162 research outputs found
Caregiver burden and therapeutic needs in Dravet syndrome - a national UK cross-sectional questionnaire study
Background and objectives:
Dravet Syndrome is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with significant care needs for affected individuals and families. Our objective was to characterise the caregiver burden and therapeutic needs of families caring for an individual with Dravet Syndrome from child to adulthood, to examine age related differences in co-morbidities, and identify current gaps in health and social care.
Methods:
Cross-sectional national survey conducted by the patient advocacy group Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) emailed to registered families caring for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of Dravet syndrome. To characterise the sample, quantitative data on demographics, diagnostic journey, co-morbidities, therapies, healthcare utilisation, social care and funding, and impact on family life were collected. Qualitative data were analysed using grounded theory to develop a model of impact and service need.
Results:
165 out of 381 families (43%) responded. 90% of adult Dravet syndrome patients waited >12 months to receive a diagnosis, compared to 25% families with a young child (p<0.001). 96% reported intellectual disability as co-morbidity, more frequently observed in older Dravet syndrome individuals (p<0.001), alongside autism/autistic-like symptoms (χ2=15.3, df=3 p=0.001) and scoliosis (χ2=28.4, df=3, p<0.001). Sleep problems are associated with greater impact on caregiver’s mental well-being (χ2=13.2, df=2, p<0.001). 77% of families wished more discussions about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and 50% rated the paediatric to adult transition experience as ‘poor’. 90% of caregivers were unable to continue working as normal with negative impact on their quality of life (p=0.024) and mental well-being (p=0.007).
Discussion:
Families are profoundly impacted by Dravet syndrome. Their experience changes over time as people with Dravet syndrome become older and present with increasing levels of health, cognitive and behavioural comorbidities. Families will benefit from improved communication with health care professionals, psychosocial interventions and better access to social care
Cysteinyl-tRNA Deacylation Can Be Uncoupled from Protein Synthesis
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are critical components of protein translation, providing ribosomes with aminoacyl-tRNAs. In return, ribosomes release uncharged tRNAs as ARS substrates. Here, we show that tRNA deacylation can be uncoupled from protein synthesis in an amino acid specific manner. While tRNAs coupled to radiolabeled Met, Leu Lys, or Ser are stable in cells following translation inhibition with arsenite, radiolabeled Cys is released from tRNA at a high rate. We discuss possible translation independent functions for tRNACys
Direct synthesis of amides from nonactivated carboxylic acids using urea as nitrogen source and Mg(NO₃)₂ or imidazole as catalysts
A new method for the direct synthesis of primary and secondary amides from carboxylic acids is described using Mg(NO3)2·6H2O or imidazole as a low-cost and readily available catalyst, and urea as a stable, and easy to manipulate nitrogen source. This methodology is particularly useful for the direct synthesis of primary and methyl amides avoiding the use of ammonia and methylamine gas which can be tedious to manipulate. Furthermore, the transformation does not require the employment of coupling or activating agents which are commonly required
Factors associated with spontaneous stone passage in a contemporary cohort of patients presenting with acute ureteric colic. Results from the MIMIC Study (A Multi-centre cohort study evaluating the role of Inflammatory Markers in patients presenting with acute ureteric Colic)
Objectives
There is conflicting data on the role of white blood cell count (WBC) and other inflammatory markers in spontaneous stone passage in patients with acute ureteric colic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of WBC and other routinely collected inflammatory and clinical markers including stone size, stone position and Medically Expulsive Therapy use (MET) with spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with acute ureteric colic.
Subjects and Methods
Multi‐centre retrospective cohort study coordinated by the British Urology Researchers in Surgical Training (BURST) Research Collaborative at 71 secondary care hospitals across 4 countries (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand). 4170 patients presented with acute ureteric colic and a computer tomography confirmed single ureteric stone. Our primary outcome measure was SSP as defined by the absence of need for intervention to assist stone passage. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between key patient factors and SSP.
Results
2518 patients were discharged with conservative management and had further follow up with a SSP rate of 74% (n = 1874/2518). Sepsis after discharge with conservative management was reported in 0.6% (n = 16/2518). On multivariable analysis neither WBC, Neutrophils or CRP were seen to predict SSP, with an adjusted OR of 0.97 [95% CI 0.91 to 1.04, p = 0.38], 1.06 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.13, p = 0.1] and 1.00 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.00, p = 0.17], respectively. Medical expulsive therapy (MET) also did not predict SSP [adjusted OR 1.11 [95% CI 0.76 to 1.61]). However, stone size and stone position were significant predictors. SSP for stones 7mm. For stones in the upper ureter the SSP rate was 52% [95% CI 48 to 56], middle ureter was 70% [95% CI 64 to 76], and lower ureter was 83% [95% CI 81 to 85].
Conclusion
In contrast to the previously published literature, we found that in patients with acute ureteric colic who are discharged with initial conservative management, neither WBC, Neutrophil count or CRP help determine the likelihood of spontaneous stone passage. We also found no overall benefit from the use of MET. Stone size and position are important predictors and our findings represent the most comprehensive stone passage rates for each mm increase in stone size from a large contemporary cohort adjusting for key potential confounders. We anticipate that these data will aid clinicians managing patients with acute ureteric colic and help guide management decisions and the need for intervention
Multiplatform Analysis of 12 Cancer Types Reveals Molecular Classification within and across Tissues of Origin
Recent genomic analyses of pathologically-defined tumor types identify “within-a-tissue” disease subtypes. However, the extent to which genomic signatures are shared across tissues is still unclear. We performed an integrative analysis using five genome-wide platforms and one proteomic platform on 3,527 specimens from 12 cancer types, revealing a unified classification into 11 major subtypes. Five subtypes were nearly identical to their tissue-of-origin counterparts, but several distinct cancer types were found to converge into common subtypes. Lung squamous, head & neck, and a subset of bladder cancers coalesced into one subtype typified by TP53 alterations, TP63 amplifications, and high expression of immune and proliferation pathway genes. Of note, bladder cancers split into three pan-cancer subtypes. The multi-platform classification, while correlated with tissue-of-origin, provides independent information for predicting clinical outcomes. All datasets are available for data-mining from a unified resource to support further biological discoveries and insights into novel therapeutic strategies
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