Speaking the Same Language - The Development of a Glossary of Terms for Social Prescribing in Wales.

Introduction: Social prescribing can facilitate the integration of health, social care and community support but has a diverse and confusing terminology that impairs cross-sectoral communication and creates barriers to engagement. Methods: To address this issue a mixed-methods approach that incorporated a scoping review, a group concept mapping study and consultation was employed to identify and classify the terminology associated with social prescribing. The findings were then used to inform the development of a glossary of terms for social prescribing. Results: Many terms are used interchangeably to describe the same specific aspects of social prescribing. Much of the terminology originates from the health and social care literature of England. Discussion: The terminology used in the academic literature may not accurately reflect the terminology used by the social prescribing workforce. The innovative and interactive glossary of terms identifies the terminology associated with social prescribing and provides additional contextual information. The process of developing the dual language glossary presented several considerations and challenges. Conclusion: The glossary of terms will facilitate cross-sector communication and reduce barriers to engagement with social prescribing. It takes an important first step to help clarify and standardise the language associated with social prescribing, for professionals and members of the public alike.

The COMBO window: A chronic cranial implant for multiscale circuit interrogation in mice.

Neuroscientists studying the neural correlates of mouse behavior often lack access to the brain-wide activity patterns elicited during a specific task of interest. Fortunately, large-scale imaging is becoming increasingly accessible thanks to modalities such as Ca2+ imaging and functional ultrasound (fUS). However, these and other techniques often involve challenging cranial window procedures and are difficult to combine with other neuroscience tools. We address this need with an open-source 3D-printable cranial implant-the COMBO (ChrOnic Multimodal imaging and Behavioral Observation) window. The COMBO window enables chronic imaging of large portions of the brain in head-fixed mice while preserving orofacial movements. We validate the COMBO window stability using both brain-wide fUS and multisite two-photon imaging. Moreover, we demonstrate how the COMBO window facilitates the combination of optogenetics, fUS, and electrophysiology in the same animals to study the effects of circuit perturbations at both the brain-wide and single-neuron level. Overall, the COMBO window provides a versatile solution for performing multimodal brain recordings in head-fixed mice.

Gastric residual volume monitoring practices in UK intensive care units: A web-based survey.

Background and aim: Monitoring of gastric residual volume (GRV) to assess for enteral feeding intolerance is common practice in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting; however, evidence to support the practice is lacking. The aim of this study was: (i) to gain a perspective of current practice in adult ICUs in the UK around enteral feeding and monitoring of GRV, (ii) to characterise the threshold value used for a high GRV in clinical practice, (iii) to describe the impact of GRV monitoring on enteral feeding provision and (iv) to inform future research into the clinical value of GRV measurement in the adult ICU population. Methods: A web-based survey was sent to all UK adult ICUs. The survey consisted of questions pertaining to (i) nutritional assessment and enteral feeding practices, (ii) enteral feeding intolerance and GRV monitoring and (iii) management of raised GRV. Results: Responses were received from 101 units. Ninety-eight percent of units reported routinely measuring GRV, with 86% of ICUs using GRV to define enteral feeding intolerance. Threshold values for a high GRV varied from 200 to 1000 ml with frequency of measurement also differing greatly from 2 to 12 hourly. Initiation of pro-kinetic medication was the most common treatment for a high GRV. Fifty-two percent of respondents stated that volume of GRV would influence their decision to stop enteral feeds a lot or very much. Only 28% of units stated that they had guidelines for the technique for monitoring GRV. Conclusions: Measurement of GRV is the most common method of determining enteral feeding intolerance in adult ICUs in the UK. The practice continues despite evidence of poor validity and reproducibility of this measurement. Further research should be undertaken into the benefit of ongoing GRV measurements in the adult ICU population and alternative markers of enteral feeding intolerance.

A scoping review considering potential biomarkers or functional measures of gastrointestinal dysfunction and enteral feeding intolerance in critically ill adults.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) as a result of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in critically ill adults can lead to suboptimal nutritional delivery, increasing the risk of hospital acquired malnutrition. There are no validated measures of EFI or consensus as to which measures could be used to define EFI. The aim of this scoping review is to explore the validity of biomarkers, physiological or functional measures of GI dysfunction and EFI in critically ill adults characterising their use in routine clinical practice to identify those with GI dysfunction to better guide nutritional support. METHODS: Database searches were completed in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The search was performed until June 2022. Articles were included if they reported original studies that identify potential biomarkers or functional measures of EFI in critically ill adults. A nine-stage process was completed to extract and complete data synthesis. RESULTS: 139 unique articles were identified. Following review of titles and abstracts, 114 of these articles were excluded, three further articles were excluded after full text review and 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. A thematic analysis of the articles included identified three overarching themes of GI dysfunction: (1) Serum biomarkers, (2) Physiological markers, and (3) Functional markers. Within the category of serum biomarkers, a further three sub-categories were identified: (i) enterohormones, (ii) markers of enterocyte function, and iii) cytokines and neurotransmitters. Some associations were seen between EFI and heparin binding protein, intra-abdominal pressure, cholecystokinin and acetylcholine levels but no markers are currently suitable for daily clinical use. CONCLUSIONS: Further larger studies are required to characterise the relationships between serum biomarkers, physiological and functional makers of GI dysfunction in critically ill adults. A robust definition of GI dysfunction should be included in any future research.

A systematic review of the definitions and prevalence of feeding intolerance in critically ill adults.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The term enteral feeding intolerance (FI) is frequently used in clinical practice and the literature, yet there is no standardised definition. FI is often quoted as a reason for failure to meet enteral nutrition (EN) targets but the lack of a consensus definition precludes accurate estimates of prevalence, predictors and clinical outcomes associated with FI. A systematic review was performed of studies in adult critical care patients to evaluate the definitions, relative risk, predictors and clinical outcomes of FI and to propose a uniform definition. METHODS: Database searches were completed in MEDLINE Ovid, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, NHS Evidence, Scopus and Web of Science. The search was performed in January and February 2021. Studies were included if they had an interventional, observational cohort or case-control study design and contained a definition of FI in critically ill adults. The following data were extracted from each included article: 1) study design; 2) study objective; 3) inclusion criteria; 4) population and setting; 5) sample size; 6) definition of FI; 7) prevalence of FI; 8) predictors of FI; 9) clinical outcome measures associated with FI. Studies were grouped based on the symptoms used to define FI with random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: 89 unique studies containing a definition of FI were identified. Studies were categorised according to definition of FI into 3 groups: 1) Gastric residual volume (GRV) and/or gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (n = 74); 2) Ability to achieve EN target (n = 5); 3) Composite definitions (n = 10). Meta-analysis showed a relative risk of FI of 0.55 [95% CI 0.45, 0.68] (p < 0.00001). The most frequently reported predictors of FI were use of vasoactive drugs, sedation or use of muscle relaxants, intra-abdominal pressure and APACHE II score. CONCLUSIONS: FI is inconsistently defined in the literature but is reportedly common amongst critically ill adults. FI is most frequently defined by the presence of raised GRV and GI symptoms. However, studies show GRV to correlate poorly with delayed gastric emptying and this review demonstrated no correlation between GRV threshold and prevalence of FI. A standardised definition of FI is essential for future research and clinical practice. We propose a definition of FI including a failure to reach EN targets in addition to presence of GI symptoms. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO number CRD42020211879. Registered 29th September 2020.

Calorie provision from citrate anticoagulation in continuous renal replacement therapy in critical care.

BACKGROUND: Citrate is used as a regional anticoagulant for continuous veno-venous haemofiltration and provides 0.59 kcal/mmol. Previous studies hypothesised continuous veno-venous haemofiltration can provide 200-1300 kcal/day dependent on the anticoagulant and replacement solutions used. The aim of this study was to calculate the calorie load from citrate in our patient group. METHODS: An equation derived from a paper by Oudemans-van Straaten was used to estimate calorie provision from citrate. Citrate calorie load was defined as the difference between the citrate in the filter circuit and the removal by continuous veno-venous haemofiltration. Clinical data were recorded on 20 consecutive patients admitted to intensive care unit and commenced on citrate continuous veno-venous haemofiltration using prismacitrate 18/0 by Gambro, a tri-sodium citrate solution. Clinical data recorded included patient demographics, filter settings including blood flow, filtration factor, citrate dose and time on filtration daily. RESULTS: A total of 20 critically ill patients received continuous veno-venous haemofiltration for treatment of a new acute kidney injury, mean age 66 years, 65% male. Mean duration of continuous veno-venous haemofiltration was 3.7 days. Mean daily time on filtration was 20 h/day. Mean filtration fraction, citrate dose and blood flow were 30%, 3 mmol/L and 123 ml/min, respectively. Our calculation showed that a mean of 9.5 ± 1.7 cal/h were provided from citrate with a mean daily calorie load of 196 ± 69 kcal. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous veno-venous haemofiltration with tri-sodium citrate provided an additional 196 ± 69 kcal/day. The calorie load from citrate continuous veno-venous haemofiltration should be calculated regularly as changes in filter settings, in particular citrate dose and blood flow can have a significant impact on calorie provision.

Lysosomal Storage Disorders Shed Light on Lysosomal Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

The lysosome is a central player in the cell, acting as a clearing house for macromolecular degradation, but also plays a critical role in a variety of additional metabolic and regulatory processes. The lysosome has recently attracted the attention of neurobiologists and neurologists since a number of neurological diseases involve a lysosomal component. Among these is Parkinson's disease (PD). While heterozygous and homozygous mutations in GBA1 are the highest genetic risk factor for PD, studies performed over the past decade have suggested that lysosomal loss of function is likely involved in PD pathology, since a significant percent of PD patients have a mutation in one or more genes that cause a lysosomal storage disease (LSD). Although the mechanistic connection between the lysosome and PD remains somewhat enigmatic, significant evidence is accumulating that lysosomal dysfunction plays a central role in PD pathophysiology. Thus, lysosomal dysfunction, resulting from mutations in lysosomal genes, may enhance the accumulation of α-synuclein in the brain, which may result in the earlier development of PD.

Evaluation of implementation of fasting guidelines for enterally fed critical care patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Critically ill adults have increased nutrition risk. Prior to procedures patients are often fasted, leading to nutritional deficits. The use of fasting guidelines may therefore help reduce deficits from accumulating. The aim of this work was to determine the impact on nutrition support delivery following the implementation of fasting guidelines in addition to characterizing staff knowledge of the guidelines. DESIGN: Retrospective data were collected on n = 74 patients at two different time points; prior to launch of fasting guidelines and post launch, with regards to estimated nutritional requirements, nutritional targets, volume of enteral nutrition (EN) delivered and periods of fasting. Clinical variables of interest were collected for up to 14 days. Questionnaires assessing staff knowledge/barriers to usage of the fasting guidelines were administered to ICU staff. SETTING: 3 ICUs (General, Cardiac and Neurosciences) within University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. PATIENTS: Mechanically ventilated adults in an ICU and receiving exclusive EN. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Comparison was made between pre- and post-guideline implementation with statistically significant improvements in the % EN delivered (76.4 ± 11.8 vs. 84.1 ± 10.8 (p = 0.0009)) and duration of feeds withheld (41.5 ± 26.6 vs. 27.6 ± 20.8 h (p = 0.02)). There were non-significant improvements pre- and post-implementation in the % of energy and protein delivered (80.7 ± 16.4 vs. 86.5 ± 17.3 (p = 0.15 (NS)); 74 ± 18.3 vs. 79 ± 18.5 (p = 0.15 (NS))). 77% of staff were familiar with the guidelines, whilst 42% requested further education. The main barriers to guideline compliance were delays and unpredictable timing of procedures, and differing guidance from senior staff and non-ICU teams. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of fasting guidelines led to significant improvements in EN delivery and reduced duration of feed breaks. The use of fasting guidelines is a positive step towards increasing nutrition delivery in the ICU. Further staff education and better planning around procedures is required to promote further adherence to the fasting guidelines.

Exploring fasting practices for critical care patients - A web-based survey of UK intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Enteral nutrition delivery in the critically ill is frequently interrupted for surgical and airway procedures to avoid aspiration of stomach contents. Recurrent fasting leads to under delivery of enteral nutrition and this underfeeding is associated with worse outcomes. International fasting recommendations do not provide guidance for intubated patients receiving enteral nutrition. This study aimed to gain a detailed perspective of UK critical care fasting practices. METHODS: A web-based survey was sent to 232 UK intensive care units consisting of questions relating to fasting practices, presence of guidelines, average fasting times for common procedures and dietitian time per intensive care unit bed. RESULTS: A total of 176 intensive care units responded. Only 20% of units had guidelines and respondents stated that they were not consistently adhered to (mean compliance 66%). Units with greater dietetic involvement were more likely to have guidelines (p = 0.04). Fasting times were shorter for abdominal surgery (p = 0.002), non-abdominal surgery (p = 0.016) and radiology (p = 0.015) if a guideline was present. Fasting for extubation and tracheostomy was similar irrespective of the presence of a guideline. Considerable variation in fasting times was reported, usually due to inconsistencies in clinical decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: This survey of national practice demonstrates that fasting times are varied and inconsistent, which may lead to under-delivery of enteral nutrition. More dietetic input was associated with increased likelihood of a fasting guideline.