rib Kazakhstan looks to neighbours to realise agribusiness ambitions By master-7rqtwti-2nwxk3tn3ebiq.eu-2.platformsh.site Published On :: Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:00:56 +0100 The development of its agribusiness sector is one of Kazakhstan’s key priorities, and a first wave of foreign investors from Europe and Asia is looking at the country as a base to supply major markets in the regions. Full Article
rib Insight – Budget 2022–23: Implications for the agribusiness and food sectors By www.austrade.gov.au Published On :: Fri, 07 Jul 2023 02:00:00 GMT The Government aims to build a “more resilient, more inclusive and more modern” economy. For Austrade’s work, the Government focus on addressing climate change, strengthening ties with strategic partners, diversifying trade and investment, and First Nations people, continues. Full Article Insights
rib EWC Researchers Contribute to New Study That Reveals the Increasing Threat from Cumulative Climate Hazards By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Sat, 17 Nov 2018 00:21:10 +0000 EWC Researchers Contribute to New Study That Reveals the Increasing Threat from Cumulative Climate Hazards EWC Researchers Contribute to New Study That Reveals the Increasing Threat from Cumulative Climate Hazards ferrard Fri, 11/16/2018 - 14:21 Nov 16, 2018 Nov 16, 2018 Environment & Climate Environment & Climate News Release Home EWC Feeds Explore search All Programs All Regions All Topics Release Date Filters Reset filters News Release Home EWC Feeds Explore search All Programs All Regions All Topics Release Date Filters Reset filters Full Article
rib Retired cop slapped with eight year prison sentence for accepting R5,000 bribe By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:17:15 GMT Full Article
rib Education official in hot water after allegedly soliciting R5,000 bribe from teacher under investigation By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:17:53 GMT Full Article
rib Taylor Swift wins big and Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne at MTV awards By www.voanews.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 19:12:10 -0500 Manchester, England — Taylor Swift came out top at the 2024 MTV EMAs on Sunday, walking away with best artist, best U.S. act, best live act and best video for "Fortnight" (featuring Post Malone). Swift, who is currently finishing up her Eras tour on the other side of the Atlantic, thanked the fans for the bounty of prizes via video message. The U.K. show opened with an acrobatic Benson Boone suspended in the air on a gold grand piano performing his viral hit "Beautiful Things" and latest release "Slow it Down." Boone also accepted his first EMA for best new act. South African newcomer Tyla gave Swift a run for her money picking up three awards for best afrobeats, best R&B and best African act. Tyla performed her smash hit "Water" for the EMA audience at the Co-op Live, Manchester, flanked by a host of dancers, as well as singing energetic new track "Push 2 Start." British singer Rita Ora, who hosted the show for a record third time, paid tribute to former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires. Ora had a close relationship with the singer and the pair recorded a song together in 2018, "For You (Fifty Shades Freed)." She addressed the audience saying, "I want to take a moment to remember someone. Liam Payne was one of the kindest people I knew." Her voice broke as she asked the crowd to take a moment to remember Liam saying, "He had the biggest heart and he left such a mark on this world." Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes was awarded the EMAs global icon award from British rapper Little Simz telling the crowd that in 34 years of professionally recording this was his first award from MTV and it felt incredible. The 12-time Grammy Award nominee, who has more than 10 million album sales under his belt, performed a mega medley of his greatest hits "Break ya Neck," "Touch it" and "Put Your Hands Where the Eyes can See" accompanied by dancers wearing tracksuits with giant dragon heads. Shawn Mendes gave an intimate and heartfelt performance and also received the award for best Canadian act. Sabrina Carpenter picked up the honors for best song for her hit "Espresso," while Ariana Grande was crowned best pop act and Eminem took away best hip hop act. U.K. duo Pet Shop Boys were honored with the inaugural Pop Pioneers Award for their contribution to pop music and closed out the show accompanied by local orchestra Manchester Camerata with a cover of David Bowie's "All the Young Dudes" followed by their iconic hit "West End Girls" in celebration of the song's 40th anniversary. Other performers on the night included K-Pop quintet Le Sserafim, Mexican singer and rapper Peso Pluma, English singer and songwriter Raye, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, American powerhouse Teddy Swims, Mexican rock sisters the Warning. LL Cool J, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, mother-and-daughter musicians Neneh Cherry and Mabel and TV and film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount all presented awards. Full Article Arts & Culture USA Europe
rib Lo horrible de la Navidad A By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
rib Lo horrible de la Navidad B By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
rib The Great Tribulation, Part 1 A By feeds.gty.org Published On :: Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 PST Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
rib The Great Tribulation, Part 1 B By feeds.gty.org Published On :: Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 PST Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
rib The Great Tribulation, Part 2 A By feeds.gty.org Published On :: Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 PST Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
rib The Great Tribulation, Part 2 B By feeds.gty.org Published On :: Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 PST Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
rib Man gets three years imprisonment for distribution of child porn By www.maltatoday.com.mt Published On :: Tue,12 Nov 2024 12:33:14 +0100 Man sentenced to three years imprisonment after admitting to possessing and distributing child pornography Full Article
rib Scorched Earth Colonizing of Gaza is a Horrible Idea By www.ipsnews.net Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:33:58 +0000 For religious, humanitarian, and scientific reasons, Israel’s increasingly apparent plan for the de facto colonization of the Northern Gaza Strip is a bad idea. When that program was rejected recently by Israel’s own Defense Minister Yoav Galant, he was summarily fired by Prime Minister Netanyahu. However, the founding document of the worldwide Jewish community, the […] Full Article Armed Conflicts Civil Society Democracy Global Governance Headlines Human Rights IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse Middle East & North Africa TerraViva United Nations IPS UN Bureau
rib Extreme heat and weather conditions attributed to stagnant jet stream By www.japantimes.co.jp Published On :: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:45:00 +0900 It’s no coincidence that extreme heat is engulfing huge swaths of Asia, Europe and North America all at the same time. Full Article ENVIRONMENT
rib Loan No. 2972-PAK: Power Distribution Enhancement Investment Program, Tranche-III [ADB-TRANCHE-III-MEPCO-01] By www.adb.org Published On :: Full Article
rib Loan No. 42401-AZE: Power Distribution Enhancement Investment Program - Tranche 1 [AI/ADB-10.1 and AI/ADB-10.2] By www.adb.org Published On :: Full Article
rib Loan No. 2972-PAK: Power Distribution Enhancement Investment Program - Tranche 3 [LESCO-10-2013] By www.adb.org Published On :: Full Article
rib South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Electricity Transmission and Distribution Strengthening Project By www.adb.org Published On :: 2024-11-04 Full Article
rib Why humanity’s survival may depend on us becoming a tribe of billions By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Mon, 17 Jun 2024 17:00:00 +0100 Tribalism can be toxic, yet we need more of it if we are to meet today’s global challenges, argues one anthropologist. His research reveals how to create a “teratribe” Full Article
rib Skeletons reveal ancient Egyptian scribes had bad posture at work By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:00:25 +0100 The skeletons of ancient Egyptian scribes reveal the health toll of sitting on the floor while performing administrative tasks like writing Full Article
rib Genome of Neanderthal fossil reveals lost tribe cut off for millennia By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:00:40 +0100 Analysis of DNA from a Neanderthal fossil found in a French cave indicates that it belonged to a group that was isolated for more than 50,000 years Full Article
rib Making a COVID-19 Vaccine Is Tough, Distributing It Might Be Tougher By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Making a COVID-19 Vaccine Is Tough, Distributing It Might Be TougherCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/25/2020 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/25/2020 12:00:00 AM Full Article
rib Theoretical framework for the difference of two negative binomial distributions and its application in comparative analysis of sequencing data [METHODS] By genome.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-10-29T06:46:08-07:00 High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have been instrumental in investigating biological questions at the bulk and single-cell levels. Comparative analysis of two HTS data sets often relies on testing the statistical significance for the difference of two negative binomial distributions (DOTNB). Although negative binomial distributions are well studied, the theoretical results for DOTNB remain largely unexplored. Here, we derive basic analytical results for DOTNB and examine its asymptotic properties. As a state-of-the-art application of DOTNB, we introduce DEGage, a computational method for detecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in scRNA-seq data. DEGage calculates the mean of the sample-wise differences of gene expression levels as the test statistic and determines significant differential expression by computing the P-value with DOTNB. Extensive validation using simulated and real scRNA-seq data sets demonstrates that DEGage outperforms five popular DEG analysis tools: DEGseq2, DEsingle, edgeR, Monocle3, and scDD. DEGage is robust against high dropout levels and exhibits superior sensitivity when applied to balanced and imbalanced data sets, even with small sample sizes. We utilize DEGage to analyze prostate cancer scRNA-seq data sets and identify marker genes for 17 cell types. Furthermore, we apply DEGage to scRNA-seq data sets of mouse neurons with and without fear memory and reveal eight potential memory-related genes overlooked in previous analyses. The theoretical results and supporting software for DOTNB can be widely applied to comparative analyses of dispersed count data in HTS and broad research questions. Full Article
rib A circular split nanoluciferase reporter for validating and screening putative internal ribosomal entry site elements [METHOD] By rnajournal.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T07:18:13-07:00 Internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs) recruit the ribosome to promote translation, typically in an m7G cap-independent manner. Although IRESs are well-documented in viral genomes, they have also been reported in mammalian transcriptomes, where they have been proposed to mediate cap-independent translation of mRNAs. However, subsequent studies have challenged the idea of these "cellular" IRESs. Current methods for screening and discovering IRES activity rely on a bicistronic reporter assay, which is prone to producing false positive signals if the putative IRES sequence has a cryptic promoter or cryptic splicing sites. Here, we report an assay for screening IRES activity using a genetically encoded circular RNA comprising a split nanoluciferase (nLuc) reporter. The circular split nLuc reporter is less susceptible to the various sources of false positives that adversely affect the bicistronic IRES reporter assay and provides a streamlined method for screening IRES activity. Using the circular split nLuc reporter, we find that nine reported cellular IRESs have minimal IRES activity. Overall, the circular split nLuc reporter offers a simplified approach for identifying and validating IRESs and exhibits reduced propensity for producing the types of false positives that can occur with the bicistronic reporter assay. Full Article
rib High-resolution reconstruction of a C. elegans ribosome sheds light on evolutionary dynamics and tissue specificity [ARTICLE] By rnajournal.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T07:18:13-07:00 Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism for human health and disease, with foundational contributions to the understanding of gene expression and tissue patterning in animals. An invaluable tool in modern gene expression research is the presence of a high-resolution ribosome structure, though no such structure exists for C. elegans. Here, we present a high-resolution single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction and molecular model of a C. elegans ribosome, revealing a significantly streamlined animal ribosome. Many facets of ribosome structure are conserved in C. elegans, including overall ribosomal architecture and the mechanism of cycloheximide, whereas other facets, such as expansion segments and eL28, are rapidly evolving. We identify uL5 and uL23 as two instances of tissue-specific ribosomal protein paralog expression conserved in Caenorhabditis, suggesting that C. elegans ribosomes vary across tissues. The C. elegans ribosome structure will provide a basis for future structural, biochemical, and genetic studies of translation in this important animal system. Full Article
rib Roles of the ABCG2 Transporter in Protoporphyrin IX Distribution and Toxicity [Special Section on New and Emerging Areas and Technologies in Drug Metabolism and Disposition, Part II-Minireview] By dmd.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T09:02:03-07:00 ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) is a membrane-bound transporter responsible for the efflux of various xenobiotics and endobiotics, including protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), an intermediate in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Certain genetic mutations and chemicals impair the conversion of PPIX to heme and/or increase PPIX production, leading to PPIX accumulation and toxicity. In mice, deficiency of ABCG2 protects against PPIX-mediated phototoxicity and hepatotoxicity by modulating PPIX distribution. In addition, in vitro studies revealed that ABCG2 inhibition increases the efficacy of PPIX-based photodynamic therapy by retaining PPIX inside target cells. In this review, we discuss the roles of ABCG2 in modulating the tissue distribution of PPIX, PPIX-mediated toxicity, and PPIX-based photodynamic therapy. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This review summarized the roles of ABCG2 in modulating PPIX distribution and highlighted the therapeutic potential of ABCG2 inhibitors for the management of PPIX-mediated toxicity. Full Article
rib Characterizing the Distribution of a Stimulator of Interferon Genes Agonist and Its Metabolites in Mouse Liver by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry [Special Section on New and Emerging Areas and Technologies in Drug Met By dmd.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T09:02:03-07:00 A STING (stimulator of interferon genes) agonist GSK3996915 under investigation in early discovery for hepatitis B was orally dosed to a mouse model for understanding the parent drug distribution in liver, the target organ. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) was used to quantify the distribution of GSK3996915 in liver collected from mice administered a single oral dose at 90 mg/kg. GSK3996915 was detected with a zonal distribution localized in the portal triad and highly concentrated in the main bile ducts, indicating clearance through biliary excretion. High spatial resolution imaging showed the distribution of the parent drug localized to the cellular populations in the sinusoids, including the Kupffer cells. Additionally, a series of drug-related metabolites were observed to be localized in the central zones of the liver. These results exemplify the potential of utilizing MALDI IMS for measuring not only quantitative drug distribution and target exposure but also drug metabolism and elimination in a single suite of experiments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT An integrated imaging approach utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) complemented with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histology was used to address the question of target exposure at the cellular level. Localized quantification of the parent drug in the target organ and identification of potential metabolites in the context of tissue histology were also achieved in one experimental suite to support characterization of pharmacokinetic properties of the drug in the early discovery stage.: Full Article
rib Factors Influencing the Central Nervous System (CNS) Distribution of the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated and Rad3-Related Inhibitor Elimusertib (BAY1895344): Implications for the Treatment of CNS Tumors [Metabolism, Transport, and Pharmacogenetics] By jpet.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-18T07:04:15-07:00 Glioblastoma (GBM) is a disease of the whole brain, with infiltrative tumor cells protected by an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB). GBM has a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment, in part due to the lack of adequate drug permeability at the BBB. Standard of care GBM therapies include radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy that lead to DNA damage. Subsequent activation of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways can induce resistance. Various DDR inhibitors, targeting the key regulators of these pathways such as ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR), are being explored as radio- and chemosensitizers. Elimusertib, a novel ATR kinase inhibitor, can prevent repair of damaged DNA, increasing efficacy of DNA-damaging cytotoxic therapies. Robust synergy was observed in vitro when elimusertib was combined with the DNA-damaging agent temozolomide; however, we did not observe improvement with this combination in in vivo efficacy studies in GBM orthotopic tumor-bearing mice. This in vitro–in vivo disconnect was explored to understand factors influencing central nervous system (CNS) distribution of elimusertib and reasons for lack of efficacy. We observed that elimusertib is rapidly cleared from systemic circulation in mice and would not maintain adequate exposure in the CNS for efficacious combination therapy with temozolomide. CNS distribution of elimusertib is partially limited by P-glycoprotein efflux at the BBB, and high binding to CNS tissues leads to low levels of pharmacologically active (unbound) drug in the brain. Acknowledging the potential for interspecies differences in pharmacokinetics, these data suggest that clinical translation of elimusertib in combination with temozolomide for treatment of GBM may be limited. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study examined the disconnect between the in vitro synergy and in vivo efficacy of elimusertib/temozolomide combination therapy by exploring systemic and central nervous system (CNS) distributional pharmacokinetics. Results indicate that the lack of improvement in in vivo efficacy in glioblastoma (GBM) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models could be attributed to inadequate exposure of pharmacologically active drug concentrations in the CNS. These observations can guide further exploration of elimusertib for the treatment of GBM or other CNS tumors. Full Article
rib MIRD Pamphlet No. 30: MIRDfit--A Tool for Fitting of Biodistribution Time-Activity Data for Internal Dosimetry By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2024-11-01T04:25:31-07:00 In nuclear medicine, estimating the number of radioactive decays that occur in a source organ per unit administered activity of a radiopharmaceutical (i.e., the time-integrated activity coefficient [TIAC]) is an essential task within the internal dosimetry workflow. TIAC estimation is commonly derived by least-squares fitting of various exponential models to organ time–activity data (radiopharmaceutical biodistribution). Rarely, however, are methods used to objectively determine the model that best characterizes the data. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with the resultant TIAC is generally not evaluated. As part of the MIRDsoft initiative, MIRDfit has been developed to offer a biodistribution fitting software solution that provides the following essential features and advantages for internal dose assessment: nuclear medicine–appropriate fit functions; objective metrics for guiding best-fit selection; TIAC uncertainty calculation; quality control and data archiving; integration with MIRDcalc software for dose calculation; and a user-friendly Excel-based interface. For demonstration and comparative validation of MIRDfit’s performance, TIACs were derived from serial imaging studies involving 18F-FDG and 177Lu-DOTATATE using MIRDfit. These TIACs were then compared with TIAC estimates obtained using other software. In most cases, the TIACs agreed within approximately 10% between MIRDfit and the other software. MIRDfit has been endorsed by the MIRD Committee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and has been integrated into the MIRDsoft suite of free dosimetry software; it is available for download at no user cost (https://mirdsoft.org/). Full Article
rib U.S. Imaging Costs: Michal Horny Talks with Ken Herrmann and Johannes Czernin About the Changing Contribution of Medical Imaging to Health Care Costs By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2024-11-01T04:25:31-07:00 Full Article
rib Distribution and Disparities of Industry Payments to Neuroradiologists [CLINICAL PRACTICE] By www.ajnr.org Published On :: 2024-11-07T15:14:12-08:00 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physician-industry relationships can be useful for driving innovation and technologic progress, though little is known about the scale or impact of industry involvement in neuroradiology. The purpose of this study was to assess the trends and distributions of industry payments to neuroradiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neuroradiologists were identified using a previously-validated method based on Work Relative Value Units and Neiman Imaging Types of Service classification. Data on payments from industry were obtained from the Open Payments database from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, from 2016 to 2021. Payments were grouped into 7 categories, including consulting fees, education, gifts, medical supplies, research, royalties/ownership, and speaker fees. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 3019 neuroradiologists were identified in this study. Between 2016 and 2021, 48% (1440/3019) received at least 1 payment from industry, amounting to a total number of 21,967 payments. Each year, among those receiving payments from industry, each unique neuroradiologist received between a mean of 5.49–7.42 payments and a median of 2 payments, indicating a strong rightward skew to the distribution of payments. Gifts were the most frequent payment type made (60%, 13,285/21,967) but accounted for only 4.1% ($689,859/$17,010,546) of payment value. The greatest aggregate payment value came from speaker fees, which made up 36% ($6,127,484/$17,010,546) of the total payment value. The top 5% highest paid neuroradiologists received 42% (9133/21,967) of payments, which accounted for 84% ($14,284,120/$17,010,546) of the total dollar value. Since the start of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of neuroradiologists receiving industry payments decreased from a mean of 671 neuroradiologists per year prepandemic (2016–2019) to 411 in the postpandemic (2020–2021) era (P = .030). The total number of payments to neuroradiologists decreased from 4177 per year prepandemic versus 2631 per year postpandemic (P = .011). CONCLUSIONS: Industry payments to neuroradiologists are highly concentrated among top earners, particularly among the top 5% of payment recipients. The number of payments decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, though the dollar value of payments was offset by coincidental increases in royalty payments. Further investigation is needed in subsequent years to determine if the postpandemic changes in industry payment trends continue. Full Article
rib Geographic inequalities in need and provision of social prescribing link workers a retrospective study in primary care By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 BackgroundLong-term health conditions are major challenges for care systems. Social prescribing link workers have been introduced via primary care networks (PCNs) across England since 2019 to address the wider determinants of health by connecting individuals to activities, groups, or services within their local community.AimTo assess whether the rollout of social prescribing link workers was in areas with the highest need.Design and settingA retrospective study of social prescribing link workers in England from 2019 to 2023.MethodWorkforce, population, survey, and area-level data at the PCN-level from April 2020 to October 2023 were combined. Population need before the rollout of link workers was measured using reported lack of support from local services in the 2019 General Practice Patient Survey. To assess if rollout reflected need, linear regression was used to relate provision of link workers (measured by full-time equivalent [FTE] per 10 000 patients) in each quarter to population need for support.ResultsPopulations in urban, more deprived areas and with higher proportions of people from minority ethnic groups had the highest reported lack of support. Geographically these were in the North West and London. Initially, there was no association between need and provision; then from July 2022, this became negative and significant. By October 2023, a 10-percentage point higher need for support was associated with a 0.035 (95% confidence interval = −0.634 to −0.066) lower FTE per 10 000 patients.ConclusionRollout of link workers has not been sufficiently targeted at areas with the highest need. Future deployments should be targeted at those areas. Full Article
rib Support for primary care prescribing for adult ADHD in England: national survey By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, for which there are effective pharmacological treatments that improve symptoms and reduce complications. Guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend that primary care practitioners prescribe medication for adult ADHD under shared-care agreements with Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). However, provision remains uneven, with some practitioners reporting a lack of support.AimThis study aimed to describe elements of support, and their availability/use, in primary care prescribing for adult ADHD medication in England to improve access for this underserved population and inform service improvement.Design and settingCross-sectional surveys were used to elicit data from commissioners, health professionals (HPs), and people with lived experience of ADHD (LE) across England about elements supporting pharmacological treatment of ADHD in primary care.MethodThree interlinked cross-sectional surveys were used to ask every integrated care board in England (commissioners), along with convenience samples of HPs and LEs, about prescribing rates, AMHS availability, wait times, and shared-care agreement protocols/policies for the pharmacological treatment of ADHD in primary care. Descriptive analyses, percentages, and confidence intervals were used to summarise responses by stakeholder group. Variations in reported provision and practice were explored and displayed visually using mapping software.ResultsData from 782 responders (42 commissioners, 331 HPs, 409 LEs) revealed differences in reported provision by stakeholder group, including for prescribing (95% of HPs versus 64% of LEs). In all, >40% of responders reported extended AMHS wait times of ≥2 years. There was some variability by NHS region – for example, London had the lowest reported extended wait time (25%), while East of England had the highest (55%).ConclusionElements supporting appropriate shared-care prescribing of ADHD medication via primary care are not universally available in England. Coordinated approaches are needed to address these gaps. Full Article
rib Prescribing benzodiazepines in young adults with anxiety: a qualitative study of GP perspectives By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 BackgroundIncident benzodiazepine prescriptions in primary care for anxiety decreased between 2003 and 2018. However, from 2008, incident prescribing of benzodiazepines for anxiety increased among those aged 18–34 years. There are increasing concerns around prescribing of benzodiazepines. Further, although guidelines state benzodiazepines should only be prescribed short term, in 2017, 44% of incident prescriptions were prescribed for longer than the recommended duration of 2–4 weeks.AimTo understand when and why GPs prescribe benzodiazepines for anxiety in young adults.Design and settingA qualitative study was undertaken using in-depth interviews with 17 GPs from 10 general practices in South West England.MethodInterviews were conducted by telephone or videocall. A topic guide was used to ensure consistency across interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsGPs described caution in prescribing benzodiazepines for anxiety in young adults, but thought they had an important role in acute situations. GPs described caution in prescribing duration, but some thought longer-term prescriptions could be appropriate. In light of these views, some GPs questioned whether primary care needs to revisit how clinicians are using benzodiazepines. GPs perceived that some young adults requested benzodiazepines and suggested this might be because they wanted quick symptom relief. GPs noted that refusing to prescribe felt uncomfortable and that the number of young adults presenting to general practice, already dependent on benzodiazepines, had increased.ConclusionPatient-driven factors for prescribing benzodiazepines suggest there are current unmet treatment needs among young adults with anxiety. Given increases in prescribing in this age group, it may be timely to revisit the role of benzodiazepines in the management of people with anxiety in primary care. Full Article
rib GPs’ views of prescribing beta- blockers for people with anxiety disorders: a qualitative study By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 BackgroundBetween 2003 and 2018, incident prescriptions of beta-blockers for anxiety increased substantially, particularly for young adults. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance for anxiety does not recommend beta-blockers, probably due to a lack of evidence to support such use. Recent reports have highlighted the potential risks of beta-blockers.AimTo understand when and why GPs prescribe beta-blockers for people with anxiety.Design and settingIn-depth interviews with 17 GPs in Bristol and the surrounding areas.MethodInterviews were held by telephone or video call. A topic guide was used to ensure consistency across interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.ResultsMany GPs viewed beta-blockers as ‘low risk’, particularly for young adults. Some GPs viewed beta-blockers as an alternative to benzodiazepines, acting quickly and not leading to dependence. GPs reflected that some patients appeared to want an ‘immediate fix’ to their symptoms, which GPs thought beta-blockers could potentially offer. This is salient in light of substantial waiting lists for talking therapies and delays in antidepressants taking effect. GPs described how some patients seemed more willing to try beta-blockers than antidepressants, as patients did not perceive them as ‘mental health drugs’ and therefore viewed them as potentially more acceptable and less stigmatising. Further, GPs viewed beta-blockers as ‘patient-led’, with patients managing their own dose and frequency, without GP input.ConclusionMany GPs believe that beta-blockers have a role to play in the management of anxiety. Given recent increases in the prescribing of these drugs in primary care, there is a need to assess their safety and effectiveness as a treatment for people with anxiety disorders. Full Article
rib Medicines prescribed elsewhere: don’t forget to record them in the GP record! By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 Full Article
rib Can’t prescribe, can’t dispense: the challenge of medicine shortages By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 Full Article
rib Challenging the status quo: deprescribing antihypertensive medication in older adults in primary care By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 Full Article
rib Unpicking influence and conflicts of interest in prescribing By bjgp.org Published On :: 2024-10-31T16:05:26-07:00 Full Article
rib Lack of Knowledge of Antibiotic Risks Contributes to Primary Care Patients Expectations of Antibiotics for Common Symptoms [Research Briefs] By www.annfammed.org Published On :: 2024-09-23T14:00:14-07:00 Patient expectations of receiving antibiotics for common symptoms can trigger unnecessary use. We conducted a survey (n = 564) between January 2020 to June 2021 in public and private primary care clinics in Texas to study the prevalence and predictors of patients’ antibiotic expectations for common symptoms/illnesses. We surveyed Black patients (33%) and Hispanic/Latine patients (47%), and over 93% expected to receive an antibiotic for at least 1 of the 5 pre-defined symptoms/illnesses. Public clinic patients were nearly twice as likely to expect antibiotics for sore throat, diarrhea, and cold/flu than private clinic patients. Lack of knowledge of potential risks of antibiotic use was associated with increased antibiotic expectations for diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4) and cold/flu symptoms (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0-4.4). Lower education and inadequate health literacy were predictors of antibiotic expectations for diarrhea. Future antibiotic stewardship interventions should tailor patient education materials to include information on antibiotic risks and guidance on appropriate antibiotic indications. Full Article
rib Libraries recognised for community contributions in annual award ceremony By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Shetland Library and the National Library of Scotland have been praised for "providing optimist for the future." Full Article
rib Mum-of-four who died in Manchester house fire named as heartbreaking tributes pour in By www.express.co.uk Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:28:00 +0000 A mum-of-four was tragically found dead at her home following a fire. Full Article UK
rib Tributes pour in for Pandit Ram Narayan, the maestro who took sarangi instrument to new heights By www.thehindu.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 20:58:15 +0530 Music director and singer Adnan Sami said he was saddened by the demise of “one of the greatest Sarangi Maestros that the entire Indian subcontinent has ever witnessed”. Full Article Music
rib ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War’ Adds Cross-Server Battles in Latest Empire Invasion Update By toucharcade.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Aug 2024 21:49:41 +0000 JOYCITY has launched an exciting new update for Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War, inviting everyone to join in … Continue reading "‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War’ Adds Cross-Server Battles in Latest Empire Invasion Update" Full Article Featured News Sponsored Content
rib Barney & Friends music director recalls ‘horrible’ death threats over infectious songs By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-13T03:22:59+00:00 Bob Singleton revealed he was threatened with ‘death and dismemberment’ as music director for ‘Barney & Friends’ Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
rib Netflix’s ad tier has attracted more than 70 million subscribers By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:20:11 +0000 Netflix is crowing that its ad-supported tier now boasts 70 million users throughout the globe, as reported by Variety. The company announced 40 million users back in May, so this is some real growth. The streamer has been slowly ramping up its ad tier, going all the way back to 2022. Amy Reinhard, president of advertising at Netflix, says that the company continues “to see steady progress across all countries’ member bases.” She also noted that over 50 percent of new Netflix sign-ups are for these ad-supported plans. The transformation of streaming into regular TV is nearly complete. There’s one major potential caveat. The company released the aforementioned data regarding new sign-ups, which is impressive, but there isn’t any information regarding pre-existing customers. It’s highly possible a whole lot of people downgraded from a premium tier to an ad-supported tier. I’m one of them. I don’t mind watching an ad or two as I mindlessly stuff food down my gullet while pseudo-watching an episode of The Diplomat or The Circle. In other words, there’s an argument to be made that the ad-supported tier could be eating into the more expensive offerings. There’s also an argument to be made that this year’s growth spurt for the ad-supported tier could attract companies with deeper ad-spending budgets, thus making up the difference. Netflix is airing live NFL broadcasts on Christmas Day, and it says it has already sold out all available commercial inventory. The streamer is actually betting big on live streams, with wrestling events, cooking shows and talk shows all airing in the near future. The company’s recent forays into audience measurement and the ad-tech space should help entice sponsors for these events. Netflix even has plans for “themed” advertisements with certain shows. The next season of Squid Game will include a three-part linked commercial by Kia. Nothing makes me want to buy a car more than a deadly dystopian bloodsport that seems closer and closer to the real world by the day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/netflixs-ad-tier-has-attracted-more-than-70-million-subscribers-162011582.html?src=rss Full Article Arts & Entertainment Banking & Budgeting site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Lawrence Bonk
rib Internal report describes a 'cesspool of racism' in the federal public service By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:58:59 EST An internal report on workplace racism and harassment at the highest levels of the federal public service shows that not even the federal government’s top executives are immune from the problem. Full Article News/Politics
rib Thousands gather in Ottawa for Remembrance Day tribute to Canada's veterans By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:00:00 EST Thousands of veterans, military personnel and their supporters gathered at Canada's National War Memorial in Ottawa to remember those who have fought and died to protect this country and its freedoms. Full Article News/Politics
rib Available for Preorder: The 2024-25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:30:00 +0000 On October 8, 2024, Drug Channels Institute will release our 2024-25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors. This report—our fifteenth edition—remains the most comprehensive, fact-based tool for understanding and analyzing the large and growing U.S. pharmaceutical distribution industry. 9 chapters, 350+ pages, 178 exhibits, 750+ endnotes: There is nothing else available that comes close to this valuable resource. We are providing you with the opportunity to preorder this thoroughly updated, revised, and expanded 2024-25 edition at special discounted prices. This means that you can be among the first to access our new report. Those who preorder will receive a download link before October 8. Review pricing/license options and place a preorder Download a free pre-publication report overview (including key industry trends, What's New in this edition, the Table of Contents, and a List of Exhibits) You can pay online with all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) or via PayPal. Click here to contact us if you would like to pay by corporate check or ACH. Special preorder and launch pricing discounts will be valid through October 23, 2024. Read on for more details. Read more » Full Article Biosimilars Buy-and-Bill Channel Management Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) Industry Trends Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Physicians Specialty Drugs Wholesalers