Psychedelic Experiences Increase Mind Perception but do not Change Atheist-Believer Status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Recent studies suggest psychedelic use may be associated with changes in a variety of beliefs or belief-like states, including increased 1) mind perception, 2) non-naturalistic beliefs, and 3) Atheist-Believer status (e.g. believer, agnostic, or nonbeliever). We conducted a prospective longitudinal study among participants (N = 657) who planned to have a psilocybin experience outside a laboratory setting. We asked participants about their beliefs concerning mind perception of various entities, specific metaphysical positions, and Atheist-Believer status both before (and after their experience. Replicating previous findings, we observed increases in mind perception across a variety of living and non-living targets (e.g. plants, rocks). However, we found little to no change in metaphysical beliefs (e.g. dualism) or Atheist-Believer status. Taken together, these findings contrast with those from cross-sectional studies that psilocybin experiences result in changes to Atheist-Believer status and non-naturalistic beliefs but support the relevance of mind perception and mentalization.

Long-term benefits to psychological health and well-being after ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in Middle Eastern and North African immigrants and refugees.

Background: Refugees and immigrants can experience complex stressors from the process of immigration that can have lasting and severe long-term mental health consequences. Experiences after ayahuasca ingestion are shown to produce positive effects on psychological wellbeing and mental health, including anecdotal reports of improved symptoms of trauma and related disorders. However, data on the longitudinal health impact of naturalistic ayahuasca use in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigrant and refugee populations is limited. Aims: The current longitudinal online survey study was conducted to gather prospective data on ceremonial ayahuasca use in a group (N = 15) of primarily female MENA immigrants and refugees and to provide further insight into the patterns and outcomes surrounding that use. The study sought to assess self-reported changes in physical and mental health, well-being, and psychological functioning, examine relationships between aspects of individual mindset (e.g., psychedelic preparedness) prior to ayahuasca use and observed outcomes during (e.g., subjective drug effects) and afterwards (i.e., persisting effects), characterize risks and negative experiences, and describe trauma exposure and personal history. Results/Outcomes: Our findings revealed ceremonial use of ayahuasca is associated with significant improvements in mental health, well-being, and psychological functioning, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and shame, and increases in cognitive reappraisal and self-compassion. Most participants reported no lasting adverse effects and experienced notable positive behavioral changes persisting months after ingestion. Conclusion/Interpretation: While preliminary, results suggest naturalistic ayahuasca use might hold therapeutic potential for MENA populations exposed to trauma prior to and during the process of migration.

An observational time-series study on the behavioral effects of adjunctive artisanal cannabidiol use by adults with treatment resistant epilepsies.

BACKGROUND: For approximately 30% of people with epilepsy, seizures are not well-controlled by anti-seizure medication (ASM). This condition, called treatment resistant epilepsy (TRE), is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and substantially impacts the quality of life of both the individual and their family. Non-responsiveness to ASMs leads many people with TRE to seek alternative therapies, such as cannabinoid-based medication, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), with or without medical or professional advice. This is due in part to widespread reporting in the media about the benefits of CBD for seizures in some forms of epilepsy. METHODS: Adults with TRE, opting to add CBD to their existing treatment regime, completed this prospective, observational, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, time-series study. We hypothesized that adjunctive CBD use would positively impact participants' quality of life and psychological well-being in comparison to a baseline period without CBD use. Participants were followed for a period of approximately six months - for approximately one month of baseline prior to the initiation of CBD use and approximately five months after the initiation of CBD use. Participants provided urine samples and completed behavioral questionnaires that assessed quality of life, anxiety/depression, and adverse events during baseline and at two times during CBD use. RESULTS: Complete case analyses (n = 10) showed a statistically significant improvement in quality of life, a statistically significant decrease in anxiety symptoms, and a statistically significant decrease in the experience of adverse events over time (p < 0.05). Improvements noted in the experience of depression symptoms did not reach statistical significance. Urinalysis revealed the majority of participants had no CBD/metabolites in their system at the beginning of the study, and confirmed the presence of CBD/metabolites in participants' urine after CBD was added to their treatment regime. Analysis of missing data using multiple imputation supported the findings of the complete case analysis. INTERPRETATION: For a small group of individuals with TRE of varying etiologies, adjunctive use of artisanal CBD was associated with improvements in the behavioral and psychological symptoms of TRE, as well as improved medication tolerability.

Integration of a nurse practitioner and physician associate leadership structure within an academic cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Nurse practitioners and physician associates are an essential part of the multidisciplinary cancer care team with expanding and evolving roles within cancer specialties. LOCAL PROBLEM: As these clinicians flourish, a parallel need for leadership rises to optimize scope of practice, mentor, and retain this crucial workforce. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to development a nurse practitioner and physician associate leadership structure within an academic cancer center. METHODS: Development of this nurse practitioner and physician associate leadership structure was guided by transformational leadership theory. In collaboration with nursing, business, and physician leadership, a quad structure was supported. INTERVENTIONS: Implementation of a leadership structure included the establishment of eight team leaders and two managers. These leaders identified multiple opportunities for improvement including improved communications, offload of nonbillable work, development of incentive programs, provision of equipment, specialty practice alignment, hematology/oncology fellowship, and professional development. RESULTS: Overall, a nurse practitioner and physician associate leadership structure allowed for representation across the cancer center. Such inclusion supported multiple quality improvement projects developed in partnership with nursing, business, and physician leaders. Cumulatively, these interventions yielded efficient workflows and expansion of services. Consistent with reported evidence, these efforts contributed to nurse practitioner and physician associate retention as well as improved job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced practice leadership is essential to recruiting, developing, supporting, and retaining nurse practitioner and physician assistant colleagues in cancer care.

Plasma Protein Biomarkers Distinguish Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children From Other Pediatric Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious hyperinflammatory complication following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The mechanisms underpinning the pathophysiology of MIS-C are poorly understood. Moreover, clinically distinguishing MIS-C from other childhood infectious and inflammatory conditions, such as Kawasaki disease or severe bacterial and viral infections, is challenging due to overlapping clinical and laboratory features. We aimed to determine a set of plasma protein biomarkers that could discriminate MIS-C from those other diseases. METHODS: Seven candidate protein biomarkers for MIS-C were selected based on literature and from whole blood RNA sequencing data from patients with MIS-C and other diseases. Plasma concentrations of ARG1, CCL20, CD163, CORIN, CXCL9, PCSK9 and ADAMTS2 were quantified in MIS-C (n = 22), Kawasaki disease (n = 23), definite bacterial (n = 28) and viral (n = 27) disease and healthy controls (n = 8). Logistic regression models were used to determine the discriminatory ability of individual proteins and protein combinations to identify MIS-C and association with severity of illness. RESULTS: Plasma levels of CD163, CXCL9 and PCSK9 were significantly elevated in MIS-C with a combined area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 85.7% (95% confidence interval: 76.6%-94.8%) for discriminating MIS-C from other childhood diseases. Lower ARG1 and CORIN plasma levels were significantly associated with severe MIS-C cases requiring inotropes, pediatric intensive care unit admission or with shock. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of a host protein biomarker signature for MIS-C and may provide new insight into its pathophysiology.

Navigating the pathway to advanced practice: A grounded theory of nurse practitioner role transition in a fellowship.

BACKGROUND: Greater attention to the transitional period for advanced practice nurses has urged health care organizations and employers to implement fellowships. Currently, the theoretical process of nurse practitioner (NP) role transition from the essential perspectives of NP fellows does not exist. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to construct a middle-range theory grounded in reality of an NP fellowship environment that explains how NPs transition to their new role. METHODOLOGY: Following Charmaz's constructivist methodology, 11 NPs who transitioned to practice in a fellowship were interviewed. RESULTS: "Navigating the Pathway to Advanced Practice: A Grounded Theory of Nurse Practitioner Role Transition in a Fellowship" emerged from the data and is composed of through five phases: (1) mapping a path, (2) stepping onto the trailhead, (3) navigating the trailway, (4) gaining traction, and (5) summiting. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting middle-range theory is the first in the nursing literature that conceptualizes meaning about NP role transition in a fellowship. This process occurs in the contextual factor of a realm of support that includes growth, value, lifelong learning, and readiness. Throughout this process, NPs build competence and confidence that advances them to summit, or transition, to their NP role at the completion of an NP fellowship. IMPLICATIONS: This discovery will fill the research gap pertaining to best practice interventions in support of NPs during role transition in fellowships. Understanding how NPs transition to their new advanced practice roles may inform organizations on how to structure fellowships that support learning, encourage confidence, and enhance competence.

Analysis of blood and nasal epithelial transcriptomes to identify mechanisms associated with control of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the upper respiratory tract.

OBJECTIVES: The amount of SARS-CoV-2 detected in the upper respiratory tract (URT viral load) is a key driver of transmission of infection. Current evidence suggests that mechanisms constraining URT viral load are different from those controlling lower respiratory tract viral load and disease severity. Understanding such mechanisms may help to develop treatments and vaccine strategies to reduce transmission. Combining mathematical modelling of URT viral load dynamics with transcriptome analyses we aimed to identify mechanisms controlling URT viral load. METHODS: COVID-19 patients were recruited in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic. RNA sequencing of peripheral blood and targeted NanoString nCounter transcriptome analysis of nasal epithelium were performed and gene expression analysed in relation to paired URT viral load samples collected within 15 days of symptom onset. Proportions of major immune cells in blood were estimated from transcriptional data using computational differential estimation. Weighted correlation network analysis (adjusted for cell proportions) and fixed transcriptional repertoire analysis were used to identify associations with URT viral load, quantified as standard deviations (z-scores) from an expected trajectory over time. RESULTS: Eighty-two subjects (50% female, median age 54 years (range 3-73)) with COVID-19 were recruited. Paired URT viral load samples were available for 16 blood transcriptome samples, and 17 respiratory epithelial transcriptome samples. Natural Killer (NK) cells were the only blood cell type significantly correlated with URT viral load z-scores (r = -0.62, P = 0.010). Twenty-four blood gene expression modules were significantly correlated with URT viral load z-score, the most significant being a module of genes connected around IFNA14 (Interferon Alpha-14) expression (r = -0.60, P = 1e-10). In fixed repertoire analysis, prostanoid-related gene expression was significantly associated with higher viral load. In nasal epithelium, only GNLY (granulysin) gene expression showed significant negative correlation with viral load. CONCLUSIONS: Correlations between the transcriptional host response and inter-individual variations in SARS-CoV-2 URT viral load, revealed many molecular mechanisms plausibly favouring or constraining viral replication. Existing evidence corroborates many of these mechanisms, including likely roles for NK cells, granulysin, prostanoids and interferon alpha-14. Inhibition of prostanoid production and administration of interferon alpha-14 may be attractive transmission-blocking interventions.

A multi-platform approach to identify a blood-based host protein signature for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections in febrile children (PERFORM): a multi-cohort machine learning study.

BACKGROUND: Differentiating between self-resolving viral infections and bacterial infections in children who are febrile is a common challenge, causing difficulties in identifying which individuals require antibiotics. Studying the host response to infection can provide useful insights and can lead to the identification of biomarkers of infection with diagnostic potential. This study aimed to identify host protein biomarkers for future development into an accurate, rapid point-of-care test that can distinguish between bacterial and viral infections, by recruiting children presenting to health-care settings with fever or a history of fever in the previous 72 h. METHODS: In this multi-cohort machine learning study, patient data were taken from EUCLIDS, the Swiss Pediatric Sepsis study, the GENDRES study, and the PERFORM study, which were all based in Europe. We generated three high-dimensional proteomic datasets (SomaScan and two via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, referred to as MS-A and MS-B) using targeted and untargeted platforms (SomaScan and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry). Protein biomarkers were then shortlisted using differential abundance analysis, feature selection using forward selection-partial least squares (FS-PLS; 100 iterations), along with a literature search. Identified proteins were tested with Luminex and ELISA and iterative FS-PLS was done again (25 iterations) on the Luminex results alone, and the Luminex and ELISA results together. A sparse protein signature for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections was identified from the selected proteins. The performance of this signature was finally tested using Luminex assays and by calculating disease risk scores. FINDINGS: 376 children provided serum or plasma samples for use in the discovery of protein biomarkers. 79 serum samples were collected for the generation of the SomaScan dataset, 147 plasma samples for the MS-A dataset, and 150 plasma samples for the MS-B dataset. Differential abundance analysis, and the first round of feature selection using FS-PLS identified 35 protein biomarker candidates, of which 13 had commercial ELISA or Luminex tests available. 16 proteins with ELISA or Luminex tests available were identified by literature review. Further evaluation via Luminex and ELISA and the second round of feature selection using FS-PLS revealed a six-protein signature: three of the included proteins are elevated in bacterial infections (SELE, NGAL, and IFN-γ), and three are elevated in viral infections (IL18, NCAM1, and LG3BP). Performance testing of the signature using Luminex assays revealed area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values between 89·4% and 93·6%. INTERPRETATION: This study has led to the identification of a protein signature that could be ultimately developed into a blood-based point-of-care diagnostic test for rapidly diagnosing bacterial and viral infections in febrile children. Such a test has the potential to greatly improve care of children who are febrile, ensuring that the correct individuals receive antibiotics. FUNDING: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (EUCLIDS), Imperial Biomedical Research Centre of the National Institute for Health Research, the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Foundation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Grupos de Refeencia Competitiva, Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.

Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: results from a prospective, longitudinal survey.

Introduction: The classic psychedelic psilocybin, found in some mushroom species, has received renewed interest in clinical research, showing potential mental health benefits in preliminary trials. Naturalistic use of psilocybin outside of research settings has increased in recent years, though data on the public health impact of such use remain limited. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal study comprised six sequential automated web-based surveys that collected data from adults planning to take psilocybin outside clinical research: at time of consent, 2 weeks before, the day before, 1-3 days after, 2-4 weeks after, and 2-3 months after psilocybin use. Results: A sample of 2,833 respondents completed all baseline assessments approximately 2 weeks before psilocybin use, 1,182 completed the 2-4 week post-use survey, and 657 completed the final follow-up survey 2-3 months after psilocybin use. Participants were primarily college-educated White men residing in the United States with a prior history of psychedelic use; mean age = 40 years. Participants primarily used dried psilocybin mushrooms (mean dose = 3.1 grams) for "self-exploration" purposes. Prospective longitudinal data collected before and after a planned psilocybin experience on average showed persisting reductions in anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse, increased cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, spiritual wellbeing, and extraversion, and reduced neuroticism and burnout after psilocybin use. However, a minority of participants (11% at 2-4 weeks and 7% at 2-3 months) reported persisting negative effects after psilocybin use (e.g., mood fluctuations, depressive symptoms). Discussion: Results from this study, the largest prospective survey of naturalistic psilocybin use to date, support the potential for psilocybin to produce lasting improvements in mental health symptoms and general wellbeing.

Implementing an Oncology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship: Reflections and Lessons Learned.

As oncology nurse practitioner (NP) fellowships expand across the United States, institutions note improved transitions to specialty practice and better patient outcomes. These fellowships may further serve as a strategy to a.

Subgroups of children with Kawasaki disease: a data-driven cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although Kawasaki disease is commonly regarded as a single disease entity, variability in clinical manifestations and disease outcome has been recognised. We aimed to use a data-driven approach to identify clinical subgroups. METHODS: We analysed clinical data from patients with Kawasaki disease diagnosed at Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego, CA, USA) between Jan 1, 2002, and June 30, 2022. Patients were grouped by hierarchical clustering on principal components with k-means parcellation based on 14 variables, including age at onset, ten laboratory test results, day of illness at the first intravenous immunoglobulin infusion, and normalised echocardiographic measures of coronary artery diameters at diagnosis. We also analysed the seasonality and Kawasaki disease incidence from 2002 to 2019 by subgroup. To explore the biological underpinnings of identified subgroups, we did differential abundance analysis on proteomic data of 6481 proteins from 32 patients with Kawasaki disease and 24 healthy children, using linear regression models that controlled for age and sex. FINDINGS: Among 1016 patients with complete data in the final analysis, four subgroups were identified with distinct clinical features: (1) hepatobiliary involvement with elevated alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and total bilirubin levels, lowest coronary artery aneurysm but highest intravenous immunoglobulin resistance rates (n=157); (2) highest band neutrophil count and Kawasaki disease shock rate (n=231); (3) cervical lymphadenopathy with high markers of inflammation (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell, and platelet counts) and lowest age-adjusted haemoglobin Z scores (n=315); and (4) young age at onset with highest coronary artery aneurysm but lowest intravenous immunoglobulin resistance rates (n=313). The subgroups had distinct seasonal and incidence trajectories. In addition, the subgroups shared 211 differential abundance proteins while many proteins were unique to a subgroup. INTERPRETATION: Our data-driven analysis provides insight into the heterogeneity of Kawasaki disease, and supports the existence of distinct subgroups with important implications for clinical management and research design and interpretation. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health and the Irving and Francine Suknow Foundation.

A Novel Combination of Host Protein Biomarkers to Distinguish Bacterial From Viral Infections in Febrile Children in Emergency Care.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing bacterial and viral infections based on clinical symptoms in febrile children attending the emergency department (ED) is challenging. The aim of this study is to determine a novel combination of host protein biomarkers and to assess its performance in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infection in febrile children attending EDs. METHODS: A literature search was performed to identify blood protein biomarkers able to distinguish bacterial and viral infections (May 2015-May 2019). We selected 7 protein biomarkers: Procalcitonin, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, Interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (CXCL-10), interferon-gamma and lipocalin 2 (LCN2). These were measured in blood plasma using a bead-based immunoassay in children with a confirmed bacterial or viral infection attending EDs in the Netherlands. We used generalized linear modeling to classify bacterial and viral infections and applied a previously developed feature selection algorithm to select the optimal combination of proteins. We performed a subgroup analysis of this protein signature in patients with C-reactive protein <60 mg/L, representing a clinically challenging diagnostic group. RESULTS: In total 102 children were included (N = 67 bacterial; N = 35 viral). Individual performance of the 7 biomarkers in classifying bacterial versus viral infections ranged from 60.8%-74.5% area under the receiver operator curve (AUC). TRAIL, LCN2 and IL-6 were identified as the best 3-protein signature with an AUC of 86% (95% CI: 71.3%-100%). In 57 patients with C-reactive protein levels <60 mg/L, the 3-protein signature had an AUC of 85.1% (95% CI: 75.3%-94.9%). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate a promising novel combination of 3 host protein biomarkers; TRAIL, LCN2 and IL-6, which performs well in classifying bacterial and viral infections in febrile children in emergency care.

Diagnosis of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children by a Whole-Blood Transcriptional Signature.

BACKGROUND: To identify a diagnostic blood transcriptomic signature that distinguishes multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) from Kawasaki disease (KD), bacterial infections, and viral infections. METHODS: Children presenting with MIS-C to participating hospitals in the United Kingdom and the European Union between April 2020 and April 2021 were prospectively recruited. Whole-blood RNA Sequencing was performed, contrasting the transcriptomes of children with MIS-C (n = 38) to those from children with KD (n = 136), definite bacterial (DB; n = 188) and viral infections (DV; n = 138). Genes significantly differentially expressed (SDE) between MIS-C and comparator groups were identified. Feature selection was used to identify genes that optimally distinguish MIS-C from other diseases, which were subsequently translated into RT-qPCR assays and evaluated in an independent validation set comprising MIS-C (n = 37), KD (n = 19), DB (n = 56), DV (n = 43), and COVID-19 (n = 39). RESULTS: In the discovery set, 5696 genes were SDE between MIS-C and combined comparator disease groups. Five genes were identified as potential MIS-C diagnostic biomarkers (HSPBAP1, VPS37C, TGFB1, MX2, and TRBV11-2), achieving an AUC of 96.8% (95% CI: 94.6%-98.9%) in the discovery set, and were translated into RT-qPCR assays. The RT-qPCR 5-gene signature achieved an AUC of 93.2% (95% CI: 88.3%-97.7%) in the independent validation set when distinguishing MIS-C from KD, DB, and DV. CONCLUSIONS: MIS-C can be distinguished from KD, DB, and DV groups using a 5-gene blood RNA expression signature. The small number of genes in the signature and good performance in both discovery and validation sets should enable the development of a diagnostic test for MIS-C.

Interventions to Improve Advanced Practitioner Work-Related Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction.

Background: Across the United States, an incremental need for cancer care continues to emerge. Specialty nurse practitioners and physician assistant teams have helped in meeting this demand. However, there is a need for evidence-based recommendations to inform appropriate provider-patient staffing ratios that encompass complex cancer treatments and ensure optimal care. Methods: A literature review identified a gap in existing research with regard to recommended inpatient provider-patient ratios for hematology and oncology services. The conceptual framework of ICU nursing workload was utilized to ensure a comprehensive understanding of an inpatient specialty cancer provider's duties. Results: Within the unit, job, patient, and situation workload levels, there were multiple interventions implemented to streamline systems and improve workplace conditions for providers, as measured by the work-related quality of life (WRQoL) scale. Patient satisfaction scores improved an average of 4% across multiple criteria and exceeded benchmark rankings by 10.7% surrounding communication with nurses and physicians (a 6.3% increase). Discharge efficiency improved, with 6.1% more discharges occurring by 11:00 am, and length of stay was noted to be 8.8 days fewer than teaching services treating the same cancer diagnosis. Finally, additional shift pay was greatly reduced and turnover decreased by 17%. Conclusion: Application of the conceptual framework of ICU nursing workload provided a scientific assessment of specialty inpatient cancer services within one institution. Interventions resulted in improved working conditions, patient satisfaction, discharge efficiency, and reduced turnover, ultimately ensuring the provision of high-quality cancer care.

Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice: Recommendations and Strategies for Designing and Implementing Fellowships.

Fellowships prepare new graduate nurse practitioners (NPs) to become skilled providers with advanced knowledge and clinical competency to practice nursing in a specialized area. The literature lacks guidance about comprehensive approaches for the development, implementation, evaluation, and accreditation of NP fellowships. The purpose of this article was to describe recommendations and useful strategies for professional development nurse educators to deliver optimal learning and training for NPs transitioning into practice.

A Scoping Review of Measures Utilized to Assess Patient Satisfaction with Acupuncture Treatments Within Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: Patient satisfaction is an increasing priority for health care facilities in ensuring reimbursement for services, high-quality access to care, and transparent communication. Cumulatively, these metrics guide patient-centered care and facilitate optimal service delivery. The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate measures of patient satisfaction with acupuncture treatments. Materials and Methods: This scoping review was guided by the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework. Analysis was performed based on the multidimensional hierarchical model of perceived service-quality conceptual framework. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement was used to organize included publications and to display search processes in a flow diagram. An academic reference librarian conducted a literature search, using electronic databases that included PubMed,® Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE,® and Web of Science. Results: A total of 384 publications were initially identified and screened; 26 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the synthesis. Discrepancies in the use of patient-satisfaction measures among studies were found in only 1 study demonstrating holistic assessment. Conclusions: There is a need for consistent measurement of patient satisfaction with acupuncture treatments. Future studies may evaluate development of a satisfaction tool to measure patient satisfaction with acupuncture treatments comprehensively.

Online survey of medicinal cannabis users: Qualitative analysis of patient-level data.

Aim: To characterize perceived benefits and challenges experienced by medicinal cannabis users. Methods: An anonymous online survey collected demographics, health information, and open-ended responses from medicinal cannabis users regarding perceptions, motivations, and experience of treatment. Qualitative open-ended responses were thematically analyzed. Results: Respondents (N = 808) were predominantly White (79%), female (63%), with a mean (SD) age of 38 (20). Two hundred eighty-four (35%) respondents provided data on a dependent family member (e.g., child; 22% of total sample). Most used cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant products (58%), primarily for neurological disorders (38%) or pain (25%). Primary motivations for medicinal cannabis use were based on beliefs that traditional treatments were ineffective and/or had intolerable side effects (51%), positive scientific or media portrayals of the safety/efficacy of cannabis as a therapeutic (29%), or preference for "natural" treatments over pharmaceuticals (21%). A majority of respondents (77%) attributed positive effects to the medicinal use of cannabis/cannabinoids. These included physical symptom improvements such as reduced pain (28%), improved sleep (18%), and seizure reduction (18%), and mental health improvements including reduced anxiety (22%) and improved mood (11%). Additionally, respondents reported reduced use of other medications (e.g., opioids) (12%), and improved quality of life (14%). Problems associated with use were cited by 41% of respondents, and included unwanted side effects (16%), lack of information or medical support (16%), prohibitive costs (12%), and legal concerns (10%). Conclusion: Most participants reported benefits from cannabis use for a variety of conditions where traditional treatments were ineffective or unacceptable. Concerns regarding cannabis side effects, legality, lack of information, and cost were raised. Data indicate greater research and education on the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis/cannabinoid use is warranted.

Characterisation of the blood RNA host response underpinning severity in COVID-19 patients.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 has highly variable clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic infection through to life-threatening disease. Host whole blood transcriptomics can offer unique insights into the biological processes underpinning infection and disease, as well as severity. We performed whole blood RNA Sequencing of individuals with varying degrees of COVID-19 severity. We used differential expression analysis and pathway enrichment analysis to explore how the blood transcriptome differs between individuals with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, performing pairwise comparisons between groups. Increasing COVID-19 severity was characterised by an abundance of inflammatory immune response genes and pathways, including many related to neutrophils and macrophages, in addition to an upregulation of immunoglobulin genes. In this study, for the first time, we show how immunomodulatory treatments commonly administered to COVID-19 patients greatly alter the transcriptome. Our insights into COVID-19 severity reveal the role of immune dysregulation in the progression to severe disease and highlight the need for further research exploring the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the inflammatory immune response.

Antiviral metabolite 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-cytidine is detectable in serum and identifies acute viral infections including COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There is a critical need for rapid viral infection diagnostics to enable prompt case identification in pandemic settings and support targeted antimicrobial prescribing. METHODS: Using untargeted high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, we compared the admission serum metabolome of emergency department patients with viral infections (including COVID-19), bacterial infections, inflammatory conditions, and healthy controls. Sera from an independent cohort of emergency department patients admitted with viral or bacterial infections underwent profiling to validate findings. Associations between whole-blood gene expression and the identified metabolite of interest were examined. FINDINGS: 3'-Deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-cytidine (ddhC), a free base of the only known human antiviral small molecule ddhC-triphosphate (ddhCTP), was detected for the first time in serum. When comparing 60 viral with 101 non-viral cases in the discovery cohort, ddhC was the most significantly differentially abundant metabolite, generating an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.954 (95% CI: 0.923-0.986). In the validation cohort, ddhC was again the most significantly differentially abundant metabolite when comparing 40 viral with 40 bacterial cases, generating an AUC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.708-0.915). Transcripts of viperin and CMPK2, enzymes responsible for ddhCTP synthesis, were among the five genes most highly correlated with ddhC abundance. CONCLUSIONS: The antiviral precursor molecule ddhC is detectable in serum and an accurate marker for acute viral infection. Interferon-inducible genes viperin and CMPK2 are implicated in ddhC production in vivo. These findings highlight a future diagnostic role for ddhC in viral diagnosis, pandemic preparedness, and acute infection management. FUNDING: NIHR Imperial BRC; UKRI.