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To investigate how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations are protocolled in tertiary paediatric neuroradiology centres around the UK for some of the more common presentations encountered in paediatric neuroradiology, and to identify any variations of note. All 19 UK tertiary paediatric neuroradiology centres registered with the British Society of Neuroradiologists—Paediatric Group were contacted and asked if they could provide a copy of their standard MRI protocols. Twelve responded (63%) and 10 of the more common presentations were selected and the standard acquired sequences obtained at each participating centre were compared. Where available the collated protocols were also compared against current published guidance. The basic sequences carried out by centres around the UK are similar; however, there are lots of variations overall. The only standardised protocol currently being implemented nationally in paediatric imaging is that for brain tumours. Otherwise, chosen protocols are generally dependent on the preferences and technical capabilities of individual centres. Suggested published protocols also exist for non-accidental injury (NAI), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and head and neck imaging. The differences in MRI protocolling depend in part on technical capabilities and in part on the experience and preferences of the paediatric neuroradiologists at each centre. For most presentations, there is no consensus as to what constitutes the perfect protocol. The present results will be useful for specialist centres who may wish to review their current protocols, and for more generalist centres to use as a reference to guide their MRI protocolling. • Paediatric neuroradiology MRI protocols across the UK. • Standardisation of paediatric MRI protocols. • Paediatric neuroradiology guidelines for MRI imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lodging has been identified as one of the factors responsible for the lack of improvement in farm yields of oilseed rape. Despite this, no studies have attempted to quantify the cost of lodging at regional or national scales. The objectives of this study were to better understand the impact of timing and angle of lodging on seed yield and oil content of modern oilseed rape varieties, test whether a model predicting lodging-induced yield losses for wheat is appropriate for oilseed rape and quantify the extent of lodging in UK oilseed rape crops using an aerial photograph survey, estimating the consequential effects of lodging on the value of the crop at a national scale. Artificial lodging experiments showed that the crop developmental stage at which lodging occurred and the angle of lodging had a significant impact on yield, with lodging to 90° during flowering reducing yield by 46% and lodging to 45° during flowering reducing yield by approximately 20%. Variable, but usually smaller amounts of yield were lost when lodging occurred during seed filling. Reductions in oil content of the seed were greatest when lodging occurred to 90° at early flowering. Yield losses were mainly related to reductions in seeds/m 2 . A model for predicting lodging-induced yield losses in winter wheat was tested for its suitability in predicting the effect of different angles of lodging at different growth stages on yield in oilseed rape against the experimental datasets. This wheat model was based on existing models of canopy photosynthesis and respiration to account for lodging induced changes to the canopy and the impact on light capture and rates of photosynthesis and respiration. This was shown to provide a reasonable prediction of yield losses from lodging during flowering, which indicated that reductions in photosynthesis was the primary cause of yield loss. The model was less effective at predicting yield losses from lodging during seed filling and additional work is required to explore whether the model needs further development to be appropriate for sink limited crops such as oilseed rape. In 2012 and 2014, approximately 35% and 27% of oilseed rape fields surveyed in the UK contained some lodging respectively. It is estimated that lodging to 90° during early flowering could cost the UK oilseed rape industry£120 million per year and lodging to 45° during mid seed fill could cost £47 million per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of determinants underlie the choice of software to develop an economic model. A key objective of using both Microsoft Excel (Excel) and TreeAge Pro (TreeAge) software was to expedite model development. [Extracted from the article]

To establish the cost-effectiveness of ospemifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), for the treatment of post-menopausal women with moderate to severe symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) who are not candidates for local oestrogen therapy. The cost-effectiveness analysis included two treatment arms: ospemifene plus standard of care (SoC) (lubricants and moisturisers) and SoC alone. Ospemifene is a cost-effective intervention for the treatment of post-menopausal women with moderate to severe VVA who are not candidates for local oestrogen therapy. [Extracted from the article]

A previous health economics analysis evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the York Faecal Calprotectin Care Pathway (YFCCP) indicated that YFCCP is cost saving and of clinical benefit when compared with both published data for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and c-reactive protein (CRP) testing, and with FC testing using a standard <50ug/g cut-off. A decision tree model which estimates accurate diagnosis of IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for different diagnostic tests was updated to include HRQoL data. YFCCP is dominant (cost-saving with a QALY gain) when compared with four of the five comparators using published efficacy data of ESR + CRP and published data for the standard FC testing. [Extracted from the article]

The production, purification and characterisation of recombinant gp140 oligomeric envelope glycoproteins derived from six primary isolates of HIV-1 (covering clades A, B, C, D, F and O) are described. Using a Chinese hamster ovary cell expression system, expression levels of between 0.1 and 1 mg/l cell-conditioned culture media were obtained, and purified to >95% by affinity chromatography. A, B, D, F and O clade gp140s were found to be multimeric, bind to a panel of defined env-specific monoclonal antibodies and interact with CD4 and CXCR4, demonstrating correct folding. Their immunogenicity was confirmed by the generation of high-titre anti-gp140 antibodies in rabbits. The C clade gp140 was incorrectly folded and poorly antigenic. Despite the presence of an unmodified gp120/41 cleavage site, only the B clade gp140 showed significant processing to gp120 and gp41. Each gp140 has a specific pattern of oligomerisation, and varies in its resistance to reducing agents and salt concentration. The binding of gp140 to soluble and cell-surface CD4 and CXCR4 is related to the degree of oligomerisation. The C1 and C5 regions, CD4 binding domain and the epitope defined by the 2G12 monoclonal antibody were well exposed, but the C-terminal region of the extracellular domain of gp41 appears to be occluded by oligomerisation. These reagents have potential as immunogens for use in vaccine development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study compared the subjective, physiological, and psychomotor effects of atomoxetine and methylphenidate with placebo in healthy volunteers. Sixteen non-dependent light drug users participated in six experimental sessions, receiving placebo, atomoxetine (20, 45 and 90 mg) and methylphenidate (20 and 40 mg) using a double-blind, Latin square design. Subjective drug effects were assessed using Visual Analog Scales (VAS), the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) and Adjective Rating Scales (ARS). Psychomotor performance was evaluated using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Physiological measures were also collected throughout the sessions. Assessments were conducted before drug administration and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 240 min following dosing. Forty milligrams methylphenidate produced significant increases on the stimulant portions of the VAS and ARS and the benzedrine, amphetamine, morphine-benzedrine and lysergic acid diethylamine (LSD) subscales of the ARCI relative to placebo. Ninety mg atomoxetine was reported to be unpleasurable relative to placebo as indicated by significant increases on the 'bad' and 'sick' portions of the VAS, and on the LSD subscale of the ARCI. Compared with placebo, both methylphenidate doses significantly increased systolic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). For atomoxetine, 90 mg increased diastolic BP, 45 and 90 mg increased systolic BP, and all three doses increased HR relative to placebo. Neither compound produced significant differences from placebo on DSST performance. These results suggest that atomoxetine does not induce subjective effects similar to methylphenidate and suggest that it is unlikely that atomoxetine will have abuse liability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]