK North Sea.

Although oil and gas (O&G) derived produced waters and drill cuttings are known to contain enhanced levels of naturally occurring radium-228 (Ra) and radium-226 (Ra), most relevant ecological impact assessments have excluded radiological hazards and focus on other important contaminants, such as hydrocarbons and metals. Also, due to restricted access to the delimiting safety zone around operational O&G platforms, the few previous radioecological risk assessment studies have been conducted using seawater samples collected far from the main discharge point and applying default dilution and transfer factors to estimate concentrations of contaminants in biota. In this case study, sediment cores were collected close to a former O&G platform, Northwest Hutton (NWH), that used to be in the UK North Sea (61.

"My body is amazing from the bottom to the top" - An RCT study testing two positive body image media micro-interventions for young children aged 4-6 years.

This study presents a fully powered RCT testing the effectiveness and acceptability of two positive body image online media-based micro-interventions designed for young children. A total of 439 children aged 4-6 years were randomised into one of four conditions: i) episode intervention, ii) episode control, iii) music video intervention, or iv) music video control. Children and their accompanying parent attended two data collection sessions, approximately a week apart.

Treatment Utilisation and Satisfaction With Management in Individuals With Osteoarthritis and Metabolic Multimorbidity: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Country Study.

Purpose: To compare treatment utilisation for osteoarthritis (OA) and satisfaction with OA management between individuals with and without comorbid metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension).

What are family caregivers' experiences of coordinating end-of-life care at home? A narrative review.

Objectives: People with life-limiting diseases, who are no longer receiving active or curable treatment, often state their preferred place of care and death as the home. This requires coordinating a multidisciplinary approach, using available health and social care services to synchronize care. Family caregivers are key to enabling home-based end-of-life support; however, the 2 elements that facilitate success - coordination and family caregiver - are not necessarily associated as being intertwined or one and the same.

Impact of a Long-Term Home-Based Rehabilitation Program on Quality of Life, Balance, and Autonomy in Adults with Disabilities.

Background: Rehabilitation is a critical process for enhancing functionality, independence, and quality of life in individuals with disabilities. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, it addresses physical, emotional, and social dimensions through personalized, evidence-based interventions. By integrating standardized assessments and continuous evaluation, rehabilitation has the potential to promote recovery and support active participation in society.

, a group-based online intervention for women treated for breast cancer: study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. While increasing numbers of women are living beyond breast cancer, treatment-related body image concerns are common and associated with adverse consequences. Nonetheless, rigorously evaluated and effective body image interventions are lacking among this group.

Serotonergic Mechanisms in Proteinoid-Based Protocells.

This study examines the effects of incorporating serotonin (5-HT) into proteinoid microspheres. It looks at the microspheres' structure and electrochemical properties. Proteinoid-serotonin assemblies have better symmetry and membrane organization than pristine proteinoids.

Theoretical evaluation of the biological activity of hydrogen.

Hydrogen (H2), the simplest and most ubiquitous molecule in the universe, has garnered significant scientific interest over the past two decades because of its potential as an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Traditionally considered inert, H2 is now being re-evaluated for its unique bioactive properties. H2 selectively neutralizes reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, mitigating oxidative stress without disrupting essential cellular functions.

Identifying people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis in primary care: qualitative study.

Background: Identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in primary care is challenging and often delayed. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody testing of people presenting to primary care with new-onset musculoskeletal symptoms without synovitis could help address this; those testing positive are at increased risk of developing RA.

Aim: To explore how primary care clinicians currently identify and refer patients with suspected RA, and the behaviours required to implement a prediction model for guiding targeted anti-CCP testing for non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms in primary care.

Frailism: a scoping review exploring discrimination against people living with frailty.

People living with frailty can experience discrimination, but unlike the characteristics of age and disability, frailty is not protected by law. Frailty is a clinical syndrome associated with ageing in which health deficits increase a person's vulnerability to illness, disability, and death. This scoping review, conducted by a team of methodologists, clinicians, lawyers, and patients, aimed to investigate the extent of discrimination against people living with frailty described in health-care literature.

Do We Have Sufficient Evidence to Derive Innovative Approaches to Assessing Unmet Need, Delivering Education on Bladder and Bowel Continence Health, and Providing a Better Environment for Joint Decision-Making? ICI-RS 2024.

Context: Improved continence outcomes are reliant on identification of unmet need, education delivery, and shared decision-making. The evidence base on which to derive innovative approaches in these areas was unclear.

Methods: A debate held at the International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society meeting, held in Bristol in June 2024, considered ways to improve research requirements to advance these areas.

Hypoxia Compromises the Differentiation of Human Osteosarcoma Cells to CAR-R, a Hydroxylated Derivative of Lithocholic Acid and Potent Agonist of the Vitamin D Receptor.

The active metabolite of vitamin D3, calcitriol (1,25D), is widely recognised for its direct anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation effects. However, 1,25D is calcaemic, which restricts its clinical use for cancer treatment. Non-calcaemic agonists of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) could be better candidates for cancer treatment.

Complex and Bidirectional Interplay Between Marital Quality, Catastrophizing, Psychological Dysfunction, and Quality of Life in Married Malay Women With Disorder of Gut-Brain Interactions.

Background: Disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI) affect more women, and marital quality may have been a factor that explains clinical manifestations of DGBI-however, the mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to elucidate supported relationships between DGBI with marital quality and clinical attributes in married Malay women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved married Malay women with functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and FD-IBS overlap per Rome IV criteria.

Capacity and Capability for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Principal Investigator Roles in Healthcare Research: A National Survey.

Aims: To understand the current capacity and capability for nursing, midwifery and allied health professional (NMAHP) principal investigator roles in England.

Design: Quantitative online survey.

Methods: Online national quantitative survey across England analysed using descriptive statistics.

Chondroitin Sulfate and Proteinoids in Neuron Models.

This study examines the relationship between chondroitin sulfate, proteinoids, and computational neuron models, with a specific emphasis on the Izhikevich neuron model. We investigate the effect of chondroitin sulfate-proteinoid complexes on the behavior and dynamics of simulated neurons. Through the use of computational simulations, we provide evidence that these biomolecular components have the power to regulate the responsiveness of neurons, the patterns of their firing, and the ability of their synapses to change within the Izhikevich architecture.

Maternal iron deficiency assessed by serum ferritin and birth outcomes in mainland China.

Iron deficiency is prevalent among pregnant women because of the increased maternal iron requirements. Uncorrected maternal iron deficiency can lead to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess serum ferritin concentration and prevalence of iron deficiency among pregnant women in Jiangsu, China.

Sexual Health, Pleasure, Justice, and Well-Being in People With Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Scoping Review Protocol.

Introduction: Sexual health, pleasure, justice (equity in sexual rights and experiences), and well-being are crucial determinants of health and life quality, yet often overlooked in the rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) field. However, this topic has received more attention recently, and there is a need to map the current literature to inform the direction of future studies. Hence, this protocol outlines a scoping review to systematically map existing evidence on sexual health in people with RMD, exploring key themes and identifying evidence gaps across multiple dimensions, including sexual well-being, justice and pleasure.

Optical Recognition of the English Alphabet Using Proteinoids.

We introduce a new abiotic-protein-based substrate for identifying English alphabet characters optically using proteinoids. Proteinoids, which are amino acid polymers produced under thermal stress conditions, have demonstrated promise as materials that are compatible with living organisms and can be used in a wide range of applications. We explore the potential of using proteinoids for the optical stimulation and detection of English alphabet characters.

Skin shade and relationships: how colourism pits Black and mixed Black-White women against each other.

Introduction: Colourism, prejudice where people are penalised the darker their skin and the further their features are from those associated with whiteness, occurs within and between racialised groups and can affect relationships. In this paper we examine the complex processes through which colourism positions Black and mixed Black-White women in contrasting positions in beauty and desirability hierarchies based on their skin shade.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 Black ( = 18) or mixed Black-White ( = 9) adults (18 women, 9 men) living in Britain.

Janus-kinase inhibitor use in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases beyond licensed indications: A scoping review.

Introduction: The use of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) beyond licence is expanding rapidly. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and present the available evidence on the efficacy of JAKis in all conditions without marketing authorisation.

Methods: Through a systematic literature search we identified studies including 5 or more patients that assessed the use of any JAKi for any efficacy outcome.

Functionality appreciation in young children.

In recognition of a need to better understand children's body image, this study aimed to explore how young children describe what they appreciate about their body functionality. A total of 381 British children aged four to six years old were interviewed in a brief play-based session. We looked at the absolute number of responses children gave when asked to list all the amazing things they could do with their bodies as well as the range of responses across body functionality domains using a coding rubric.

Enhanced heart sound classification using Mel frequency cepstral coefficients and comparative analysis of single vs. ensemble classifier strategies.

This paper seeks to enhance the performance of Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) for detecting abnormal heart sounds. Heart sounds are first pre-processed to remove noise and then segmented into S1, systole, S2, and diastole intervals, with thirteen MFCCs estimated from each segment, yielding 52 MFCCs per beat. Finally, MFCCs are used for heart sound classification.

Deep reinforcement learning and fuzzy logic controller codesign for energy management of hydrogen fuel cell powered electric vehicles.

Hydrogen-based electric vehicles such as Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCHEVs) play an important role in producing zero carbon emissions and in reducing the pressure from the fuel economy crisis, simultaneously. This paper aims to address the energy management design for various performance metrics, such as power tracking and system accuracy, fuel cell lifetime, battery lifetime, and reduction of transient and peak current on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and Li-ion batteries. The proposed algorithm includes a combination of reinforcement learning algorithms in low-level control loops and high-level supervisory control based on fuzzy logic load sharing, which is implemented in the system under consideration.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: microRNA Takes Center Stage.

The Journal Editorial Board Members would like to congratulate Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, who were jointly awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs and the role of microRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation, uncovering a previously unknown layer of gene control in eukaryotes [...