Opportunities for change and levelling up: a trust wide retrospective analysis of 8 years of laparoscopic and abdominal myomectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic myomectomy is increasingly considered the gold standard uterine preserving procedure and has well documented benefits over the open approach. Barriers that women have in accessing the most appropriate treatment need to be addressed to ensure optimal patient care and outcomes. Objectives: To analyse rates of open and laparoscopic myomectomy at a large NHS trust and identify how many cases could potentially have been performed laparoscopically, and any variation between sites. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of preoperative imaging reports and a surgical database containing information for all myomectomies performed between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2022. Main outcome measures: Number of procedures suitable for alternative surgical approach; length of hospital stay; estimated blood loss; cost differences. Results: 846 myomectomies were performed; 656 by laparotomy and 190 by laparoscopy. 194/591 (32.8%) open myomectomies could have been performed laparoscopically and 26/172 (15.1%) laparoscopic myomectomies may have been better performed via an open approach. Length of hospital stay, and estimated blood loss were significantly higher in the open group. Had cases been performed as indicated by pre-operative imaging, the cost differences ranged from -£115,752 to £251,832. Conclusions: There is disparity in access to the gold standard care of laparoscopic myomectomy. Due to multifactorial reasons, even at sites where the rate of laparoscopic myomectomy is high, there is still underutilisation of this approach. It is clear that there is scope for change and "levelling up" of this imbalance. What is new?: Robust pathways and guidelines must be developed, and more laparoscopic surgeons should be trained to optimise care for women with fibroids.

Evaluating use of IOTA two-step strategy to classify adnexal masses identified in pregnancy: pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was the validation of benign descriptors (BDs), followed by Assessment of Different NEoplasia's of the adneXa (ADNEX) (when BDs cannot be applied), in a two-step strategy to classify adnexal masses in pregnancy. The secondary aim was to describe the natural history of adnexal masses in pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of women with an adnexal mass on ultrasonography identified during pregnancy between 2017 and 2022. The study was conducted at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, UK. Relevant clinical and ultrasound data were extracted from the medical records and ultrasound software astraia. Adnexal masses were classified and managed according to expert subjective assessment (SA). Ultrasound features were recorded prospectively at the time of ultrasound examination. Borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) were classified as malignant. Benign Descriptors (BDs) were applied to classify adnexal masses, in cases where BDs were not applicable, the ADNEX model (using a risk of malignancy of >10%) was used, in a two-step strategy. The two-step strategy was applied retrospectively. The reference standard used was histology (where available) or expert SA at the postnatal ultrasound scan. RESULTS: 291 women with a median age of 33 (IQR 29-36) years presented with an adnexal mass in pregnancy, at a median gestation of 12 (IQR 8-17) weeks. 267 (267/291, 91.8%) women were followed up to the postnatal period, as 24 women (24/291, 8.2%) were lost to follow up. Based on the reference standard, 4.1% of adnexal masses (11/267) were classified as malignant (all BOTs) and 95.9% (256/267) as benign (41 on histology and 215 based on expert SA at postnatal ultrasound). BDs could be applied to 68.9% of adnexal masses (184/267); of these only one mass (BOT) was misclassified as benign (1/184, 0.5%). ADNEX was used to classify the residual masses (83/267) and misclassified three BOTs as benign (3/10, 30.0%) and 25 benign masses (based on reference standard) as malignant (25/73, 34.2%), 13 (13/25, 52.0%) of these were classified as decidualised endometriomas on expert SA, with confirmed resolution of decidualisation in the postnatal period. The two-step strategy had a specificity of 90.2%, sensitivity of 63.6%, negative predictive value of 98.3% and positive predictive value of 21.9%. 56 (56/267, 21.0%) women had surgical intervention, four as an emergency during pregnancy (4/267, 1.5%,) and four (4/267, 1.5%) electively during caesarean section. 48 (48/267, 18.0%) women had surgical intervention in the post-natal period, 11 (11/267, 4.1%) in the first 12 weeks postnatal and 37 >12 weeks (37/267, 13.9%) postnatal. 64 (64/267, 24.0%) adnexal masses resolved spontaneously during follow up. Cyst-related complications occurred in four women (4/267, 1.5%) during pregnancy (ovarian torsion n=2, cyst rupture n=2) and six (6/267, 2.2%) in the postnatal period (all ovarian torsion). 196 (196/267, 73.4%) had a persistent adnexal mass, including one of the women who had an ovarian torsion and underwent de-torsion and had a persistent adnexal mass at postnatal ultrasound. Presumed decidualisation occurred in 31.1% (19/61) of endometriomas and had resolved in 89.5% (17/19) by the first postnatal ultrasound scan. CONCLUSION: We found Benign Descriptors apply to most masses in pregnancy, however the small number of malignant tumours in the cohort (4.1%) restricted the evaluation of the ADNEX model, so expert subjective assessment should be used to classify adnexal masses in pregnancy, when BDs do not apply. A larger multicentre prospective study is required to evaluate the use of the ADNEX model to classify adnexal masses in pregnancy. Our data suggests that most adnexal masses can be managed expectantly during pregnancy given a large proportion of masses spontaneously resolved and the low risk of complications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A recently formed ocean inside Saturn's moon Mimas.

Moons potentially harbouring a global ocean are tending to become relatively common objects in the Solar System1. The presence of these long-lived global oceans is generally betrayed by surface modification owing to internal dynamics2. Hence, Mimas would be the most unlikely place to look for the presence of a global ocean3. Here, from detailed analysis of Mimas's orbital motion based on Cassini data, with a particular focus on Mimas's periapsis drift, we show that its heavily cratered icy shell hides a global ocean, at a depth of 20-30 kilometres. Eccentricity damping implies that the ocean is likely to be less than 25 million years old and still evolving. Our simulations show that the ocean-ice interface reached a depth of less than 30 kilometres only recently (less than 2-3 million years ago), a time span too short for signs of activity at Mimas's surface to have appeared.

The effect of a novel, digital physical activity and emotional well-being intervention on health-related quality of life in people with chronic kidney disease: trial design and baseline data from a multicentre prospective, wait-list randomised controlled trial (kidney BEAM).

BACKGROUND: Physical activity and emotional self-management has the potential to enhance health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but few people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have access to resources and support. The Kidney BEAM trial aims to evaluate whether an evidence-based physical activity and emotional wellbeing self-management programme (Kidney BEAM) leads to improvements in HRQoL in people with CKD. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicentre, randomised waitlist-controlled trial, with health economic analysis and nested qualitative studies. In total, three hundred and four adults with established CKD were recruited from 11 UK kidney units. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (Kidney BEAM) or a wait list control group (1:1). The primary outcome was the between-group difference in Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQoL) mental component summary score (MCS) at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included the KDQoL physical component summary score, kidney-specific scores, fatigue, life participation, depression and anxiety, physical function, clinical chemistry, healthcare utilisation and harms. All outcomes were measured at baseline and 12 weeks, with long-term HRQoL and adherence also collected at six months follow-up. A nested qualitative study explored experience and impact of using Kidney BEAM. RESULTS: 340 participants were randomised to Kidney BEAM (n = 173) and waiting list (n = 167) groups. There were 96 (55%) and 89 (53%) males in the intervention and waiting list groups respectively, and the mean (SD) age was 53 (14) years in both groups. Ethnicity, body mass, CKD stage, and history of diabetes and hypertension were comparable across groups. The mean (SD) of the MCS was similar in both groups, 44.7 (10.8) and 45.9 (10.6) in the intervention and waiting list groups respectively. CONCLUSION: Results from this trial will establish whether the Kidney BEAM self management programme is a cost-effective method of enhancing mental and physical wellbeing of people with CKD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04872933. Registered 5th May 2021.

High-performance, additively-manufactured atomic spectroscopy apparatus for portable quantum technologies.

We demonstrate a miniaturised and highly robust system for performing Doppler-free spectroscopy on thermal atomic vapour for three frequencies as required for cold atom-based quantum technologies. The application of additive manufacturing techniques, together with efficient use of optical components, produce a compact, stable optical system, with a volume of 0.089 L and a weight of 120 g. The device occupies less than a tenth of the volume of, and is considerably lower cost than, conventional spectroscopic systems, but also offers excellent stability against environmental disturbances. We characterise the response of the system to changes in environmental temperature between 7 and 35 ∘C and exposure to vibrations between 0 - 2000 Hz, finding that the system can reliably perform spectroscopic measurements despite substantial vibrational noise and temperature changes. Our results show that 3D-printed optical systems are an excellent solution for portable quantum technologies.

Variation of outcome reporting in studies of interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) detrimentally effects women. It is important to be able to compare treatments and synthesise data to understand which interventions are most beneficial, however, when there is variation in outcome reporting, this is difficult. Objectives: To identify variation in reported outcomes in clinical studies of interventions for HMB. Materials and Methods: Searches were performed in medical databases and trial registries, using the terms 'heavy menstrual bleeding', menorrhagia*, hypermenorrhoea*, HMB, "heavy period "period", effective*, therapy*, treatment, intervention, manage* and associated MeSH terms. Two authors independently reviewed and selected citations according to pre-defined selection criteria, including both randomised and observational studies. The following data were extracted- study characteristics, methodology and quality, and all reported outcomes. Analysis considered the frequency of reporting. Results: There were 14 individual primary outcomes, however reporting was varied, resulting in 45 specific primary outcomes. There were 165 specific secondary outcomes. The most reported outcomes were menstrual blood loss and adverse events. Conclusions: A core outcome set (COS) would reduce the evident variation in reporting of outcomes in studies of HMB, allowing more complete combination and comparison of study results and preventing reporting bias. What is new?: This in-depth review of past research into heavy menstrual bleeding shows that there is the need for a core outcome set for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Practising pharmacists want more nutrition education.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although pharmacists are first and foremost medication specialists and suppliers, in Australia they are also ideally positioned within the healthcare setting to encourage and support positive lifestyle choices in the community. Little has been done to assess their nutrition knowledge in over 20 years. We aimed to explore pharmacists' nutrition knowledge and associated practice and to subsequently develop and evaluate a short course to fill identified gaps. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: The General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire was revised for testing nutrition knowledge in the pharmacy setting. Once validated, the questionnaire was distributed to pharmacists using social/professional media advertising. A short course was then developed, and its effectiveness assessed on final-year pharmacy students. FINDINGS: Pharmacists' (N = 258) mean score was 89.9 out of 121 (SD = 10.6) with significant variation. Nutrition education provision in practice was provided inconsistently and was associated with how strongly participants rated their own knowledge. Most pharmacists (95.7%) agreed they are well-placed to assist in disease burden reduction through nutrition education; however, most (98.4%) felt their knowledge needed improvement. The short course was well received by participants, deemed to be appropriate in context, and resulted in a median improvement in matched scores of 14.7% (P < .001) with no significant decline in knowledge when reassessed three weeks later (P = .383). SUMMARY: Pharmacists' nutrition knowledge and practice was variable. Further education can improve knowledge without significant time outlay and is likely to improve associated counselling practices.

Moiré-Induced Optical Nonlinearities: Single- and Multiphoton Resonances.

Moiré excitons promise a new platform with which to generate and manipulate hybrid quantum phases of light and matter in unprecedented regimes of interaction strength. We explore the properties in this regime, through studies of a Bose-Hubbard model of excitons coupled to cavity photons. We show that the steady states exhibit a rich phase diagram with pronounced bistabilities governed by multiphoton resonances reflecting the strong interexciton interactions. In the presence of an incoherent pumping of excitons we find that the system can realize single- and multiphoton lasers.

Ultrasound characteristics, serum biochemistry and outcome of ectopic pregnancies presenting during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the characteristics of ectopic pregnancies (EPs) in the year prior to vs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of women diagnosed with an EP on transvaginal sonography conducted at a center in London, UK, providing early-pregnancy assessment, between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020. Women were identified via the Astraia ultrasound reporting system using coded and non-coded outcomes of EP or pregnancy outside the uterine cavity. Data related to predefined outcomes were collected using Astraia and Cerner electronic reporting systems. Main outcome measures included clinical, ultrasound and biochemical features of EP, in addition to reported complications and management. RESULTS: There were 22 683 consultations over the 2-year period. Following consultation, a similar number and proportion of EPs were diagnosed in 2019 (141/12 657 (1%)) and 2020 (134/10 026 (1%)). Both cohorts were comparable in age, ethnicity, weight and method of conception. Gestational age at the first transvaginal sonography scan and at diagnosis were similar, and no difference in location, size or morphology of EP was found between the two cohorts. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels at the time of EP diagnosis were higher in 2020 than in 2019 (1005 IU/L vs 665 IU/L; P = 0.03). The proportions of women according to type of final EP management were similar, but the rate of failed first-line management was higher during vs before the pandemic (16% vs 6%; P = 0.01). The rates of blood detected in the pelvis (hemoperitoneum) on ultrasound (23% vs 26%; P = 0.58) and of ruptured EP confirmed surgically (9% vs 3%; P = 0.07) were similar in 2019 vs 2020. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed in the location, size, morphology or gestational age at the first ultrasound examination or at diagnosis of EP between women diagnosed before vs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Complication rates and final management strategy were also unchanged. However, hCG levels and the failure rate of first-line conservative management measures were higher during the pandemic. Our findings suggest that women continued to access appropriate care for EP during the COVID-19 pandemic, with no evidence of diagnostic delay or an increase in adverse outcome in our population. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

ΔK=0 M1 Excitation Strength of the Well-Deformed Nucleus

The size of a ΔK=0 M1 excitation strength has been determined for the first time in a predominantly axially deformed even-even nucleus. It has been obtained from the observation of a rare K-mixing situation between two close-lying J^{π}=1^{+} states of the nucleus ^{164}Dy with components characterized by intrinsic projection quantum numbers K=0 and K=1. Nuclear resonance fluorescence induced by quasimonochromatic linearly polarized γ-ray beams provided evidence for K mixing of the 1^{+} states at 3159.1(3) and 3173.6(3) keV in excitation energy from their γ-decay branching ratios into the ground-state band. The ΔK=0 transition strength of B(M1;0_{1}^{+}→1_{K=0}^{+})=0.008(1)µ_{N}^{2} was inferred from a mixing analysis of their M1 transition rates into the ground-state band. It is in agreement with predictions from the quasiparticle phonon nuclear model. This determination represents first experimental information on the M1 excitation strength of a nuclear quantum state with a negative R-symmetry quantum number.

Correction: Evidence-Based Guideline on Laparoscopy in Pregnancy: Commissioned by the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) Endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG).

[This corrects the article on p. 5 in vol. 11, PMID: 31695854.].

Effectiveness of control strategies for Varroa jacobsoni and Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Papua New Guinea.

Apiculture in the Pacific island country of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is under significant pressure from emerging parasitic mites, Varroa jacobsoni and Tropilaelaps mercedesae. Although numerous mite control products exist, beekeepers in PNG have limited resources and access to these products and their effectiveness under local conditions is untested. Here we determined the effectiveness of two brood manipulation strategies-queen caging and queen removal-for managing V. jacobsoni and T. mercedesae in comparison to the chemical miticide Bayvarol®. Our results found Bayvarol was the most effective control strategy for V. jacobsoni, maintaining high efficacy (> 90%) over 4 months with significantly reduced levels of V. jacobsoni compared to untreated control hives. In contrast, T. mercedesae were significantly reduced by the brood manipulation strategies over 2 months, but not significantly by Bayvarol compared to the controls. These results highlight that a combination of strategies is likely needed to effectively manage both mite pests in PNG. We discuss how these findings are relevant to informing best practice for honey bee biosecurity and how these strategies can be implemented to improve the effectiveness of mite management for PNG beekeepers.

P-Band Induced Self-Organization and Dynamics with Repulsively Driven Ultracold Atoms in an Optical Cavity.

We investigate a Bose-Einstein condensate strongly coupled to an optical cavity via a repulsive optical lattice. We detect a stable self-ordered phase in this regime, and show that the atoms order through an antisymmetric coupling to the P band of the lattice, limiting the extent of the phase and changing the geometry of the emergent density modulation. Furthermore, we find a nonequilibrium phase with repeated intense bursts of the intracavity photon number, indicating nontrivial driven-dissipative dynamics.

Evidence-Based Guideline on Laparoscopy in Pregnancy: Commissioned by the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) Endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG).

Laparoscopy is widely utilised to diagnose and treat acute and chronic, gynaecological and general surgical conditions. It has only been in recent years that laparoscopy has become an acceptable surgical alternative to open surgery in pregnancy. To date there is little clinical guidance pertaining to laparoscopic surgery in pregnancy. This is why the BSGE commissioned this guideline. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane library were searched up to February 2017 and evidence was collated and graded following the NICE-approved process. The conditions included in this guideline are laparoscopic management of acute appendicitis, acute gall bladder disease and symptomatic benign adnexal tumours in pregnancy. The intended audience for this guideline is obstetricians and gynaecologists in secondary and tertiary care, general surgeons and anaesthetists. However, only laparoscopists who have adequate laparoscopic skills and who perform complex laparoscopic surgery regularly should undertake laparoscopy in pregnant women, since much of the evidence stems from specialised centres.

Prospects for strongly coupled atom-photon quantum nodes.

We discuss the trapping of cold atoms within microscopic voids drilled perpendicularly through the axis of an optical waveguide. The dimensions of the voids considered are between 1 and 40 optical wavelengths. By simulating light transmission across the voids, we find that appropriate shaping of the voids can substantially reduce the associated loss of optical power. Our results demonstrate that the formation of an optical cavity around such a void could produce strong coupling between the atoms and the guided light. By bringing multiple atoms into a single void and exploiting collective enhancement, cooperativities ~400 or more should be achievable. The simulations are carried out using a finite difference time domain method. Methods for the production of such a void and the trapping of cold atoms within it are also discussed.

Cognitive regulation of ventromedial prefrontal activity evokes lasting change in the perceived self-relevance of persuasive messaging.

Persuasive messages can change people's thoughts, feelings, and actions, but these effects depend on how people think about and appraise the meaning of these messages. Drawing from research on the cognitive control of emotion, we used neuroimaging to investigate neural mechanisms underlying cognitive regulation of the affective and persuasive impact of advertisements communicating the risks of binge drinking, a significant public health problem. Using cognitive control to up-regulate (vs. down-regulate) responses to the ads increased: negative affect related to consequences of excessive drinking, perceived ad effectiveness, and ratings of ad self-relevance made after a one-hour delay. Neurally, these effects of cognitive control were mediated by goal-congruent modulation of ventromedial prefrontal cortex and distributed brain patterns associated with negative emotion and subjective valuation. These findings suggest that people can leverage cognitive control resources to deliberately shape responses to persuasive appeals, and identify mechanisms of emotional reactivity and integrative valuation that underlie this ability. Specifically, brain valuation pattern expression mediated the effect of cognitive goals on perceived message self-relevance, suggesting a role for the brain's valuation system in shaping responses to persuasive appeals in a manner that persists over time.

Topological bands for ultracold atoms.

There have been significant recent advances in realizing band structures with geometrical and topological features in experiments on cold atomic gases. This review summarizes these developments, beginning with a summary of the key concepts of geometry and topology for Bloch bands. Descriptions are given of the different methods that have been used to generate these novel band structures for cold atoms and of the physical observables that have allowed their characterization. The focus is on the physical principles that underlie the different experimental approaches, providing a conceptual framework within which to view these developments. Also described is how specific experimental implementations can influence physical properties. Moving beyond single-particle effects, descriptions are given of the forms of interparticle interactions that emerge when atoms are subjected to these energy bands and of some of the many-body phases that may be sought in future experiments.

A 30-Min Nucleic Acid Amplification Point-of-Care Test for Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Women: A Prospective, Multi-center Study of Diagnostic Accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Rapid Point-Of-Care Tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) may reduce onward transmission and reproductive sexual health (RSH) sequelae by reducing turnaround times between diagnosis and treatment. The io® single module system (Atlas Genetics Ltd.) runs clinical samples through a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-based CT cartridge, delivering results in 30min. METHODS: Prospective diagnostic accuracy study of the io® CT-assay in four UK Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM)/RSH clinics on additional-to-routine self-collected vulvovaginal swabs. Samples were tested "fresh" within 10days of collection, or "frozen" at -80°C for later testing. Participant characteristics were collected to assess risk factors associated with CT infection. RESULTS: CT prevalence was 7.2% (51/709) overall. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the io® CT assay were, respectively, 96.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 86.5-99.5), 97.7% (95%CI: 96.3-98.7), 76.6% (95%CI: 64.3-86.2) and 99.7% (95%CI: 98.9-100). The only risk factor associated with CT infection was being a sexual contact of an individual with CT. CONCLUSIONS: The io® CT-assay is a 30-min, fully automated, high-performing NAAT currently CE-marked for CT diagnosis in women, making it a highly promising diagnostic to enable specific treatment, initiation of partner notification and appropriately intensive health promotion at the point of care.