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Background No effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge. Methods The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing. Findings 2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7–9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46–0·99]), obesity (0·50 [0·34–0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23–0·76]). Cluster analysis (n=1636) corroborated the previously reported four clusters: very severe, severe, moderate with cognitive impairment, and mild, relating to the severity of physical health, mental health, and cognitive impairment at 5 months. We found increased inflammatory mediators of tissue damage and repair in both the very severe and the moderate with cognitive impairment clusters compared with the mild cluster, including IL-6 concentration, which was increased in both comparisons (n=626 participants). We found a substantial deficit in median EQ-5D-5L utility index from before COVID-19 (retrospective assessment; 0·88 [IQR 0·74–1·00]), at 5 months (0·74 [0·64–0·88]) to 1 year (0·75 [0·62–0·88]), with minimal improvements across all outcome measures at 1 year after discharge in the whole cohort and within each of the four clusters. Interpretation The sequelae of a hospital admission with COVID-19 were substantial 1 year after discharge across a range of health domains, with the minority in our cohort feeling fully recovered. Patient-perceived health-related quality of life was reduced at 1 year compared with before hospital admission. Systematic inflammation and obesity are potential treatable traits that warrant further investigation in clinical trials. Funding UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

ObjectiveCOVID-19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs); however, hesitancy continues to persist among these patients. Therefore, we studied the prevalence, predictors and reasons for hesitancy in patients with IIMs, other AIRDs, non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and healthy controls (HCs), using data from the two international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) e-surveys.MethodsThe first and second COVAD patient self-reported e-surveys were circulated from March to December 2021, and February to June 2022 (ongoing). We collected data on demographics, comorbidities, COVID-19 infection and vaccination history, reasons for hesitancy, and patient reported outcomes. Predictors of hesitancy were analysed using regression models in different groups.ResultsWe analysed data from 18 882 (COVAD-1) and 7666 (COVAD-2) respondents. Reassuringly, hesitancy decreased from 2021 (16.5%) to 2022 (5.1%) (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.30, P ConclusionVaccine hesitancy has decreased from 2021 to 2022, long-term safety concerns remain among patients with IIMs, particularly in Caucasians and those with poor physical function.

Introduction/Aims We studied COVID-19 vaccination-related adverse events (ADEs) 7-days post-vaccination in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs). Methods 7-day vaccine ADEs were collected in an international patient self-reported e-survey. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression were performed. Results 10,900 respondents [1227 IIMs; 4640 SAIDs; 5033 healthy controls (HCs), median age 42 (IQR 30-55) years, 74% female, 45% Caucasian, 69% completely vaccinated] were analysed. 76.3% IIMs patients reported minor and 4.6% major ADEs. Patients with active IIMs reported more frequent major [OR 2.7 (1.04-7.3)] and minor [OR 1.5 (1.1-2.2)] ADEs than inactive IIMs. Rashes were more frequent in IIMs [OR-2.3(1.2-4.2)] than HCs. ADEs were not impacted by steroid dose, although hydroxychloroquine and intravenous/subcutaneous immunoglobulins were associated with a higher risk of minor ADEs [OR 1.9 (1.1-3.3), OR 2.2 (1.1-4.3)]. Overall, ADEs were less frequent in inclusion body myositis (IBM) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccine recipients Discussion 7-day post-vaccination ADEs were comparable in patients with IIMs, SAIDs, and HCs, except for a higher risk of rashes in IIMs. Patients with DM, active disease may be at higher risk, and IBM patients at lower risk of specific ADEs. Overall, the benefit of preventing severe COVID-19 through vaccination likely outweighs the risk of vaccine-related ADEs Our results may inform future guidelines regarding COVID-19 vaccination in patients with SAIDs, and specifically in IIMs. Studies to evaluate long-term outcomes and disease flares are needed to shed more light on developing future COVID-19 vaccination guidelines.

Background The Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire is a disease-specific sarcopenia quality of life tool. We aimed to independently assess SarQoL with a particular focus on its suitability as a clinical trial outcome measure. Methods We analysed data from the UK Sarcopenia Network and Registry. Measures of physical performance and lean mass were collected at baseline. SarQoL and the Strength, Assistance, Rise, Climb - Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire (to assess functional ability) were collected at both baseline and six-month follow-up. Global changes in fitness and quality of life at 6 months were elicited on seven-point Likert scales. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Responsiveness (Cohen’s d and Guyatt coefficients) and minimum clinically important differences were calculated for participants reporting slight improvement or worsening in their global scores. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating baseline SarQoL scores with measures of physical performance and functional ability. Results We analysed data from 147 participants, 125 of whom underwent follow up assessment; mean age 78 years; 72 (49%) were women. Internal consistency was good; Cronbach’s alpha was 0.944 at baseline and 0.732 at telephone follow-up. Correlation between baseline and follow-up SarQoL was weak (r = 0.27; p = 0.03). The minimum clinically important improvement ranged from 5 to 21 points giving trial sample size estimates of 25–100 participants. SarQoL scores were moderately correlated with handgrip (r = 0.37; p r = − 0.45; p r = 0.48; p r = 0.48; p Conclusions SarQoL has acceptable performance in older UK participants with probable sarcopenia and is sufficiently responsive for use in clinical trials for sarcopenia.

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions have significantly reduced population-wide physical activity (PA) levels. However, the impact of the pandemic and relevant restrictions on PA participation, and any potential barriers to it, in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not clear. Furthermore, we are unsure if any such PA changes have affected their body weight, mental wellbeing, and/or quality of life (QoL). Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of the lockdown on PA participation in people with RA, versus people without RA. Participants (n = 128; RA = 27, non-RA = 101) completed a self-administered online survey, which included questions on PA, body weight, mental wellbeing and QoL. PA participation during lockdown was significantly lower among RA versus non-RA participants (p

Objectives\ud \ud Peripheral muscle involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) may comprise myositis or a non-inflammatory myopathy. There is little understanding on the nature of SSc myopathy. This pilot study aimed to evaluate for the presence of diffuse fibrosis in the peripheral muscle of patients with SSc by determining extracellular volume (ECV) MRI measurement.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud SSc patients, with suspected myopathy or no muscle involvement, and healthy volunteers (HV) had native T1 and ECV MRI quantification of the thigh and creatine-kinase (CK) measured. Suspected myopathy was defined as current/history of minimally raised CK (

AIM: To assess whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based measurements of T2, fat fraction, diffusion tensor imaging, and muscle volume can detect differences between the muscles of myositis patients and healthy controls, and to identify how they compare with semi-quantitative MRI diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen myositis patients and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy controls underwent MRI of their thigh. Quantitative MRI measurements and radiologists' semi-quantitative scores were assessed. Strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: Fat fraction and T2 values were higher in myositis patients whereas muscle volume was lower compared to healthy controls. There was no difference in diffusion. Muscle strength was lower in myositis patients compared to healthy controls. In a subgroup of eight patients, scored as unaffected by radiologists, T2 values were still significantly higher in myositis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative MRI measurements can detect differences between myositis patients and healthy controls. Changes in the muscles of myositis patients, undetected by visual, semi-quantitative scoring, can be detected using quantitative T2 measurements. This suggests that MRI T2 values may be useful for the management of myositis patients.

Objective: To investigate muscle stiffness and strength in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy controls. Methods: A sample of 80 RA patients from three discrete groups: 1-newly diagnosed treatment-naïve RA (n = 29), 2-active RA for at least 1 year (n = 18) and 3-in remission RA for at least 1 year (n = 33), was compared to 40 healthy controls. Shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured using shear wave elastography as a surrogate for tissue stiffness in multiple muscles. All participants performed isometric grip strength, timed get-up-and-go test, 30-sec chair stand test and isokinetic knee extension/flexion(60°/sec). The difference in SWV amongst the groups was tested using one-way ANOVA, and the correlation between SWV and muscle strength results were calculated using Pearson's coefficients. Results: The mean age ± SD was 61.2 ± 12.8 for RA patients and 61.5 ± 10.5 years for controls. SWV was not significantly different amongst the groups on all muscles (p > 0.05). In comparison to controls, the new and active RA groups showed a significantly lower isokinetic strength by -29%(p = 0.013) and -28%(p = 0.040), fewer chair stands by -28%(p = 0.001) and -44%(p 0.05). Conclusions: Significant muscle weakness was demonstrated in patients with RA disease. However, muscle stiffness was normal and not associated with muscle strength.

Malaysia is one of the countries that has a rich diversity of underutilized fruits that grow wild in the region of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. One of them is Garcinia atroviridis or Asam gelugor. The crude extracts of the leaf and fruit possess predominantly antibacterial, antifungal, free-radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory activity and also reduces body weight. The use of Garcinia has been rapidly growing in the United States due to the desire of people to lose weight. Losing weight can be a challenge for many people. While most experts agree that a combination of proper diet and exercise is the best way to go, there are things that can be done to speed up the process. Herbs are good for speeding up the metabolism, aiding in digestion and energizing, so the output will be more intensity. Previous study found that aqueous extract of Garcinia atroviridis fruit significantly reduced the body weight of rats. Due to its potentiality to be developed as pharmaceutical and herbal medicine, this study was conducted to enhance the quality of herbal products produced through the research and development offered by FRIM. FRIM is very much concerned and aware of the implementation of three main aspects which are quality, safety and efficacy that is often emphasized by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) under the Food Safety & Quality Division and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) on herbal products marketed. The product development for formulating and producing capsule activities are initiated by looking into ethno-botanical information of herbal used, chemical and biological analysis, formulation of products and product performance and lastly IPQC testing and safety study. It is hoped that this study will produce herbal products with better quality as well as complying with the standards and able to penetrate into the global market.

Aim: To investigate muscle stiffness changes in patients treated for giant cell arteritis (GCA) with high‐dose oral glucocorticoids. Methods: Using ultrasound elastography, shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured in the quadriceps, hamstrings and biceps brachii muscles of 14 patients with GCA (4 male, mean age ± SD, 68.2 ± 4.3 years) within the first 2 weeks of initiating glucocorticoid treatment (baseline) and repeated after 3 and 6 months treatment. Muscle strength and performance tests were performed at each visit. Baseline measures were compared with those from 14 healthy controls. Linear mixed models were used to test for change in patient measures over time. Results: At baseline, muscle SWV in patients was not significantly different from controls. With glucocorticoid treatment, there was a reduction in SWV in the leg but not the arm muscles. SWV decreased by a mean of 14% (range 8.3%‐17.3%; P = .001) after 3 months and 18% (range 10.2%‐25.3%; P < .001) after 6‐months in the quadriceps and hamstrings during the resting position. The baseline, 3 and 6 months mean SWV (±SD) for the vastus lateralis were 1.62 ± 0.16 m/s, 1.40 ± 0.10 m/s and 1.31 ± 0.06 m/s, respectively (P < .001). In the patient group as a whole, there was no significant change in muscle strength. However, there were moderate correlations (r = .54‐.69) between exhibiting weaker muscle strength at follow‐up visits and a greater reduction in SWV. Conclusion: Glucocorticoid therapy in patients with GCA was associated with a significant reduction in proximal leg muscle stiffness during the first 6 months. Future research should study a larger sample of patients for a longer duration to investigate if diminished muscle stiffness precedes signs of glucocorticoid‐induced myopathy.

Objectives: To compare comorbidities in a cohort of cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody positive patients without or prior to onset of inflammatory arthritis (IA) to those in patients with early IA. Methods: Baseline data from two established cohorts were used. The first recruited people at risk of IA: CCP antibody positive cases without IA (CCP Cohort, n = 296). The second cohort [the Inflammatory Arthritis CONtinuum study (IACON)] recruited patients with early IA (n = 725). Proportions of patients with given comorbidities were compared between cohorts and then logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) for the CCP cohort having specific comorbidities, compared to IACON patients. Analyses adjusted for gender, age, smoking status, and body mass index. Results: Patients from the CCP cohort were younger (mean age 50, compared to 53 years). The proportion of patients with at least one comorbidity was higher in the IACON than the CCP cohort: (40% compared to 24%, respectively). Results of logistic regression analyses suggested the odds of hypertension, taking a lipid-lowering agent, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung disease, and diabetes were not increased in either cohort. However, patients in the CCP cohort were more likely to be taking an antidepressant (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.03, 2.56, p = 0.037). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in comorbidities among people with CCP antibodies but without IA, compared to those of patients with established IA.

What is already known about this subject? Nail involvement is part of the clinical spectrum of psoriatic arthritis and responds to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. What does this study add? This small study assessed patients with psoriatic arthritis with nail disease and active distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthritis before and after 6 months of TNF inhibitor treatment. Persistent inflammatory changes in and around the DIP joint were seen on follow-up MRI scans despite a good clinical response. How might this impact on clinical practice? Further studies are needed to see whether these inflammatory changes resolve with a longer duration of treatment or relate to radiographic progression of the arthritis.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, relationship between and predictors of clinical and imaging remission in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), achieved with treat-to-target management in clinical practice. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in patients with new-onset RA. The treatment target was remission by disease activity score (DAS28-CRP

Many parents of children with disabilities in Singapore have enrolled their children in school settings. Local literature is however lacking on what parents would like their children to learn at school. This pilot study examined parental perspectives on how much they valued three different curriculum skill areas for their young children with disabilities: functional academics, functional life skills, and social relationship skills. In addition, parents were asked to indicate whether they expected priority skill items within the three curriculum areas to be performed with assistance or independently. Results indicate differences in the parents' ratings of the curriculum skill areas. Parental expectations of their children's performance of priority skills across the curriculum areas also differed. Implications are discussed concerning parental input into curriculum, teachers' collaboration with parents to address curricular issues, and directions for research and practice.

The product development phase of a single processor design from inception till production is an extremely long process taking up to ∼4 years per cycle. Along the way, numerous tools have been developed for pre-silicon performance prediction in order to forecast the yield, power and frequency of the product. These data are critical in order for product and resource planning to be carried out efficiently. However, with the ever changing market trends, we can rarely predict with great accuracy the desired performance range or feature set which is currently in demand. Therefore, there is a dire need for a systematic and effective method of post-silicon predictive analysis with regards to silicon performance parameters such as power, frequency/level and yield. Prediction based on post-silicon measured data are often more accurate (albeit heuristic) if compared to pre-silicon predictions. With the availability of a post-silicon based performance model, ad-hoc predictive analysis can be carried out for a variety of performance configurations without the need of having to carry out a full scale volume characterization on the silicon.

Vietnamese Americans are a rapidly growing minority group in the United States, yet little is known about their health status. Chronic medical conditions and self-rated health of older Vietnamese Americans were compared with those of non-Hispanic white adults living in California using the 2001 and 2003 California Health Interview Surveys (CHISs). The CHIS employed a random-digit-dial telephone survey, and its sample is representative of California's noninstitutionalized population. The sample included 359 Vietnamese and 25,177 non-Hispanic white adults aged 55 and older. Vietnamese and non-Hispanic white adults were compared in terms of limitations in activities of daily living, chronic medical conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, asthma), mental health care, and self-reported health, adjusting for age, sex, and education. Vietnamese were more likely than white participants to report needing help for mental health problems (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.4-3.1) but less likely to have had their medical providers discuss their mental health problems with them (aOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.1-0.5). In addition, Vietnamese participants reported significantly worse health than white adults on five of eight domains of the Medical Outcomes Survery 12-item Short Form survey (P

Nature of science (NOS) is becoming a core component of both science education research and curriculum policy around the globe. In particular, how textbooks should portray NOS aspects have been of keen interest to science educators. This chapter outlines the background and motivations for Korea’s new compulsory subject, scientific inquiry and experimentation (SIE), and analyses how textbooks for this subject present NOS aspects using historical episodes. The aim is to help textbook authors and policymakers by examining the opportunities and challenges of Korea’s new NOS curricular initiative. The results indicate that textbooks tend to focus on the cognitive and epistemic characteristics of science, with limited representation of social and institutional NOS aspects. While textbooks often included multiple NOS aspects that underlie each historical episode, in most cases these aspects were implicitly addressed without proper cues for students’ reflection about them. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for textbook authors and science teachers.