Targeting ferroptosis and oxidative stress: Ipomoea pes-caprae-synthesized selenium nanoparticles accelerate healing in infected wounds via Nrf2/HO-1 activation.

This study was designed to uncover the therapeutic potential of Ipomoea pes-caprae extract (IPE) and its green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) in enhancing the healing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wounds in rats, with a focus on the modulation of ferroptosis and the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The HPLC analysis of IPE revealed 14 phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds. The green-synthesized Se NPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy with peaks at 233 and 277 nm, confirming nanoparticle formation. The XRD indicated a nanocrystalline structure with an average crystallite size of 68.43 nm. The FTIR identified functional groups from the IPE involved in capping and stabilizing the Se NPs. The SEM and TEM images showed predominantly spherical particles, while EDX confirmed elemental selenium alongside carbon and oxygen, indicating phytochemical-mediated synthesis. The DLS measured a hydrodynamic size of 273.76 ± 0.31 nm with a low polydispersity index (0.202 ± 0.014). Also, the zeta potential analysis showed a value of −26.42 ± 0.35 mV, suggesting strong colloidal stability. These results validate the successful green synthesis of stable and nanoscale Se NPs using IPE. An in vivo infected wound model was triggered in rats. Colorimetric, ELISA, and qRT-PCR methods to measure different biochemical markers. It was found that the Se NPs upregulated the expression of GPX4, ferritin, and HO-1, while downregulating PTGS2 and ACSL4, indicating effective suppression of ferroptosis. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated enhanced Nrf2 and Ki-67 expression in the Se NPs-treated group, suggesting improved antioxidant activity and cellular proliferation. A computational network pharmacology analysis was also performed, and it revealed that the phytochemicals in IPE considerably enhanced wound healing, lessened oxidative stress, and modulated ferroptosis-related markers. In conclusion, the biosynthesized Se NPs exhibited superior wound healing potential via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-ferroptotic mechanisms

Hidden costs of diagnostic mistakes: A descriptive study of guilt, shame, and scapegoating among sonographers practising in the United Kingdom

Introduction Mistakes are part of ultrasound practice, but the emotional impact of mistakes on sonographers remains poorly understood. This study explored the emotional consequences of mistakes among UK sonographers and identified strategies to mitigate their effects. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the UK from December 2024 to February 2025. Fifty-three sonographers were recruited through professional networks and member platforms. The survey, hosted on the JISC platform, included quantitative items and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests in SPSS 28, while qualitative data were coded thematically using Braun and Clarke's framework in NVivo 12. Results Thirty-nine respondents reported at least one diagnostic-type error at some point in the past year. Mistakes occurred across all settings (p = 0.107) and experience levels (p = 0.624). Guilt (45.3 %), shame (25 %), and perceptions of scapegoating (33.3 %) were common. Most participants (69 %) reported receiving emotional support after making mistakes (N = 52; no response = 1). Coping strategies varied, though none were significantly associated with setting or experience (p > 0.05). Four themes emerged from qualitative analysis: workplace culture and interpersonal dynamics, emotional and psychological impact, reporting and learning from Mistakes, and recommended support and mitigation strategies. Conclusion Diagnostic mistakes are common and emotionally challenging for sonographers. Existing institutional responses are perceived as insufficient. A just culture that prioritises psychological safety, non-punitive reporting, prompt debriefing, and access to counselling supports staff wellbeing, retention, and patient safety. Implications for practice Organisations must move beyond policy statements and provide confidential, non-punitive reporting pathways, easily accessible psychological support, and managers trained in empathetic communication to ensure responses to mistakes prioritise learning rather than fault

Understanding the facilitators and barriers to sonographers' research engagement: A systematic review

Introduction Research engagement is central to evidence-based clinical ultrasound practice, and a component of advanced clinical practice pillars. Despite increasing policy emphasis and interventions, sonographers remain underrepresented in research activity. This systematic review aimed to identify the extent of sonographers’ research interest and engagement, and to explore facilitators and barriers influencing research participation and utilisation. Methods A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. Systematic searches were carried out across four key databases, supplemented by manual searches of relevant journals, to identify quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies exploring sonographers’ engagement in research. The Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD) was used for critical appraisal. A results-based convergent synthesis was then performed to integrate the qualitative and quantitative findings. Results Seven studies (617 participants) met inclusion criteria. Sonographers demonstrate high awareness and interest in research (up to 68.5 %), but only one-third were active researchers. Key barriers included lack of protected research time, limited research skill/experience, insufficient organisational and professional support, restricted funding access, and a perceived lack of authority to implement findings. Facilitators included career development goals, scientific curiosity, research-oriented leadership, peer support, and access to mentorship or formal training. Conclusion Institutional and professional efforts are needed to promote sonographers’ research engagement. Enhanced mentorship/training, improved funding, embedding research into role specifications, and protected time are essential to bridge the interest–participation gap and build research capacity. Implications for practice Implementing targeted policy support and strategic initiatives—such as funding and training programmes for sonographer-focused research—can improve job satisfaction, increase engagement, and facilitate evidence-informed practice

The Theatre of Laura Wade

This is the first full-length exploration of the work of Laura Wade, providing critical and performance perspectives on one of the UK's most frequently staged female playwrights. Laura Wade is one of the most exciting, challenging and commercially successful playwrights in the UK. Her work has been widely translated and performed across the globe, but despite the prolific appearance of her plays on professional stages, in university studios and school classrooms, she is a writer who is yet to have a book dedicated to her award-winning oeuvre. Throughout the volume, key creative practitioners add rehearsal room insight, alongside the perspective of Laura Wade herself and a foreword by Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Regular collaborators Harvey, Katherine Parkinson, Lyndsey Turner and Samuel West provide perspectives on Wade's work, including the Olivier Award-winning Home, I'm Darling, the frequently staged Alice and her inventive adaptation of The Watsons. Actor Natalie Dormer also provides new insights which connect together Posh and the subsequent film adaptation, The Riot Club. Teachers, lecturers and theatre-makers are given resources to explore Wade's plays in detail, including Posh, with key thoughts from the original production's director as well as Cressida Carré, director of the first all-female staging in 2017. Those working with the increasingly popular early plays, Breathing Corpses, Colder than Here and Other Hands, have access to fresh scholarship deconstructing the narrative ingenuity and dark themes contained within. Each chapter draws attention to a range of international and performance contexts from which the plays can be explored.</p

Lunch Provision, Consumption and Plate Waste in Early Years Settings in Sheffield

Food provision in early years settings (EYS) presents an opportunity to support healthy eating amongst young children. This study aimed to record and nutritionally analyse setting lunches provided for, consumed and wasted by 3- to 4-year-old children attending EYS in Sheffield, England, including a comparison to packed lunches. Lunch choices were recorded for participating children, along with weights of foods served and any leftovers. A total of 142 setting lunches were recorded, eaten by 46 children attending four of eight recruited EYS. Lunches included vegetables (83.8%) more often than fruit (59.2%), and on average provided sufficient energy, carbohydrate, fibre, protein, vitamins A and C, calcium, iodine and zinc, but insufficient iron. Free sugars and saturated fat, but not sodium, were higher than recommended. Children left 22% of food served on their plate, and consumption of energy, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc was lower than recommended. Food and nutrient contents were also compared to 185 packed lunches eaten by 67 children from eight settings. Setting lunches contained less food (median 288 g) than packed lunches (median 321 g, p < 0.001) and were more likely to meet guidelines for free sugars (p < 0.001), saturated fat (p < 0.001), vitamin A (p = 0.034), vitamin C (p < 0.001) and sodium (p < 0.001) but less frequently provided sufficient fibre (p = 0.025), calcium (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001) and zinc (p < 0.001). Setting lunches were more nutritionally balanced than packed lunches. However, to maximise EYS potential contribution to children's diets, settings must have access to support to both provide sufficiently nutrient-dense meals and encourage children to eat them. Summary Setting lunches were generally well-balanced in foods provided, but less commonly included fruit than vegetables. On average, setting lunches provided appropriate energy and carbohydrate, and sufficient protein, fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iodine and zinc, but insufficient iron. Free sugars and saturated fat, but not sodium, were above recommended maximums. Children left 22% of the food served to them. Consumption of energy, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc was therefore lower than recommended. Packed lunches contained more food than setting lunches and were more energy-dense, providing twice the free sugars, saturated fat and sodium than setting lunches

Writing beyond the academy: towards tasks that promote genre knowledge and transfer across contexts

Despite increasing expectations for scholars to communicate their research to the public, and the advanced communicative skills this expectation requires, research in genre pedagogy has almost exclusively targeted academic writing. Our aim was to design and trial a “multi-genre task”, a task sequence that incorporates working with academic and outreach genres concurrently. This task combined examples of two genres tied to different social contexts (a blog post and an abstract), comparison and reflection, and guided practice. Doctoral students in the UK and Sweden completed the task. Textual analysis of task responses showed that participants reformulated and recontextualised their writing – from academic to outreach and vice versa – on the content, lexical, grammatical and structural level. Interview data revealed that the task fostered the development of genre-specific knowledge, genre awareness, and prompted metacognitive insights on the students’ own writing. Our study provides new evidence of the dynamics behind the development of genre knowledge and awareness, recontextualization abilities across genres and contexts, as well as a task that promotes transfer

How is dysfunctional breathing characterised in the clinical literature? A scoping review.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing (DB) is a complex condition that affects health and quality of life. It can occur alone or with other conditions and presents with various symptoms. Despite its prevalence, there is no consensus among healthcare professionals on its definition, diagnosis, or classification. Aims & Methods This scoping review aimed to explore how dysfunctional breathing is characterised across the literature. To achieve this, a comprehensive search strategy was employed, covering both peer-reviewed and grey literature from relevant academic databases and websites. Results Seventy one relevant sources published between 2001 to 2024 were identified resulting in 6 key themes. These consisted of ‘Defining DB’ (69% of studies), ‘Diagnosing and Assessing DB’ (86%), ‘Symptoms and Dimensions’ (87%), ‘Comorbidities’ (64%),’ Psychophysiological Links’ (43%), and ‘Classification’ (50%). Conclusion There are inconsistencies in the terminology, assessment methods, and classification systems used to describe (DB). This highlights a lack of standardisation across the literature. The use of multiple, and at times overlapping, definitions for the same condition poses a significant challenge for clinical decision-making and treatment planning. To address these issues, future research should prioritise achieving consensus across these domains acknowledging the multidimensional nature of the condition

“Turning around an oil tanker”: Recommendations for a safeguarding program in football

Despite increasing awareness and reports of wrongdoing in sports such as professional football there remains a lack of safeguarding education targeted at adults to address this behavior. Thus, there is a need to develop safeguarding education programs based on the experiential knowledge of adults in football. The present study explored knowledge users' recommendations, as a means to co-produce a safeguarding education program to address maltreatment in football. Guided by a social constructivist approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 safeguarding and welfare personnel (nine who identified as females and ten as males) who work within British clubs and organizations ranging from English Premier League (EPL) through to the English Northern Premier League Division One. The participants’ roles ranged from Chief Executive Officer; Vice Chairman; General Counsel; Club Development Officer; Head of Safeguarding; Designated Safeguarding Officer; Safeguarding Case Officer; Academy Safeguarding Manager; Head of Education and Welfare; Player Care and Welfare Officer; Head of Education and Player Care, and Coach. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, knowledge users discussed shaping safeguarding education in professional football, and the best way to deliver safeguarding education. Knowledge users highlighted the need for safeguarding programs to be designed and delivered at individual, club, and systemic levels to be effective. Furthermore, these programs need to be underpinned by a cultural intervention to safeguarding education in professional football. From a research perspective, the present findings emphasize the value of collaborating with underrepresented groups to create meaningful change in safeguarding in sport. Lastly, the present study provides the foundation for future research to evaluate the effectiveness of a safeguarding education program in football in practice

Capturing homeostatic behaviour in elite football teams: synchronisation tendencies of cooperative and oppositional dynamics

This study, investigating the collective homeostasis model, explores the importance of understanding both individual and collective behaviours in analysis of team performance in sport. Rooted in ecological dynamics, this model views collective behaviours in sports teams as a homeostatic process, with structural integrity of performance empowered through synergistic actions at multiple levels. At the microlevel, players interact with their nearest teammates (at a mesolevel) through n-ary interpersonal relations, producing complex behaviours or synergetic patterns observable at the macrolevel. These patterns, and their level of synchronisation, reflect microscopic homeostatic regulation, directly impacting team stability. Here, we sought to capture micro homeostasis effects (reflected in the mesolevel of behaviours) in football teams by analysing synchronisation tendencies of simplice structures, regulated by information that emerges on players’ angles and distance to goal. Frequency of simplice patterning during a game, the influence of ball possession and effects of size and type of simplices on synchronisation tendencies are all crucial to understanding how collective homeostasis is regulated within a competitive sports team, mirroring the synergistic processes that underpin effective teamwork