Scanning optoacoustic angiography for assessing structural and functional alterations in superficial vasculature of patients with post-thrombotic syndrome: A pilot study.

This study highlights the potential of scanning optoacoustic angiography (OA) in identifying alterations of superficial vasculature in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) of the foot, a venous stress disorder associated with significant morbidity developing from long-term effects of deep venous thrombosis. The traditional angiography methods available in the clinics are not capable of reliably assessing the state of peripheral veins that provide blood outflow from the skin, a key hallmark of personalized risks of PTS formation after venous thrombosis. Our findings indicate that OA can detect an increase in blood volume, diameter, and tortuosity of superficial blood vessels. The inability to spatially separate vascular plexuses of the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue serves as a crucial criterion for distinguishing PTS from normal vasculature. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the ability of scanning optoacoustic angiography to detect blood filling decrease in an elevated limb position versus increase in a lowered position.

Health and Care Data: Approaches to data linkage for evidence-informed policy.

An indispensable prerequisite for answering research questions in health services research is the availability and accessibility of comprehensive, high-quality data. It can be assumed that health services research in the coming years will be increasingly based on data linkage, i.e., the linking, or connecting, of several data sources based on suitable common key variables. A range of approaches to data collection, storage, linkage and availability exists across countries, particularly for secondary research purposes (i.e., the use of data initially collected for other purposes), such as health systems research. The main goal of this review is to develop an overview of, and gain insights into, current approaches to linking data sources in the context of health services research, with the view to inform policy, based on existing practices in high-income countries in Europe and beyond. In doing so, another objective is to provide lessons for countries looking for possible or alternative approaches to data linkage. Thirteen country case studies of data linkage approaches were selected and analysed. Rather than being comprehensive, this review aimed to identify varied and potentially useful case studies to showcase different approaches to data linkage worldwide. A conceptual framework was developed to guide the selection and description of case studies. Information was first identified and collected from publicly available sources and a profile was then created for each country and each case study; these profiles were forwarded to appropriate country experts for validation and completion. The report presents an overview of the included countries and their case studies (Chapter 2), with key data per country and case study in the appendices. This is followed by a closer look at the possibilities of using routine data (Chapter 3); the different approaches to linkage (Chapter 4); the different access routes for researchers (Chapter 5); the use of data for research from electronic patient or health records (Chapter 6); foundational considerations related to data safety, privacy and governance (Chapter 7); recent developments in cross-border data sharing and the European Health Data Space (Chapter 8); and considerations of changes and responses catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic as related to the generation and secondary use of data (Chapter 9). The review ends with overall conclusions on the necessary characteristics of data to inform research relevant for policy and highlights some insights to inspire possible future solutions - less or more disruptive - for countries looking to expand their use of data (Chapter 10). It emphasises that investing in data linkage for secondary use will not only contribute to the strengthening of national health systems, but also promote international cooperation and contribute to the international visibility of scientific excellence.

Health and care data: approaches to data linkage for evidence-informed policy

An indispensable prerequisite for answering research questions in health services research is the availability and accessibility of comprehensive, high quality data. It can be assumed that health services research in the comingyears will be increasingly based on data linkage, i.e., the linking, or connecting, of several data sources based on suitable common key variables. A range of approaches to data collection, storage, linkage and availability exists across countries, particularly for secondary research purposes (i.e., the use of data initially collected for other purposes), such as health systems research. The main goal of this review is to develop an overview of, and gain insights into, current approaches to linking data sources in the context of health services research, with the view to inform policy, based on existing practices in high-income countries in Europe and beyond. In doing so, another objective is to provide lessons for countries looking for possible or alternative approaches to data linkage. Thirteen country case studies of data linkage approaches were selected and analyzed. Rather than being comprehensive, this review aimed to identify varied and potentially useful case studies to showcase different approaches to data linkage worldwide. A conceptual framework was developed to guide the selection and description of case studies. Information was first identified and collected from publicly available sources and a profile was then created for each country and each case study; these profiles were forwarded to appropriate country experts for validation and completion.

Finland: Health system summary, 2023

This Health system summary is based on the Finland: Health System Review published in 2019 in the Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series, and is significantly updated by the authors, including relevant reform updates highlighted by the Health Systems and Policies Monitor (HSPM) (www.hspm.org).For this edition, key data have been updated to those available in December 2022, unless otherwise stated. Health system summaries use a concise format to communicate central features of country health systems and analyse available evidence on the organization, financing and delivery of healthcare. They also provide insights into key reforms and the varied challenges testing the performance of the health system.

Estonia: Health System Review.

This analysis of the Estonian health system illustrates recent developments in organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health system performance. In general, Estonia spends less per capita on health than the European Union average, although public expenditure has been growing steadily, with an increasing role of government budget transfers towards the social health insurance model. Despite these efforts, more than a fifth of current health expenditure comes from out-of-pocket payments, creating pressure to develop new and strengthen existing financial protection instruments. Life expectancy in Estonia has increased rapidly over the past decade, but not fast enough to meet the targets set in strategic documents. The first years of the COVID-19 pandemic were marked by a decline in life expectancy and high excess mortality, which set back progress. Despite this, Estonia's gains in population health were more pronounced in 2022. Overall, health inequalities between socioeconomic groups remain high, prompting policymakers to take steps to increase equity in access to care. The outstanding challenges for the Estonian health system include: addressing the shortage of primary and mental health experts, especially given the growing burden of chronic conditions and other needs of the ageing population; minimizing stark socioeconomic inequalities in health outcomes; renewing the outdated public health framework; and further improving integration and coordination of care and clinical decision-making.

Germany: health system summary, 2022

This Health system summary is based on the Germany: Health System Review published in 2020 in the Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series, and relevant reform updates highlighted by the Health Systems and Policies Monitor (HSPM) (www.hspm.org). For this edition, key data have been updated to those available in July 2022 to keep information as current as possible. Health system summaries use a concise format to communicate central features of country health systems and analyse available evidence on the organization, financing and delivery of health care. They also provide insights into key reforms and the varied challenges testing the performance of the health system.

Coordination Polymers Based on Rhenium Octahedral Chalcocyanide Cluster Anions and Ag+ Cations with Bipyridine Analogs.

A series of six coordination polymers based on octahedral cluster anions [Re6Q8(CN)6]4- (Q = S or Se) and Ag+ cations coordinated by bipyridine analogs were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Their structures have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 described by the general formula [{Ag(phen)}4Re6Q8(CN)6] (Q = Se (1), S (2); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) exhibit layered structures assembled into a supramolecular network by CH…π contacts. At the same time, compounds [{Ag(bipym)}2Ag2Re6Se8(CN)6] (bipym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) (3), [{Ag2(bipy)}Ag2Re6Se8(CN)6]·CH3CN (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine) (4) and [{Ag(dpbp)}4Re6Q8(CN)6]·2H2O·2CH3CN (Q = Se (5), S (6); dpbp = 4,4'-Di(4-pyridyl)biphenyl)) evince framework structures. In 1, 2, 5 and 6 weak Ag⋯Ag interactions are observed. All the compounds show luminescence in the red region. The luminescence quantum yields and lifetimes were found to be notably higher than those for most of the coordination polymers based on the octahedral rhenium cluster complexes.

Multifunctional Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Redox-Active Rhenium Octahedral Clusters.

The redox-active rhenium octahedral cluster unit [Re6Se8(CN)6]4- was combined with Gd3+ ions and dicarboxylate linkers in novel types of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that display a set of functional properties. The hydrolytically stable complexes [{Gd(H2O)3}2(L)Re6Se8(CN)6]·nH2O (1, L = furan-2,5-dicarboxylate, fdc; 2, L = thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate, tdc) exhibit a 3D framework of trigonal symmetry where 1D chains of [{Gd(H2O)3}2(L)]4+ are connected by [Re6Se8(CN)6]4- clusters. Frameworks contain spacious channels filled with H2O. Solvent molecules can be easily removed under vacuum to produce permanently porous solids with high volumetric CO2 uptake and remarkable CO2/N2 selectivity at room temperature. The frameworks demonstrate an ability for reversible redox transformations of the cluster fragment. The orange powders of compounds 1 and 2 react with Br2, yielding dark-green powders of [{Gd(H2O)3}2(L)Re6Se8(CN)6]Br·nH2O (3, L = fdc; 4, L = tdc). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural with 1 and 2 and also have permanently porous frameworks but display different optical, magnetic, and sorption properties. In particular, oxidation of the cluster fragment "switches off" its luminescence in the red region, and the incorporation of Br- leads to a decrease of the solvent-accessible volume in the channels of 3 and 4. Finally, the green powders of 3 and 4 can be reduced back to the orange powders of 1 and 2 by reaction with hydrazine, thus displaying a rare ability for fully reversible chemical redox transitions. Compounds 1-4 are mentioned as a new class of redox-active cluster-based MOFs with potential usage as multifunctional materials for gas separation and chemical contamination sensors.