Remote monitoring of plant drought stress with the apparent heat capacity.

Drought stress has profound impacts on ecosystems and societies, particularly in the context of climate change. Traditional drought indicators, which often rely on integrated water budget anomalies at various time scales, provide valuable insights but often fail to deliver clear, real-time assessments of vegetation stress. This study introduces the Cooling Efficiency Factor Index (CEFI), a novel metric purely derived from geostationary satellite observations, to detect vegetation drought stress by analyzing daytime surface warming anomalies.

The role of academic self-concepts, parent expectations and teacher-student interactions in socio-economic gaps in educational attainment.

Background: Low socio-economic status (SES) is a persistent risk factor for educational attainment. Parent expectations and student's academic self-concepts contribute to this link; however, few studies have examined how changes in these constructs over time contribute to SES gaps in attainment and how teachers may buffer against the consequences of these changes.

Aims: We examine SES differences in (a) changes in parent expectations and academic self-concepts from primary to secondary school and (b) interactions between teacher-student interaction quality and parent expectations to uncover the role these processes play in SES differences in attainment.

Impulsivity and neuroticism share distinct functional connectivity signatures with alcohol-use risk in youth.

Increases in impulsivity and negative affect (e.g., neuroticism) are common during adolescence and are both associated with risk for alcohol-use initiation and other risk behaviors.

Implementing Federated Analysis using DataSHIELD in the DREAM TO TREAT Atopic Dermatitis Registries Collaboration.

Many new biologic treatments and small molecule agents are emerging and being approved for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Robust evidence, based on large sample sizes from real-world clinical settings, are needed to investigate the use of these new therapies, However, adequate sample sizes of patient data are difficult to obtain within one country alone, requiring international collaboration and data aggregation. To address this need for cooperative research, we investigated the feasibility for an international collaboration of registries to gather data from real-world clinical settings on patients' use of new systemic treatments for AD by creating a federated network between national registries that enables an analysis environment protecting privacy of information and ensuring compliance with General Data Protection Regulation.

Ex vivo mechanical and microstructural evaluation of a changing hepatic microstructure.

Background/objectives: Recent advancements in non-invasive imaging of the liver hold significant potential for disease diagnosis and monitoring. However, the influence of different microstructural features on clinically derived mechanical biomarkers in the liver are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of microstructural changes within liver tissue on mechanics.

Role of Radiomics to Predict Disease Recurrence in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Radiomics offers the potential to predict oncological outcomes from pre-operative imaging, aiding in the identification of 'high risk' patients with sinonasal cancer who are at an increased risk of recurrence. This study aims to comprehensively review the current literature on the role of radiomics as a predictor of disease recurrence in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science databases.

Implementing Evidence-Based Quality Improvement in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety and Clinical Research Programs.

Background And Objectives: This paper defines quality improvement (QI), describes the differences and connections among QI, clinical audit/quality assurance, and clinical research, highlights the importance of strong organizational governance for QI, and provides a simplified, evidence-based QI methodology that can be readily used by health care staff.

Methods: The authors draw on their diverse QI experiences, encompassing a university maternity hospital, a radiation oncology specialist center, an acute general hospital, senior health care management, and academia. This demonstrates the feasibility of implementing QI in diverse health care settings and by all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Density-dependent network structuring within and across wild animal systems.

Theory predicts that high population density leads to more strongly connected spatial and social networks, but how local density drives individuals' positions within their networks is unclear. This gap reduces our ability to understand and predict density-dependent processes. Here we show that density drives greater network connectedness at the scale of individuals within wild animal populations.

Does online information about hormone replacement therapy (or menopause hormone therapy) reflect indications from the British National Formulary and guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: a cross-sectional study of UK media.

Objectives: To describe: (1) the most visible information (from individuals or organisations) on UK social media regarding hormone replacement therapy (HRT)/menopause hormone treatment for menopause; (2) claims made by these sources for HRT and testosterone outwith the indications specified by the British National Formulary (BNF) and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (ie, vasomotor instability, vaginal dryness, low mood associated with the menopause and, for testosterone, low libido after treatment with HRT) and for use for the prevention of future ill health and (3) conflicts of interest of commentators.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Online references to HRT, for use in menopause, in UK online media, comprising Facebook, Google, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, 30 top ranked hits between 1 January 2022 and 1 June 2023 and Twitter (X) up to 1 May 2024.

Correlates of hand grip strength in a cohort of older Nigerian Africans: Findings from the population-based VALIANT project.

Previous evidence suggests there are racial, genetic, and geographic differences in hand grip strength (HGS) underlying the need to define population-specific normative values and their determinants. We determined the normative values of HGS and investigated its correlates in an urban community sample in Nigeria. We assessed 607 participants from the Vascular heAlth, fraiLty, and cognItion in Ageing Nigerians sTudy [VALIANT] - a population-based cohort of 1031 older persons in Ibadan, a city in Southwestern Nigeria.

Managing adversity: a cross-sectional exploration of resilience in social care.

Background: The social care workforce in the United Kingdom plays a vital role in providing support services yet faces systemic challenges of lower priority and lack of resources. Resilience is crucial for these workers who have been navigating challenges within a fragmented system long before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding resilience factors is essential to the future proofing of this vital workforce.

A scoping review of clinical management guidelines in inborn errors of immunity.

Background: A scoping review was conducted for the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) Clinical Working Party (CWP) to evaluate clinical management guidelines for Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEIs). The goal was to identify gaps to inform future guideline development, thereby supporting improved clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Methods: A search strategy was developed in collaboration with the ESID CWP and an information specialist.

The use of virtual rehabilitation Augmented Reality (AR) exergames for patients with osteoporosis to improve balance, muscle strength and confidence: Study design for a clinical trial.

Osteoporosis is a major bone disease, affecting more than 200 million people globally. Physical exercise is a powerful non-pharmaceutical fracture prevention strategy for people with osteoporosis or those at risk of falls. However, the participation in and adherence to an exercise regimen by older adults is often low due to a lack of motivation, a fear of falling, safety and/or cost.

Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Epithelial Precancerous Conditions and Lesions in the Stomach in Europe.

Background And Aims: The first international guideline for managing preneoplastic conditions of the stomach (MAPS I) was published in 2012, followed by an update (MAPS II) in 2019. As adherence to these guidelines remains uncertain, we evaluated adherence by comparing the management of preneoplastic gastric conditions before and after the introduction of MAPS I and II in selected European centers.

Methods: Patients data were retrieved from nine endoscopy units in seven European countries during three periods: pre-MAPS I (2010/2011), post-MAPS I (2017/2018), and post-MAPS II (2022/2023).

Polyserine-mediated targeting of FAF2/UBXD8 ameliorates tau aggregation.

Tau aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, and the gain of toxic function of misfolded tau species is linked to pathobiology. Herein, we identified proteins that limit tau aggregation when targeted to tau aggregates by polyserine domains. Polyserine targeting was most effective at mitigating tau aggregation when fused to the vasolin-containing protein (VCP) adaptor protein fas-associated factor family member 2/UBX domain-containing protein 8 (FAF2/UBXD8).

Miles and mindset: The psychological toll of multi-marathoning.

Objective: Multi-marathoners, usually 100 Marathon Club members, have completed dozens or even hundreds of marathons. While physiological benefits of endurance running are established, the psychological impacts, particularly depression and anxiety, remain underexamined. This study compared depression and anxiety in multi-marathoners with population norms and examined differences by age, gender, and psychological subgroup.

Ultrastrong adhesion to human skin: Calcium as a key regulator of noncovalent interactions.

Calcium is a critical regulator of skin adhesion, stabilizing one of the strongest noncovalent biomolecular interactions ever recorded. Using in vitro and in silico single-molecule force spectroscopy, we demonstrate that calcium ions (Ca) are essential for the ultrastrong binding between the serine-aspartate repeat protein D (SdrD) adhesin and the human skin protein desmoglein-1 (DSG-1), withstanding forces exceeding 2 nanonewtons. Ca ions stabilize both the SdrD complex and the mechanically robust SdrD B-domains, which exhibit unprecedented folding strength.

Bioimpedance-Derived Phase Angle Was Associated with Faster Blood Pressure Stabilisation Following Orthostatic Challenge in Older Adults.

Phase Angle (PA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, reflects cellular health and may indicate physiological resilience in ageing. We examined the relationship between PA and blood pressure (BP) recovery following an orthostatic challenge in 107 older adults attending a specialist falls clinic. Participants underwent active stand testing with continuous, beat-to-beat BP monitoring over 180 seconds.

Exploring the impact of case mix factors on length of stay to a Complex Discharge Unit across three phases: pre-COVID-19 (2019), during COVID-19 (2021) and late-stage COVID-19 (2023) pandemic.

Background/aims: Subacute complex discharge units (CDUs) offer intermediary person-centred care between acute hospital and community services by providing specialised care for patients with complex medical and functional needs. However, several elements of clinical practice were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to determine the impact of several case mix factors on length of stay and how this impact changed across three phases: pre-COVID-19 (2019), during COVID-19 (2021) and late-stage COVID-19 (2023) in our Complex Discharge Unit.

Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial Results Through 140 Weeks.

Background: Upadacitinib is an oral selective Janus kinase inhibitor approved to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults and adolescents; long-term efficacy and safety data beyond 1 year are needed.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of upadacitinib treatment through 140 weeks in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Methods: Measure Up 1 (MeUp1; NCT03569293), Measure Up 2 (MeUp2; NCT03607422), and AD Up (NCT03568318) are ongoing, phase 3, randomized clinical trials evaluating upadacitinib 15 mg (UPA15) and 30 mg (UPA30) in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe AD.

Off-the-shelf dual CAR-iNKT cell immunotherapy eradicates medullary and leptomeningeal high-risk KMT2A-rearranged leukemia.

Current therapies, including autologous CAR-T immunotherapy, fail to cure half of infants with KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (KMT2Ar-ALL), a disease characterized by frequent central nervous system involvement, poor treatment response, early relapse and lineage switching. More effective treatment strategies, including the availability of 'off-the-shelf' immunotherapies is particularly relevant in infants. PROM1/CD133 is a direct target of KMT2A-fusion oncoproteins and is expressed on leukemic cells.

Polysubstance use in early adulthood and associated factors in the Republic of Ireland: An analysis of a nationally representative cohort.

Background And Aims: Alcohol and other drug use is common in early adulthood; however, research on contemporary polysubstance use patterns-defined as use of multiple psychoactive substances-and their associated factors is limited. This study aimed to identify groups with differing polysubstance use patterns and to examine associations with individual, family and socio-environmental factors.

Design: This is a cohort study based on data from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study.