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Abstract Background and Aim The utility of renal replacement therapy (RRT) before liver transplant (LT) in patients without end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) or advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD‐IV/V) is debatable and lacks data support. We aimed to evaluate the impact of RRT on patients undergoing LT. Methods We used the National Readmission Database (2016–2019) to identify all index hospitalizations undergoing RRT before LT (cases). A matched comparison cohort of similar hospitalizations without RRT before LT was identified (controls) after 1:1 propensity score matching for age, gender, and available comorbidities. Results We matched 364 cases (RRT before LT) to 364 controls (LT without prior RRT). There was no statistical difference in all‐cause inpatient mortality (4.9% vs 3.6% P = 0.4). A significantly greater proportion of cases were associated with ICU admission (40.7% vs 17.0%, P

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a pathological condition wherein lung injury precipitates the deposition of scar tissue, ultimately leading to a decline in pulmonary function. Existing research indicates a notable exacerbation in the clinical prognosis of IPF patients following infection with COVID-19. This investigation employed bulk RNA-sequencing methodologies to describe the transcriptomic profiles of small airway cell cultures derived from IPF and post-COVID fibrosis patients. Differential gene expression analysis unveiled heightened activation of pathways associated with microtubule assembly and interferon signaling in IPF cell cultures. Conversely, post-COVID fibrosis cell cultures exhibited distinctive characteristics, including the upregulation of pathways linked to extracellular matrix remodeling, immune system response, and TGF-β1 signaling. Notably, BMP signaling levels were elevated in cell cultures derived from IPF patients compared to non-IPF control and post-COVID fibrosis samples. These findings underscore the molecular distinctions between IPF and post-COVID fibrosis, particularly in the context of signaling pathways associated with each condition. A better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms holds the promise of identifying potential therapeutic targets for future interventions in these diseases.

Background and Aim: The utility of renal replacement therapy (RRT) before liver transplant (LT) in patients without end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) or advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD‐IV/V) is debatable and lacks data support. We aimed to evaluate the impact of RRT on patients undergoing LT. Methods: We used the National Readmission Database (2016–2019) to identify all index hospitalizations undergoing RRT before LT (cases). A matched comparison cohort of similar hospitalizations without RRT before LT was identified (controls) after 1:1 propensity score matching for age, gender, and available comorbidities. Results: We matched 364 cases (RRT before LT) to 364 controls (LT without prior RRT). There was no statistical difference in all‐cause inpatient mortality (4.9% vs 3.6% P = 0.4). A significantly greater proportion of cases were associated with ICU admission (40.7% vs 17.0%, P < 0.001) and RRT requirement post LT (100% vs 17%, P < 0.001). There was no difference in 30‐ (hazard ratio [HR] 1.1, 0.4–2.6), 60‐ (HR 0.9, 0.4–1.8), or 90‐day (HR 0.8, 0.4–1.6) inpatient mortality between the groups. Also, 180‐day survival estimates were comparable (P = 0.5). The results were similar in patients with no chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CKD‐III. Conclusion: RRT prior to LT, in patients without advanced CKD or ESRD, was associated with greater instances of ICU stay and need for future RRT. Also, 30‐, 60‐, and 90‐day inpatient mortality rates were similar, and 180‐day survival estimates were comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HALO Trust was founded in 1988 to alleviate suffering among civilians living in hazardous areas. Today, it is the largest humanitarian de-mining charity in the world. Its earliest operations were in Afghanistan. Following the Soviet withdrawal, HALO moved into Kabul where it established a clinic for casualties of war, developed mine risk education and gradually rolled out an innovative mine clearance programme. These interventions helped to transform mine clearance from being a military legacy into a humanitarian priority. Much of the early strategic foresight for HALO extended from the military experience of the former Scottish foot soldier Colonel Colin Campbell Mitchell of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Based on semi-structured interviews with key participants and access to private papers and diaries, this article provides a narrative framework for understanding the emergence of humanitarian mine clearance or 'mine action', as it is now termed. Through sometimes fractious dialectical relationships with various United Nations agencies and discreet dealings with Afghanistan's communist government and regional warlords, HALO became a vital implementing partner in the work of refugee resettlement and rehabilitation assistance. Retrieving its history contributes to a clearer identification of the intersections between military expertise, development, humanitarianism and the post-Cold War world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a pathological condition wherein lung injury precipitates the deposition of scar tissue, ultimately leading to a decline in pulmonary function. Existing research indicates a notable exacerbation in the clinical prognosis of IPF patients following infection with COVID-19. This investigation employed bulk RNA-sequencing methodologies to describe the transcriptomic profiles of small airway cell cultures derived from IPF and post-COVID fibrosis patients. Differential gene expression analysis unveiled heightened activation of pathways associated with microtubule assembly and interferon signaling in IPF cell cultures. Conversely, post-COVID fibrosis cell cultures exhibited distinctive characteristics, including the upregulation of pathways linked to extracellular matrix remodeling, immune system response, and TGF-β1 signaling. Notably, BMP signaling levels were elevated in cell cultures derived from IPF patients compared to non-IPF control and post-COVID fibrosis samples. These findings underscore the molecular distinctions between IPF and post-COVID fibrosis, particularly in the context of signaling pathways associated with each condition. A better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms holds the promise of identifying potential therapeutic targets for future interventions in these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach expert consensus on a definition for recovery following minor and moderate road traffic crash-related injuries and key factors that influence recovery, and to explore expert perspectives on risk identification methods. A three-round Delphi study was conducted in which 47 experts (insurance representatives, health care professionals and researchers) were consulted. Strong expert agreement (86%) was reached for the definition: "Recovery is multifaceted and includes return to activities of daily living (ADLs), work and social/leisure activities at pre-injury level or at a level deemed acceptable by the individual, with minimal ongoing pain and symptoms, considering physical and mental health and wellbeing". Agreed key factors that influenced recovery included: resilience; coping skills; recovery expectations; pre-existing physical and mental health; workplace support; and, collaboration between the injured individual, treating providers and claim handlers. Expert perspectives on risk identification methods were mixed. An accepted definition for recovery following minor and moderate road traffic crash-related injury was established, which could facilitate communication and engagement between different rehabilitation stakeholders. Strong consensus was achieved on nine key factors that influenced recovery. Further research is needed to evaluate whether injured persons agree with this definition and on the utility of risk identification methods. Expert consensus was established for a definition of recovery following minor and moderate road traffic crash-related injuries and nine key influencing factors. An established definition could facilitate communication and engagement between all rehabilitation stakeholders, which could improve the recovery process of the injured person. Rehabilitation professionals need to be familiar with the role of psychosocial factors, such as recovery expectations, resilience and coping skills, in the recovery process. The use of physical and psychological outcome measures at regular intervals could help to identify risk of poor recovery following minor and moderate road traffic crash-related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that middle power theories can be tested by looking at the practice of negotiating multilateral treaties on conventional weapons. Three recent treaties are noteworthy, regulating landmines, cluster munitions and the arms trade. They are noteworthy because they were negotiated through multilateral diplomacy by coalitions of countries often identified as middle powers, and resulted in humanitarian, effects-based regulations. Canada and Australia actively participated in all three and are regularly cited as exemplars of middle powers. On landmines and the arms trade, both behaved as middle power theories would anticipate, embracing multilateralism and seeking a principled outcome. On cluster munitions, neither country conformed to expectations and instead unsuccessfully sought an incremental approach in line with their US ally. These cases therefore offer promising terrain to test claims around middle powers, multilateralism, and principled approaches to world affairs. This article sheds light on these inconsistencies by identifying the contextual changes behind these differing postures through a 'contexts of diplomacy' framework. This article also highlights the strategies and tactics of Canada and Australia. This serves two purposes. First, it helps address some of the issues raised in middle power theories. Second, it helps identify modes of middle power diplomacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]