Assessing the content validity of patient reported outcome measure item pool for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity using cognitive interviews.

Objectives: Using Rasch measurement theory, an item pool of 12 questions has been identified, covering tenderness and swelling, disease activity, pain, physical functioning and stiffness for assessing the construct of RA disease activity. This study aimed to assess the content validity of this item pool using cognitive interviews.

Methods: Participants were randomly sampled across varying age, sex and education level categories from respondents to a survey containing RA disease activity Patient Reported Outcome Measures.

Risk of myocardial infarction and stroke following microbiologically confirmed urinary tract infection: a self-controlled case series study using linked electronic health data.

Objectives: The inflammatory response from acute infection may trigger cardiovascular events. We aimed to estimate associations between microbiologically confirmed urinary tract infections (UTIs) and first acute myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.

Design: We used a self-controlled case series, with risk periods 1-7, 8-14, 15-28 and 29-90 days after UTI.

Image-guided targeting of mitochondrial metabolism sensitizes pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumors to low-dose radiotherapy.

Tumor hypoxia leads to radioresistance and markedly worse clinical outcomes for pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs). Our transcriptomics and bioenergetic profiling data reveal that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic vulnerability of MRT and can be exploited to overcome consumptive hypoxia by repurposing an FDA-approved antimalarial drug, atovaquone (AVO). We then establish the utility of oxygen-enhanced-multispectral optoacoustic tomography, a label-free, ionizing radiation-free imaging modality, to visualize and quantify spatiotemporal changes in tumor hypoxia in response to AVO.

Patient Reported Outcome Measures for Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity: Rasch measurement theory to identify items and domains.

Objectives: Disease activity (DA) monitoring is a standard of care in RA. There is demand for achieving this through patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The aim of this study was to determine which items could be used to measure the construct of RA DA, by analysing legacy PROMs, using Rasch measurement theory (RMT) analyses.

Influencing Factors for the Acceptability of Accessing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis via Community Pharmacies in Wales.

Introduction: HIV prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), have been a significant contributing factor to a global decline in HIV transmission. PrEP has been available through the NHS in Wales since 2017. However, access is exclusively via sexual health clinics, and those accessing PrEP do not reflect those being diagnosed with HIV.

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.

The Precise Synthesis of Ultradense Bottlebrush Polymers Unearths Unique Trends in Lyotropic Ordering.

Biomacromolecular networks with multiscale fibrillar structures are characterized by exceptional mechanical properties, making them attractive architectures for synthetic materials. However, there is a dearth of synthetic polymeric building blocks capable of forming similarly structured networks. Bottlebrush polymers (BBPs) are anisotropic graft polymers with the potential to mimic and replace biomacromolecules such as tropocollagen for the fabrication of synthetic fibrillar networks; however, a longstanding limitation of BBPs has been the lack of rigidity necessary to access the lyotropic ordering that underpins the formation of collagenous networks.

Teaching Early Reading Skills to Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Using a Support Worker/Family Carer Mediated Online Reading Programme: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: There is a paucity of research into interventions that help people with intellectual disabilities learn to read. This feasibility study examines whether an online reading programme, Headsprout, with additional support strategies and supervision (the intervention), can be delivered by support workers/family carers and the feasibility of conducting a later large-scale effectiveness trial.

Methods: The study used a 2-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) design with an embedded process evaluation using a mixed methods approach.

Emotional literacy programme in special schools for children with a learning disability in England: the ZF-SEND feasibility RCT.

Background: Children with a learning disability experience a range of inequalities and adverse life events that put them at greater risk of mental health problems. The construct of emotional literacy has been shown to be a moderating factor of how life stress affects mental health. Teaching emotional literacy in schools may therefore be an effective way to promote positive mental health.

Cost-effectiveness of C-reactive protein point of care testing for safely reducing antibiotic consumption for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as part of the multicentre, parallel-arm, open, individually randomised, controlled PACE trial.

Objectives: Many patients presenting with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in primary care do not benefit from antibiotics. Excessive use wastes resources, promotes antimicrobial resistance and can harm patients.

Design: We conducted a within-trial economic evaluation, using a UK National Health Service perspective, as part of the multicentre, parallel-arm, open, individually randomised, controlled PACE trial.

Behavioural interventions to treat anxiety in adults with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: the BEAMS-ID feasibility study.

Background: Interventions for anxiety need to be adapted to meet the needs of autistic people with moderate to severe learning disabilities and successfully modelled before evidence about efficacy can be generated from clinical trials.

Objectives: The objectives were to: (1) adapt a behavioural intervention for anxiety, develop an intervention fidelity checklist and logic model, and appraise candidate outcome measures, together with carers, autistic people, and clinicians, (2) characterise treatment-as-usual, (3) model the adapted intervention to determine the acceptability and feasibility for all stakeholders, judge the appropriateness of outcome measures, examine the feasibility and acceptability of consent and associated processes and (4) describe factors that facilitate or challenge intervention delivery.

Design: This study had two phases.

Interventions for people with perceptual disorders after stroke: the PIONEER scoping review, Cochrane systematic review and priority setting project.

Background: Stroke often affects recognition and interpretation of information from our senses, resulting in perceptual disorders. Evidence to inform treatment is unclear.

Objective: To determine the breadth and effectiveness of interventions for stroke-related perceptual disorders and identify priority research questions.

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Users' Experiences of PrEP Access, Sexual Behaviour, and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Welsh Qualitative Study.

Background: HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been available in Wales since 2017. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic impacted UK sexual health services, leading to a reduction in service provision. There is a lack of research on the experiences of PrEP users during this time.

The optimal antibiotic treatment duration for community-acquired pneumonia in adults diagnosed in general practice in Denmark (CAP-D): an open-label, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Use of antibiotics is the main driver of antimicrobial resistance which is considered one of the biggest threats to human health. In Denmark, most antibiotics are prescribed in general practice. Acute lower respiratory tract infections, including community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), are among the most frequent indications for antibiotic prescribing.

Behavioural interventions to treat anxiety in adults with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: The BEAMS-ID feasibility study.

Background: The aim of this feasibility study was to adapt and model a behavioural intervention for anxiety with autistic adults with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

Method: Twenty-eight autistic adults with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities, 37 carers, and 40 therapists took part in this single-group non-randomised feasibility study designed to test intervention feasibility and acceptability, outcome measures, and research processes.

Results: The intervention was judged as feasible and acceptable by autistic adults with intellectual disabilities, carers, and therapists.

All-cause and Infection-attributable Mortality Amongst Adults With Bloodstream Infection-a Population-based Study.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are common, life-threatening infections. However, it remains unclear whether deaths following BSIs are primarily from uncontrolled infection or underlying comorbidities. We aimed to determine the overall mortality, infection-attributable mortality, and causes of death for four leading BSI pathogens.

The Effects of Problematic Internet Use and Emotional Connotation on Internet Slang Processing: Evidence from a Lexical Decision Task.

Young people use slang for identifying themselves with a particular social group, gaining social recognition and respect from that group, and expressing their emotional state. One feature of Internet slang is its active use by youth in online communication, which, under certain conditions, may cause problematic Internet use (PIU). We conducted two studies in young Russian speakers (n = 115, n = 106).

Exploring critical intervention features and trial processes in the evaluation of sensory integration therapy for autistic children.

Background: We evaluated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of manualised sensory integration therapy (SIT) for autistic children with sensory processing difficulties in a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Trial processes and contextual factors which may have affected intervention outcomes were explored within a nested process evaluation. This paper details the process evaluation methods and results.

Behavioural activation for depressive symptoms in adults with severe to profound intellectual disabilities: Modelling and initial feasibility study.

Background: Almost no research has been published reporting on evaluations of the effectiveness of psychological interventions for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities and depression. This paper describes the development and initial feasibility testing of an adapted Behavioural Activation therapy (BeatIt2) for this population.

Method: Phase 1 of the study examined participant recruitment and willingness to be randomised in the context of a planned Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT).

Digital adaptation of the Standing up for Myself intervention in young people and adults with intellectual disabilities: the STORM feasibility study.

Background: Stigma contributes to the negative social conditions persons with intellectual disabilities are exposed to, and it needs tackling at multiple levels. Standing Up for Myself is a psychosocial group intervention designed to enable individuals with intellectual disabilities to discuss stigmatising encounters in a safe and supportive setting and to increase their self-efficacy in managing and resisting stigma.

Objectives: To adapt Standing Up for Myself to make it suitable as a digital intervention; to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Digital Standing Up for Myself and online administration of outcome measures in a pilot; to describe usual practice in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to inform future evaluation.

Mapping and identifying service models for community-based services for children with intellectual disabilities and behaviours that challenge in England.

Background: One in five children with an intellectual disability in the UK display behaviours that challenge. Despite associated impacts on the children themselves, their families, and services, little research has been published about how best to design, organise, and deliver health and care services to these children. The purpose of this study was to describe how services are structured and organised ("service models") in England for community-based health and care services for children with intellectual disability who display behaviours that challenge.