scholarly journals Our Evolving Understanding of ME/CFS

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Friedman ◽  
Modra Murovska ◽  
Derek F. H. Pheby ◽  
Paweł Zalewski
Keyword(s):  
Active Phase ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Biochemical Pathways ◽  
Patient Organizations ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Uk

The potential benefits of the scientific insights gleaned from years of treating ME/CFS for the emerging symptoms of COVID-19, and in particular Longhaul- or Longhauler-COVID-19 are discussed in this opinion article. Longhaul COVID-19 is the current name being given to the long-term sequelae (symptoms lasting beyond 6 weeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multiple case definitions for ME/CFS exist, but post-exertional malaise (PEM) is currently emerging as the ‘hallmark’ symptom. The inability to identify a unique trigger of ME/CFS, as well as the inability to identify a specific, diagnostic laboratory test, led many physicians to conclude that the illness was psychosomatic or non-existent. However, recent research in the US and the UK, championed by patient organizations and their use of the internet and social media, suggest underlying pathophysiologies, e.g., oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. The similarity and overlap of ME/CFS and Longhaul COVID-19 symptoms suggest to us similar pathological processes. We put forward a unifying hypothesis that explains the precipitating events such as viral triggers and other documented exposures: For their overlap in symptoms, ME/CFS and Longhaul COVID-19 should be described as Post Active Phase of Infection Syndromes (PAPIS). We further propose that the underlying biochemical pathways and pathophysiological processes of similar symptoms are similar regardless of the initiating trigger. Exploration of the biochemical pathways and pathophysiological processes should yield effective therapies for these conditions and others that may exhibit these symptoms. ME/CFS patients have suffered far too long. Longhaul COVD-19 patients should not be subject to a similar fate. We caution that failure to meet the now combined challenges of ME/CFS and Longhaul COVID-19 will impose serious socioeconomic as well as clinical consequences for patients, the families of patients, and society as a whole.

An exploratory study of intangibles risk disclosure in annual reports of banking companies from the UK, US, Germany and Italy - Some descriptive insights

2013 ◽  
pp. 81-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Durst
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Risk Disclosure ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
The Uk

Intangibles are viewed as the key drivers in most industries, and current research shows that firms voluntarily disclose information about their investments in intangibles and their potential benefits. Yet little is known of the risks relating to such resources and the disclosures firms make about such risks. In order to obtain a more balanced and complete picture of firms' activities, information about the risky side of their intangibles is also needed. This exploratory study provides some descriptive insights into intangibles-related risk disclosure in a sample of 16 large banks from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Germany and Italy. Annual report data is analyzed using the three Intellectual Capital dimensions. Study findings illustrate the variety of intangibles-related risk disclosure as demonstrated by the banks involved.

scholarly journals Implementation Strategies for Improving Vitamin D Status and Increasing Vitamin D Intake in the UK: Current Controversies and Future Perspectives. Proceedings of the 2nd Rank Prize Funds Forum on Vitamin D

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-60
Author(s):  
J.L. Buttriss ◽  
S.A. Lanham-New ◽  
S. Steenson ◽  
L. Levy ◽  
G.E. Swan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Modelling Studies ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
The Uk

Abstract A multi-disciplinary expert group met to discuss vitamin D deficiency in the UK, and strategies for improving population intakes and status. Changes to UK Government advice since the 1st Rank Forum on Vitamin D (2009) were discussed, including rationale for setting a RNI (10µg/day;400IU/day) for adults and children (4+ years). Current UK data show inadequate intakes among all age groups, and high prevalence of low vitamin D status among specific groups (e.g. pregnant women and adolescent males/females). Evidence of widespread deficiency within some minority ethnic groups, resulting in nutritional rickets (particularly among Black and South Asian infants), raised particular concern. It is too early to establish whether population vitamin D status has altered since Government recommendations changed in 2016. Vitamin D food fortification was discussed as a potential strategy to increase population intakes. Data from dose-response and dietary modelling studies indicate dairy products, bread, hens’ eggs and some meats as potential fortification vehicles. Vitamin D3 appears more effective than vitamin D2 for raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, which has implications for choice of fortificant. Other considerations for successful fortification strategies include: i) need for ‘real-world’ cost information for use in modelling work; ii) supportive food legislation; iii) improved consumer and health professional understanding of vitamin D’s importance; iv) clinical consequences of inadequate vitamin D status; v) consistent communication of Government advice across health/social care professions, and via the food industry. These areas urgently require further research to enable universal improvement in vitamin D intakes and status in the UK population.

scholarly journals Post Occupancy Evaluation of School Refurbishment Projects: Multiple Case Study in the UK

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Hamad Ahmed ◽  
David J. Edwards ◽  
Joseph H. K. Lai ◽  
Chris Roberts ◽  
Caleb Debrah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Client Satisfaction ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Inductive Reasoning ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Philosophical Approach ◽  
Post Occupancy Evaluation ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Building Project

Buildings inevitably deteriorate with time. Schools buildings are no exception and require refurbishment at times. Despite the UK Government announcing the £1 billion funding for rebuilding 50 schools over 10 years starting 2010–2021, it is common practice for builders and designers to, upon completion of a building project, move on to the next development without considering how the completed building performs. This research undertakes a post occupancy evaluation (POE) of three schools in the West Midlands, UK with specific focus on building services, viz., heating, lighting, and air conditioning and ventilation. The research adopted a mixed philosophical approach of interpretivism and post-positivism to conduct inductive reasoning. A questionnaire that collected both quantitative and qualitative primary data was distributed to the end-users of the schools. Data was analysed using the Cronbach’s alpha, one sample t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test to identify any differences between the questionnaire responses. Findings revealed that building users demanded greater control of the internal environment thus contradicting the current trend for automated ‘intelligent systems’ approaches. This research represents the first work to consider the contractor’s perspective towards developing a better understanding of client satisfaction with the school buildings. Moreover, the POE result represents a notable pragmatic advancement to knowledge that will influence the contractor’s knowledge and understanding of client satisfaction, and where to improve upon these.

Constructed wetlands in UK urban surface drainage systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Shutes ◽  
J.B. Ellis ◽  
D.M. Revitt ◽  
L.N.L. Scholes
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Design Criteria ◽  
Road Runoff ◽  
Agenda 21 ◽  
Drainage Systems ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Guidance Documents ◽  
Environment Agency ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk

This paper presents the outcome of an inventory of planted wetland systems in the UK which are classified according to land use type and are all examples of sustainable drainage systems. The introduction of constructed wetlands to treat surface runoff essentially followed a 1997 Environment Agency for England and Wales report advocating the use of “soft engineered” facilities including wetlands in the context of sustainable development and Agenda 21. Subsequently published reports by the UK Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) have promoted the potential benefits to both developer and the community of adopting constructed wetlands and other vegetated systems as a sustainable drainage approach. In addition, the UK Environment Agency and Highways Agency (HA) have recently published their own design criteria and requirements for vegetative control and treatment of road runoff. A case study of the design and performance of a constructed wetland system for the treatment of road runoff is discussed. The performance of these systems will be assessed in terms of their design criteria, runoff loadings as well as vegetation and structure maintenance procedures. The differing design approaches in guidance documents published in the UK by the Environment Agency, CIRIA and HA will also be evaluated.

scholarly journals Prevalence and cardiometabolic correlates of ketohexokinase gene variants among UK Biobank participants

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247683
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Johnston ◽  
David R. Nelson ◽  
Pallav Bhatnagar ◽  
Sarah E. Curtis ◽  
Yu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Compound Heterozygous ◽  
Gene Variants ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Recessive Condition ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Autosomal Recessive Condition ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Uk

Essential fructosuria (EF) is a benign, asymptomatic, autosomal recessive condition caused by loss-of-function variants in the ketohexokinase gene and characterized by intermittent appearance of fructose in the urine. Despite a basic understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of EF, relatively little is known about the long-term clinical consequences of ketohexokinase gene variants. We examined the frequency of ketohexokinase variants in the UK Biobank sample and compared the cardiometabolic profiles of groups of individuals with and without these variants alone or in combination. Study cohorts consisted of groups of participants defined based on the presence of one or more of the five ketohexokinase gene variants tested for in the Affymetrix assays used by the UK Biobank. The rs2304681:G>A (p.Val49Ile) variant was present on more than one-third (36.8%) of chromosomes; other variant alleles were rare (<1%). No participants with the compound heterozygous genotype present in subjects exhibiting the EF phenotype in the literature (Gly40Arg/Ala43Thr) were identified. The rs2304681:G>A (p.Val49Ile), rs41288797 (p.Val188Met), and rs114353144 (p.Val264Ile) variants were more common in white versus non-white participants. Otherwise, few statistically or clinically significant differences were observed after adjustment for multiple comparisons. These findings reinforce the current understanding of EF as a rare, benign, autosomal recessive condition.

scholarly journals E-Commerce Adoption and Growth of SMEs in Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Wanzu Ibrahim ◽  
Peter Turyakira ◽  
Proscovia M. Katumba
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Global Markets ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly e-Commerce, are considered very important to the growth and competitiveness of businesses globally. SMEs too need to embrace innovative e-commerce strategies if they are to stay competitive, profitable and successful in local and global markets. Increased use of the Internet offers potential benefits to SMEs, such as cost reduction, improved operational efficiencies, access to new customers and enhanced business growth. However, SMEs, particularly in Uganda, have generally been slow in adopting e-commerce. Empirical research into the challenges SMEs in Uganda face in adopting electronic commerce is also limited. This study sought to explore the factors affecting e-commerce adoption among SMEs; and to establish the influence of e-commerce adoption on SMEs&rsquo; growth in Uganda. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 172 owners/managers of SMEs in the Kampala District in Uganda. The empirical results of this study indicate that e-commerce adoption significantly influence the growth of SMEs.

scholarly journals Retrospective screening of routine respiratory samples revealed undetected community transmission and missed intervention opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph G. Chappell ◽  
Theocharis Tsoleridis ◽  
Gemma Clark ◽  
Louise Berry ◽  
Nadine Holmes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Data ◽  
Infected Individual ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
High Risk Area ◽  
Epidemiological Risk ◽  
Distinct Lineage ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Archival Specimens

In the early phases of the SARS coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, testing focused on individuals fitting a strict case definition involving a limited set of symptoms together with an identified epidemiological risk, such as contact with an infected individual or travel to a high-risk area. To assess whether this impaired our ability to detect and control early introductions of the virus into the UK, we PCR-tested archival specimens collected on admission to a large UK teaching hospital who retrospectively were identified as having a clinical presentation compatible with COVID-19. In addition, we screened available archival specimens submitted for respiratory virus diagnosis, and dating back to early January 2020, for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our data provides evidence for widespread community circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in early February 2020 and into March that was undetected at the time due to restrictive case definitions informing testing policy. Genome sequence data showed that many of these early cases were infected with a distinct lineage of the virus. Sequences obtained from the first officially recorded case in Nottinghamshire - a traveller returning from Daegu, South Korea – also clustered with these early UK sequences suggesting acquisition of the virus occurred in the UK and not Daegu. Analysis of a larger sample of sequences obtained in the Nottinghamshire area revealed multiple viral introductions, mainly in late February and through March. These data highlight the importance of timely and extensive community testing to prevent future widespread transmission of the virus.

Improving access to adult vaccination: a tool for healthy ageing

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Scrutton ◽  
David Sinclair ◽  
Trinley Walker
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how access to vaccination for older people in the UK can be both improved and used as a tool for healthy ageing. Design/methodology/approach – ILC-UK released a report “Adult Immunisation in the UK”, which applied a UK perspective to a 2013 Supporting Active Ageing Through Immunisation (SAATI) report on immunisation. The ILC report combined the SAATI findings with a traditional literature review, a policy review incorporating grey literature and the outcomes of a focus group discussion. This paper highlights the key findings of the ILC-UK report. Findings – Vaccination needs to be included as part of proactive strategies to promote healthy and active ageing. Initiatives need to be explored that increase the rate of delivery of vaccinations. Barriers to the vaccination of health and social care professionals working with older people need to be removed. The government should explore using psychological insights into human behaviour to improve the take-up of vaccinations amongst adults. The range of settings where older people can receive vaccination needs to be expanded. Information on the potential benefits of immunisation should be made readily available and easily accessible to older people. Practical implications – The paper calls for a structural shift in how vaccination services in the UK are organised. Social implications – The paper calls for a cultural shift in how society views immunisation and the role it has to play in the healthy ageing process. Originality/value – The paper uses new European research on immunisation and applies it to the UK's situation.

Building back smarter—part three: placing modular facilities in a resource-limited healthcare system

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Isobel Clough
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare System ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Current State ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Physical Spaces

Land should be one of the greatest assets of the UK healthcare system, as a result of its large estates portfolio. Howere, the current state of many of the NHS's buildings means that physical spaces are often more of a burden, with maintenance backlogs costing billions. However, as a resource-limited public institution, it is crucial that all investments into NHS infrastructure are as effective and future-proof as possible. The previous two articles in this series have focused on the potential benefits of modular facilities to healthcare staff, services and patients, drawing on case studies of NHS trusts that have implemented modular facilities on their sites. This article, the third and final instalment of this series, discusses the health economic impact of current NHS infrastructure, and explores the ways in which modular facilities could provide a flexible and cost-effective means of expanding capacity and improving services in a resource-limited environment.

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