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•The E592K variant of SF3B1 induces unique RNA missplicing that is nonoverlapping with other MDS-associated variants.•E592K is associated with elevated blasts, lack of RSs, and decreased survival.

Aim: This study investigated the role of the individual impact of the cost-of-living crisis, self-efficacy, religiosity, demographic factors, and their collective influence on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods: A correlational online survey with 443 participants living with SCD (51.5% male and 48.8% female) was conducted. HRQoL was assessed with the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12). Independent variables were the individual impact of the cost-of-living crisis (ICoLC), sickle cell self-efficacy, religiosity, and demographic factors (age, gender, education, and country of residence). Quantile regression analysis was employed. Results: Self-efficacy was positively associated with HRQoL, evidencing the importance of self-efficacy in managing SCD. ICoLC was negatively associated with HRQoL, underscoring the challenges faced by individuals with SCD during the cost-of-living crisis. UK participants reported significantly higher HRQoL than US participants, suggesting national disparities. Contrary to previous findings, religiosity was negatively associated with HRQoL. Conclusion: This study highlights the roles of self-efficacy, the cost-of-living crisis, religiosity, and demographic factors in shaping the HRQoL of individuals with SCD. Our findings call for interventions that enhance self-efficacy, mitigate the financial challenges arising from the cost-of-living crisis, and provide tailored support for individuals having differing levels of religiosity. They also emphasize the need for region-specific healthcare delivery and support systems. Future research should explore these relationships qualitatively, aiming to develop interventions that enhance HRQoL for individuals with SCD, regardless of their geographical location, to improve outcomes and overall well-being during the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.

Although loss of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) splicing repression is well documented in postmortem tissues of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), whether this abnormality occurs during early-stage disease remains unresolved. Cryptic exon inclusion reflects loss of function of TDP-43, and thus detection of proteins containing cryptic exon-encoded neoepitopes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood could reveal the earliest stages of TDP-43 dysregulation in patients. Here we use a newly characterized monoclonal antibody specific to a TDP-43-dependent cryptic epitope (encoded by the cryptic exon found in HDGFL2) to show that loss of TDP-43 splicing repression occurs in ALS–FTD, including in presymptomatic C9orf72mutation carriers. Cryptic hepatoma-derived growth factor-like protein 2 (HDGFL2) accumulates in CSF at significantly higher levels in familial ALS–FTD and sporadic ALS compared with controls and is elevated earlier than neurofilament light and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain protein levels in familial disease. Cryptic HDGFL2 can also be detected in blood of individuals with ALS–FTD, including in presymptomatic C9orf72mutation carriers, and accumulates at levels highly correlated with those in CSF. Our findings indicate that loss of TDP-43 cryptic splicing repression occurs early in disease progression, even presymptomatically, and that detection of the HDGFL2 cryptic neoepitope serves as a potential diagnostic biomarker for ALS, which should facilitate patient recruitment and measurement of target engagement in clinical trials.

Objectives: COVID-19 booster vaccine uptake among minority ethnic individuals in the United Kingdom has been lower than in the general population. This is the case not only for the first and second dose of the vaccine, but particularly for the booster dose. However, little research has examined psychosocial factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in minority ethnic individuals. This study conducted a qualitative exploration, informed by Protection Motivation Theory, of attitudes towards and perceptions of the COVID-19 booster vaccination among ethnic minority individuals in North East England. Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 ethnic minority individuals (11 females, five males) aged between 27 and 57, residing in North East England. Results: Inductive thematic analysis showed that perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 influenced vaccination decisions. Perceived response costs acted as barriers to COVID-19 booster vaccination among interviewees, in the form of time constraints and a perceived lack of practical support in the event of experiencing side effects from the vaccine. There was a lack of confidence in the vaccine, with individuals seeing it as lacking sufficient research. Participants also spoke of medical mistrust due to historical events involving medical experimentation on minority ethnic individuals. Interviewees suggested involving community leaders in addressing people’s concerns, misassumptions, and lack of confidence in COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: Campaigns to increase COVID-19 booster vaccine uptake need to be designed to address physical barriers towards vaccination, misconceptions, and a lack of confidence in the vaccine. Further research needs to determine the effectiveness of enlisting community leaders in these efforts.

Despite repeated efforts by the Nigerian government and the international community, under-5 child mortality remains alarmingly high in Nigeria. This narrative review aims to reassess the key factors contributing to this persistent public health challenge. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles and reports published in English was conducted to identify and synthesize data on the factors predisposing Nigerian children under 5 to mortality. The review identifies multiple interrelated contributors, including socioeconomic, sociocultural, and demographic factors, inadequate access to healthcare services, an under-resourced healthcare system, and a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals. The high burden of communicable and preventable diseases also plays a significant role in under-5 mortality. To address these issues, targeted interventions such as improving healthcare access, strengthening the health system, and reducing poverty are essential. The findings underscore the urgent need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to effectively reduce under-5 mortality in Nigeria and improve the health outcomes of vulnerable children. Government, healthcare providers, and communities must work together to address these concerns so that all children can access the care they need to live and flourish.

Background/AimsHealth disparities concerning uptake of and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation post-myocardial infarction have been observed in patients with coronary heart disease from a South Asian background. Healthcare professionals from a South Asian background can provide insight into the influential cultural factors affecting cardiac rehabilitation adherence. The aim of the study was to explore cultural factors impacting adherence to cardiac rehabilitation post-myocardial infarction from the perspective of healthcare professionals from a South Asian background.MethodsA qualitative thematic approach using semi-structured interviews was employed with 15 participants (8 men and 7 women) recruited from various healthcare settings. The participants were from a range of health professions, including a physiotherapist, general practitioner, nurse, surgeon, physiologist, cardiologist and pharmacist.ResultsFour themes were identified from the interviews: familiarity: influence of practitioners' own cultural background; Western vs Eastern medical philosophy: generation and gender influences; engaging with existing services: changing patients' attitudes and perceptions; and modifying practitioner–patient communication: encouraging patient responsibility. All themes related to health beliefs that patients from a South Asian background were perceived to hold.ConclusionsPrevious research has suggested that there is a need to tailor health services towards people from a South Asian background. However, the focus should also simultaneously be on changing patients' perceptions of their own health and to consider providing outpatients with the support to develop the necessary skills to implement lifestyle changes towards improving cardiac rehabilitation uptake and adherence.

Aims and methodIn-patients on mental health wards are commonly prescribed hypnotics for the long-term management of disturbed sleep. Specific sleep disorders remain underdiagnosed and effective behavioural interventions are underused. We developed a suite of three educational interventions (a video, poster and handbook) about sleep, sleep disorders, the safe prescribing of hypnotics and use of psychological strategies (sleep hygiene and cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia, CBTi) using co-design and multiprofessional stakeholder involvement. This controlled before-and-after study evaluated the effectiveness of these interventions across seven in-patient psychiatric wards, examining their impact on hypnotic prescribing rates and staff confidence scores (data collected by retrospective drug chart analysis and survey respectively).ResultsA marked reduction was seen in the percentage of patients prescribed hypnotics on in-patient prescription charts (−24%), with a 41% reduction in the number of hypnotics administered per patient (mean reduction −1.142 administrations/patient).Clinical implicationsThese simple educational strategies about the causes and treatment of insomnia can reduce hypnotic prescribing rates and increase staff confidence in both the medical and psychological management of insomnia.

This is a cross-sectional Web-based study that aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the Jordanian women toward iron-deficiency anemia. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire via multipurpose Facebook groups. In total, 4110 women completed the questionnaire. Of these, 15.9% had never heard of iron-deficiency anemia. The KAP scores were calculated for the remaining 3457 participants and variables that influenced these scores were determined. The factors that influenced KAP scores were monthly income and education/working field (P< .01). There was a positive association between age and attitude score. The results indicate that there is a need to improve Jordanian women's KAP toward iron-deficiency anemia.

AbstractThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern. This pandemic poses a challenge to research and scientific community. In this study, we developed and tested content reliability and content validity of a questionnaire designed for evaluating the readiness and willingness of researchers to participate in virology research in Jordan. The survey was hosted on an online platform, and the link was emailed. A total of 332 participants from universities across Jordan completed the survey. For factor analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value (KMO) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity were conducted. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with parallel analysis and scree plots were conducted to evaluate the most suitable model for the data. The result of the EFA suggested a 5-factor model would fit the survey. Data showed that the lowest means were for researchers’ readiness to conduct virology research and readiness for virology research with means of 2.07 and 2.95, respectively. Moreover, years of experience and speciality had a significant effect on the readiness and willingness of virology research in Jordan. In conclusion, readiness for research and researchers should be addressed and authorities should pay attention to these shortcomings in virology research.

ABSTRACTAs in most other countries, England has no explicit alcohol licensing objective around health, so objections to applications tend to focus on the traditional concerns of crime and public disorder. We examined the practicalities of using health-related information in local licensing decisions and the prospects for a dedicated health-associated licensing objective. Seven local authority pilot areas were purposively selected and provided with a compendium of health information (Public Health England Toolkit), including data-access agreements and mapping software. A series of ‘mock licensing hearings’ explored practical challenges in using health data. Key informants were interviewed at baseline and 10–12 weeks after receiving the Toolkit. Access to localised health information was problematic, and there was a mismatch between a ‘data-orientated approach’ and the need for contextualised evidence. Perceived difficulty in proving that a new licence would damage health discouraged challenges on health grounds. Constraints in using health information in alcohol licensing are not restricted to the absence of a dedicated health-associated licensing objective. While the latter may enhance the legitimacy of public health participation, improved access to localised health information, stronger collaborative working and training in how to contextualise evidence, will all be critical to better alcohol harm reduction through licensing decisions.

Aims: Little research has examined factors underlying COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy or refusal in Black and Asian individuals in England, among whom hesitancy tends to be higher than in the general population. This qualitative study aimed to gain an understanding of factors affecting hesitancy in Black and Asian individuals in England, to help address concerns about having the vaccine. Method: Ninety-five participants (51 women, 42 men, 2 other; 58% were aged between 30 and 49) recruited via a market recruitment agency, local Healthwatch networks, and using a snowballing method, participated in four activities on an online engagement platform, sharing their attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, and factors shaping their beliefs and concerns, over 5 weeks from April to March 2021. Results: Inductive thematic analysis revealed five themes: (1) a variety of views on the COVID-19 vaccine, (2) targeted messaging for Black and Asian people as counterproductive, (3) confusion over the purpose of the vaccine roll-out, (4) hesitancy to take the vaccine, and (5) local networks as a trusted source of information. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that respecting individuals’ agency, transparency of information provided, and the independence of the bodies providing this information are important. Instead of targeted messaging, local networks should be used in campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Black and Asian individuals.

Alfuzosin is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms. Bioequivalence studies are demanded by regulatory authorities to evaluate the expected in vivo biological similarity of 2 formulations of a medication. The aim of this study is to assess the bioavailability of the generic (test) and branded (reference) formulations of 10‐mg alfuzosin extended‐release tablets after oral administration to healthy adults under fed conditions. The study used a comparative randomized, single‐dose, 2‐way crossover open‐label study design. Thirty‐three participants were recruited and completed the clinical assessment. The pharmacokinetic parameters maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0‐t), AUC extrapolated to infinity (AUC0‐∞), time to maximum concentration, and elimination half‐life were estimated to prove bioequivalence. The confidence intervals for the log‐transformed test/reference ratios for alfuzosin 110.7% (98.0–124.9) and 112.0% (101.9–123.1) for Cmaxand AUC0‐trespectively, which are within the allowed limits specified by the regulatory authorities (80–125% for Cmaxand AUC0‐t). The test formulation can therefore be prescribed as an alternative to the reference for symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

ABSTRACTA shared neuropathological hallmark in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is nuclear clearance and cytoplasmic aggregation of TARDBP/TDP-43 (TAR DNA binding protein). We previously showed that the ability of TARDBP to repress nonconserved cryptic exons was impaired in brains of patients with ALS and FTD, suggesting that its nuclear depletion contributes to neurodegeneration. However, the critical pathways impacted by the failure to repress cryptic exons that may contribute to neurodegeneration remain undefined. Here, we report that transcriptome analysis of TARDBP-deficient neurons revealed downregulation of ATG7, a critical gene required for macroautophagy/autophagy. Mouse and Drosophilamodels lacking TARDBP/TBPH in motor neurons exhibiting age-dependent neurodegeneration and motor deficits showed reduction of ATG7 and accumulation of SQSTM1/p62 inclusions. Importantly, genetic upregulation of the autophagy pathway improved motor function and survival in TBPH-deficient flies. Together with our observation that ATG7 is reduced in ALS-FTD brain tissues, these findings identify the autophagy pathway as one key effector of nuclear depletion of TARDBP that contributes to neurodegeneration. We thus suggest that the autophagy pathway is a therapeutic target for ALS-FTD and other disorders exhibiting TARDBP pathology.Abbreviations:ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; ANOVA: analysis of variance; ChAT: choline acetyltransferase; CTSD: cathepsin D; FTD: frontotemporal dementia; LAMP1: lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; NMJ: neuromuscular junction; RBFOX3/NeuN: RNA binding fox-1 homolog 3; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TARDBP/TDP-43: TAR DNA binding protein 43.

Over the last decade, organ donation and transplantation rates have increased in Australia and worldwide. Donor and recipient characteristics for most organ types have generally broadened, resulting in the need to consider more complex data in transplant decision-making. As a result of some of these pressures, the Australian software used for donor and recipient data management is currently being updated. Because of the in-built capacity for improved data management, organ allocation processes will have the opportunity to be significantly reviewed, in particular the possible use of risk indices (RIs) to guide organ allocation and transplantation decisions. We aimed to review RIs used in organ allocation policies worldwide and to compare their use to current Australian protocols. Significant donor, recipient, and transplant variables in the indices were summarized. We conclude that Australia has the opportunity to incorporate greater use of RIs in its allocation policies and in transplant decision-making processes. However, while RIs can assist with organ allocation and help guide prognosis, they often have significant limitations which need to be properly appreciated when deciding how to best use them to guide clinical decisions.

ABSTRACTBuilt environment restructuring can improve public health through increased opportunity for healthy behaviors. Behavioral science targets individual health behaviors within place, suggesting the potential to integrate these approaches. This scoping review was one of the first to summarise the impact built environment restructuring has on health outcomes and behaviors andintegrate these findings with the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior model and Theoretical Domains Framework of behavior change. Potential studies were identified from 12 academic databases in urban design, psychology and public health. Search parameters involved 50 environment types, for example green space or healthy cities, combined with both an intervention (e.g. green infrastructure, active transport) and a measurable health outcome (e.g. exercise, wellbeing). Searches were limited to North America, Europe, or Australia/New Zealand. Of 536 potential studies reviewed against defined inclusion/exclusion criteria, 23 contributed to the findings. Evidence supported the positive influence of restructuring on varied health outcomes, many of which were drivers and domains of health behavior. Most studies indicated a clear contribution to increased physical activity. Recommendations include the need for explicit communication of theories guiding restructuring project design, consideration of health outcomes beyond physical activity, and better investigation of unanticipated barriers to health behaviors arising from built environment restructuring projects.

Muslim women use cancer screening less often than the general female population, which puts them at risk of delayed detection. We used an asset-based approach to co-design a faith-based intervention to increase uptake of breast, colorectal, and cervical screening in Scottish Muslim women.

The fidelity of RNA splicing is regulated by a network of splicing enhancers and repressors, although the rules that govern this process are not yet fully understood. One mechanism that contributes to splicing fidelity is the repression of nonconserved cryptic exons by splicing factors that recognize dinucleotide repeats. We previously identified that TDP-43 and PTBP1/PTBP2 are capable of repressing cryptic exons utilizing UG and CU repeats, respectively. Here we demonstrate that hnRNP L (HNRNPL) also represses cryptic exons by utilizing exonic CA repeats, particularly near the 5′SS. We hypothesize that hnRNP L regulates CA repeat repression for both cryptic exon repression and developmental processes such as T cell differentiation.

The aim of the current research was to review the first-line response to patient falls in the independent care sector in North East England. The authors used an online questionnaire via ‘Survey Monkey’ software package, and a convenience sample of 24 of 32 independent care sector homes from South Tyneside, representing a 75% response rate. Policies and guidelines for falls were investigated and the findings highlight the disparate responses to incidences in care-home settings. Despite 96% having a policy on falls, only 80% included an assessment of possible injury or harm and 13% included no direct guidance for staff when residents fall. The most common action was to ring emergency services to move patients, even in the absence of physical injury. There was considerable ambiguity around the assessment of injuries and whose responsibility this was, particularly in falls with potentially non-visible injuries. Ambiguity was also present in the management of falls, where there was overlap between accident and falls policies. The current research highlights the need for policy standardisation. There is a potential fiscal impact on emergency ambulance services when they are contacted as the first-line response for falls regardless of the occurrence of injury. This has implications on staff education and the strategic planning of emergency ambulance services. Further consideration on the suitability of falls policies is urgently required.

The need for healthcare assistants (HCAs) to have clear policies and guidelines in relation to when falls occur in domiciliary care settings is paramount. If first-line responses are to be appropriately tailored to patient need and discernment is to be used in determining the necessity for intervention by emergency care workers such as paramedics, then standardised frameworks and policies ought to be clearly apparent across care sectors.Our work focused on the first-line response to patient falls in the independent care sector in a specific geographical region of north-east England. This article provides an insight into what our original findings revealed and how they might be used as a source of reflection for HCAs working in the residential independent care sector.Using a basic questionnaire, we surveyed 24 (75%) of the 32 independent care sector homes in South Tyneside to establish how policies and guidelines in these organisations were understood by staff. Our findings highlight a diverse array of responses to falls in care home settings. While 96% of homes claimed to have a specific policy on falls, only 80% of them included an assessment of possible injury or harm to residents and 13% included no direct guidance for care staff in instances where residents fell and were still on the floor.Even in instances where policies did include direct guidance, there was great variation in available information for staff, especially between domiciliary and care home settings. Most commonly, staff were advised to call an emergency ambulance, even in the absence of injury, if patients were found on the floor.HCAs are working in contexts where there is apparently a high degree of ambiguity around the assessment of injuries sustained as a consequence of falls, particularly where potentially non-visible injuries occur, which are not immediately recognisable or symptomatic. There was also overlap between accident and falls policies, which added a further level of ambiguity to the most appropriate and immediate actions for HCAs to take.

The fidelity of RNA splicing is maintained by a network of factors, but the molecular mechanisms that govern this process have yet to be fully elucidated. We previously found that TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein implicated in neurodegenerative disease, utilizes UG microsatellites to repress nonconserved cryptic exons and prevent their incorporation into mRNA. Here, we report that two well-characterized splicing factors, polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 2 (PTBP2), are also nonconserved cryptic exon repressors. In contrast to TDP-43, PTBP1 and PTBP2 utilize CU microsatellites to repress both conserved tissue-specific exons and nonconserved cryptic exons. Analysis of these conserved splicing events suggests that PTBP1 and PTBP2 repression is titrated to generate the transcriptome diversity required for neuronal differentiation. We establish that PTBP1 and PTBP2 are members of a family of cryptic exon repressors.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used for hemodialysis but are prone to burdensome and costly bloodstream infections. We aimed to determine whether multifaceted quality improvement interventions in hemodialysis units can prevent hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infections (HDCRBSI).

ABSTRACTThe question of whether children should be vaccinated against COVID-19 is currently being argued. The risk-benefit analysis of the vaccine in children has been more challenging because of the low prevalence of acute COVID-19 in children and the lack of confidence in the relative effects of the vaccine and the disease. One of the most convincing arguments for vaccinating healthy children is to protect them from long-term consequences. The aim of this study was to assess Jordanian parents’ intention to vaccinate their children. This is an Internet-based cross-sectional survey. The researchers prepared a Google Forms survey and shared the link with a number of Jordanian Facebook generic groups. Data were gathered between September and November 2021. In this study, convenience sampling was used. Knowledge about COVID-19 and preventive practices against COVID-19 were calculated for each participant. A total of 819 participants completed the survey (female = 70.9%). Of these, 274 (30.2%) participants intended to vaccinate their children, whereas the rest were either unsure 176 (21.5%) or intended not to vaccinate their children 396 (48.4%). The variables that increased the odds of answering “No” vs “Yes” to “will you vaccinate your children against COVID-19” included not willing to take the vaccines themselves (OR 3.75; CI, 1.46–9.62) and low protective practice group (OR 1.73;CI, 1.12–2.68). Participants had significant levels of refusal/hesitancy. Several barriers to vaccination were identified; attempts to overcome these should be stepped up.

Heterogeneous cellular networks are composed of a mixture of macro and small (pico) cells embedded in the macro network. We assume uniform traffic for simplicity, and study the scaling of area spectral efficiencies (ASEs) as pico densities are increased, optimizing over transmit power and cell association bias. We found that median ASE grows linearly with the number of picos, with a slope as low as one, i.e., only one picocell per macro sector is necessary to double median ASE. The pico must be placed intelligently rather than randomly, and needs only transmit at -20 dB power equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) relative to the macro. The effectiveness of the pico at such low power is due in part to the improvement in area coverage of an omnidirectional versus a three-sectored antenna. As pico density increases five percentile, signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SINR) decreases, causing poor scaling of edge rates. However, cell association bias was found to be an effective means of restoring the otherwise poor scaling of fifth percentile rates.

The way students perceive science as a difficult subject has resulted in fewer students opting for a higher sciences or engineering education. To address these issues, the national curriculum of the UK has immersed science in the primary stages until age 16. There is also more student participation involved in classrooms. The science organizations are all striving to attract students to their particular specialty in a variety of ways, from longer training programs to more flexible learning approaches.

Previous research showing everyday memory is impaired by heavy alcohol use may have underestimated the cognitive impairment of heavy users because drinkers consuming over the recommended limits for safe drinking have often been treated as a homogeneous group, often with a low threshold for inclusion. The current study investigated whether the reported linear relationship applies to participants consuming alcohol significantly above recommended limits. The everyday memory of 80 participants (43 men; modal age, 31–35 years) was investigated using the Prospective Memory Questionnaire. Participants also detailed their average weekly intake of alcohol and other substances. Current heavy users of alcohol (who consumed on average over 25 units per week) reported more memory problems than low (1–9 units per week) or medium users (10–25 units per week). Participants undergoing counselling for alcohol use reported more deficits than low or medium drinkers, but fewer than current heavy drinkers. Possible reasons for this were discussed. Strengths and limitations of subjective approaches to memory assessment were discussed as well as suggestions for future research.

Allbutt, Ling, and Shafiullah (2006) and Allbutt, Shafiullah, and Ling (2006) found that scores on self-report measures of visual imagery experience correlate primarily with the egoistic form of social-desirable responding. Here, three studies are reported which investigated whether this pattern of findings generalized to the ratings of imagery vividness in the auditory modality, a new version of the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (Marks, 1995), and reports of visual thinking style. The measure of social-desirable responding used was the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR; Paulhus, 2002). Correlational analysis replicated the pattern seen in our earlier work and of the correlations with the egoistic bias, the correlation with vividness of visual imagery was largest and significant, the correlation with visual thinking style next largest and approached significance, and the correlation with vividness of auditory imagery was the smallest and not significant. The size of these correlations mirrored the extent to which the three aspects of imagery were valued by participants.

Chronic pain, particularly low back pain, is widespread. Although a great deal is known about the impact that this has on quality of life and physical activity, relatively little has been established regarding the more cognitive effects of pain. This study aims to find out whether individuals with chronic pain experience memory deficits in prospective memory (PM), the process of remembering to do things at some future point in time. Examples of PM include remembering to keep an appointment, such as a visit to a clinic, or to perform a particular task, such as paying a bill on time.

Allbutt, Shafiullah, and Ling [1] found that scores on self-report measures of visual and movement imagery vividness correlate primarily with an egoistic form of socially desirable responding rather than a moralistic form. The current study investigated whether the pattern of findings generalizes to the ratings of other imagery properties such as the ease with which an image can be generated. Participants completed the Shapes Questionnaire [2] and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding [3]. Several of the shapes Questionnaire ratings correlated significantly with the egoistic form of socially desirable responding, while correlations with the moralistic form were rare. This shows the pattern of findings generalizes to the ratings of properties of the imagery experience other than vividness.

Extensive research has identified individual differences associated with sex in a range of visual task performances, including susceptibility to visual illusions. The aim of this study was to identify the locus of sex differences within the context of the Poggendorf illusion. 79 women and 79 men participated within a mixed factorial design. Analyses indicated that sex differences were only present in the stimulus context with the full inducing element present. This finding replicates recent research and provides qualifying evidence as to the locus of the effect. The findings are discussed within the functional framework of perceptual processes involved in extrapolating 3-dimensional characteristics from 2-dimensional visual stimuli

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common acquired muscle disease in adults over age 50, yet it remains unclear whether the disease is primarily driven by T cell–mediated autoimmunity. IBM muscle biopsies display nuclear clearance and cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43 in muscle cells, a pathologic finding observed initially in neurodegenerative diseases, where nuclear loss of TDP-43 in neurons causes aberrant RNA splicing. Here, we show that loss of TDP-43–mediated splicing repression, as determined by inclusion of cryptic exons, occurs in skeletal muscle of subjects with IBM. Of 119 muscle biopsies tested, RT-PCR–mediated detection of cryptic exon inclusion was able to diagnose IBM with 84% sensitivity and 99% specificity. To determine the role of T cells in pathogenesis, we generated a xenograft model by transplanting human IBM muscle into the hindlimb of immunodeficient mice. Xenografts from subjects with IBM displayed robust regeneration of human myofibers and recapitulated both inflammatory and degenerative features of the disease. Myofibers in IBM xenografts showed invasion by human, oligoclonal CD8+T cells and exhibited MHC-I up-regulation, rimmed vacuoles, mitochondrial pathology, p62-positive inclusions, and nuclear clearance and cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43, associated with cryptic exon inclusion. Reduction of human T cells within IBM xenografts by treating mice intraperitoneally with anti-CD3 (OKT3) suppressed MHC-I up-regulation. However, rimmed vacuoles and loss of TDP-43 function persisted. These data suggest that T cell depletion does not alter muscle degenerative pathology in IBM.

We present recount3, a resource consisting of over 750,000 publicly available human and mouse RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) samples uniformly processed by our new Monorail analysis pipeline. To facilitate access to the data, we provide the recount3 and snapcount R/Bioconductor packages as well as complementary web resources. Using these tools, data can be downloaded as study-level summaries or queried for specific exon-exon junctions, genes, samples, or other features. Monorail can be used to process local and/or private data, allowing results to be directly compared to any study in recount3. Taken together, our tools help biologists maximize the utility of publicly available RNA-seq data, especially to improve their understanding of newly collected data. recount3 is available from http://rna.recount.bio.

Recall of conversation is an important part of memory for events. Previous studies have focused predominantly on adults. In the present study, 195 participants ages 11 to 63 years listened to a novel audiotaped conversation. They were not informed they would later have to recall elements of this conversation. Recall was a week later. There were no age-related differences in the recall of children ages 11, 13, and 15; however, there was a difference between retention over 7 days of children and adults, with adults recalling more information correctly. No sex differences were observed. These results are evaluated in the context of research on eye- and ear-witness recall and suggestions for research are given.

Cumulative impact policies restricting the award of new licences to sell alcohol have been implemented in many local authorities across England as a means of tackling alcohol harms. Providing evidence linking local harms with availability, however, can present practical challenges for public health teams. We sought to examine the extent to which measures of availability together with local small area characteristics were associated with both acute and chronic alcohol harms in a local authority in north east England.