Search

This article examines the claim that equity release mortgages, the U.K. equivalent of reverse mortgages in the U.S., are suitable investments for pension funds. We present valuation, stress test and scenario analysis results that suggest that equity release mortgages are unsuitable for pension funds because: (i) they bear returns that are typically below the risk-free rate; (ii) they are not hedges for annuity books, let alone good hedges; and (iii) they are heavily exposed to house price risk, which annuity books are not. Our results suggest that equity release mortgages meet none of these criteria to be suitable for pension funds and are almost entirely dominated by risk-free government bonds. We offer an explanation for why investors appear to be unaware of the low returns on equity release mortgages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation that has been claimed to improve healing and mechanobiological properties of tendons both in vitro and in vivo. In this sub-study from the PATH-2 (PRP in Achilles Tendon Healing-2) trial, we report the cellular and growth factor content and quality of the Leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) (N = 103) prepared using a standardized commercial preparation method across 19 different UK centers. Baseline whole blood cell counts (red cells, leukocyte and platelets) demonstrated that the two groups were well-matched. L-PRP analysis gave a mean platelet count of 852.6 x 109/L (SD 438.96), a mean leukocyte cell count of 15.13 x 109/L (SD 10.28) and a mean red blood cell count of 0.91 x 1012/L (SD 1.49). The activation status of the L-PRP gave either low or high expression levels of the degranulation marker CD62p before and after ex-vivo platelet activation respectively. TGF-β, VEGF, PDGF, IGF and FGFb mean concentrations were 131.92 ng/ml, 0.98 ng/ml, 55.34 ng/ml, 78.2 ng/ml and 111.0 pg/ml respectively with expected correlations with both platelet and leukocyte counts. While PATH-2 results demonstrated that there was no evidence L-PRP is effective for improving clinical outcomes at 24 weeks after Achilles tendon rupture, our findings support that the majority of L-PRP properties were within the method specification and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ruptured tendons heal very slowly and complete recovery from injury is uncertain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a rich source of growth factors, is currently being widely tested as a soft tissue healing agent and may accelerate tendon repair. The authors assessed the ability of PRP to prevent in vitro adverse effects of 2 drugs commonly linked to tendon rupture and tendinopathy, glucocorticoids and fluoroquinolone antibiotics.Hypothesis: The pro-healing response induced by PRP protects human tenocytes against the cytotoxic effects of dexamethasone and ciprofloxacin.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Human primary hamstring tenocytes were exposed to different doses of ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone with and without PRP. AlamarBlue, β-galactosidase assay, and live/dead stain were used to measure, respectively, viability, senescence, and death in tenocyte culture.Results: The viability of cells exposed to high doses of ciprofloxacin was significantly decreased compared with controls, with no induced senescence but increased cell death. Dexamethasone reduced viable cell number without inducing overt cell death, but the number of senescent cells increased considerably. After co-treatment with 10% PRP, viable cell number increased significantly in both conditions and the number of dead cells decreased in ciprofloxacin-treated cultures. Moreover, dexamethasone-induced senescence was markedly reduced by co-treatment with 10% PRP.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone have differing adverse effects on human tenocytes, with ciprofloxacin inducing cell death while dexamethasone primarily induces senescence. The authors showed that PRP can protect cultured human tenocytes against cell death or senescence induced by these drugs.Clinical Relevance: Both ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone are highly effective in treatment of inflammatory and infectious conditions, therefore new strategies to minimize their adverse effects are of strong interest. These findings suggest the potential for local administration of PRP to enhance tendon healing in patients undergoing glucocorticoid or fluoroquinolone treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the result of a study regarding the values and practices in public and private sector prisons in Great Britain. It notes that the study was made in order to determine the difference on how the two sectors operate and how the different models may lead to different outcomes. It adds that the use of power, better care and less indifference treatment were observed in experienced staff in the best private sector prisons. It also discusses how the lack of power usage in the private sector prisons can affect the pursuance for cultural distinctiveness.

Presents a study which examined the presence of eating disorder syndromes in elite women distance runners in Great Britain and any associated differences in training, dieting, general health, and well-being. Method; Results; Discussion.

Presents several correspondence on health care education in Great Britain. Aspects of Parkinson's disease; Use of isoflurane as sedation agent in the intensive care unit; Focus of the general practitioners manual on immunization.

Presents several letters related to medicine in Great Britain. Aspects of Vitamin K and childhood cancer; Details on the prevention of coronary artery disease; Application of surgical castration for sex offenders.

Aims: Muslims can choose to fast during Ramadan. Guidelines exist for providing clinical support for this group, but there is a lack of culturally tailored diabetes management interventions to provide guidance. The study evaluates the implementation of a programme developed to meet this need.Methods: A Safer Ramadan is a multi-faceted package comprising a self-management and community awareness programme, and healthcare professional training. Implementation of the programme took place in two cities in the UK, prior to Ramadan 2017. Uptake and attendance were determined, and qualitative interviews and focus groups were completed with people attending the programme, and with various stakeholders involved in implementation and delivery.Results: Success of the implementation varied and engagement by primary care was limited. Three central themes emerged from the interviews highlighting barriers and facilitators of the programme implementation. These were the referral pathway, programme content and feedback on the delivery of the programme.Conclusions: Provision of interventions that provide support and education for Muslims during Ramadan was implemented in communities and valued by GPs and practice nurses. However, heavy workloads to support delivery made it difficult for practices to engage. Recommendations for future delivery of the programme indicate that greater attention should be given to marketing and its supporting practices. Furthermore, training for practice nurses to support patients prior to Ramadan and provision of funding is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]