Stroke Thrombolysis in the Context of a Pituitary Macroadenoma.

The presence of an intracranial tumour is a relative or absolute contraindication to stroke thrombolysis by most guidelines across the world. This is based on the risk of iatrogenic symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage related to the tumour. We present a patient where the decision to proceed with thrombolysis was complicated by an incidental finding of an intracranial tumour. The decision was made to proceed with thrombolysis. The patient had excellent functional recovery in the hours after administration and didn't suffer any intracranial haemorrhage. The evidence around excluding this patient group from thrombolysis is scant and mostly of low quality. Original randomised controlled trials or stroke thrombolysis excluded this patient group and there have been none since. Published case reports and series are heterogeneous in their conclusions regarding the risk of symptomatic haemorrhage following thrombolysis in patients with intra-axial and extra-axial neoplasms. Further studies may clarify guidelines.

Transcutaneous osseointegration for amputees.

Transcutaneous osseointegration for amputees (TOFA) is an evolving technology that has the potential to revolutionize the interface between the amputee and their prosthesis, showing potential at many levels of amputation. While no amputation is without its challenges, TOFA requires a highly specialized prosthesis and a multidisciplinary team that includes specialized surgeons, physical therapists, wound care teams, and social workers who guide the amputee through surgery, postoperative rehabilitation, and the chronic wound care that goes into maintaining the prosthesis. The infrastructure required to facilitate care pathways that lead to reliable, successful outcomes are unique in each health care setting, including those in advanced health care systems such as the United States and Australia. This article details the emerging evidence supporting the use of this prosthetic interface design and many of the challenges that providers face when establishing programs to offer this type of care in the United States.

The local and systemic effects of immune function on fracture healing.

The immune system plays an integral role in the regulation of cellular processes responsible for fracture healing. Local and systemic influences on fracture healing correlate in many ways with fracture-related outcomes, including soft tissue healing quality and fracture union rates. Impaired soft tissue healing, restricted perfusion of a fracture site, and infection also in turn affect the immune response to fracture injury. Modern techniques used to investigate the relationship between immune system function and fracture healing include precision medicine, using vast quantities of data to interpret broad patterns of inflammatory response. Early data from the PRECISE trial have demonstrated distinct patterns of inflammatory response in polytrauma patients, which thereby directly and indirectly regulate the fracture healing response. The clearly demonstrated linkage between immune function and fracture healing suggests that modulation of immune function has significant potential as a therapeutic target that can be used to enhance fracture healing.

Gamma-delta T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia: a report of a rare entity.

Gamma delta (γδ) T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) is a rare, aggressive subtype of T-lymphoid leukemia that accounts for only 9-12% of all T-ALL cases. Herein, we report the case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with facial swelling, shortness of breath, and progressive cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. Pathological examination, flow cytometry (Navios, Beckman Coulter ClearLLab 10C 10-color T-cell panel [containing FITC-labeled TCR γδ antibody]), chromosomal analysis, interphase FISH, and targeted DNA-based NGS (34-gene Illumina TruSeq Myeloid Panel) were performed. Flow cytometry evaluation of a lymph node biopsy specimen revealed an immature T-cell population positive for CD4, CD3, CD2 (subset positive), CD5, CD7, CD38, CD1a, cytoplasmic terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (cyto-TdT), CD30 (subset positive), and T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta (γδ). Microscopic examination of an enlarged lymph node and bone marrow showed involvement by a dense, diffuse, neoplastic infiltrate. Interphase FISH revealed a copy number loss of PDGFRB (5q32) in 90.5% of interphase nuclei. Targeted DNA-based NGS detected a tier II oncogenic variant in NOTCH1 (c.7375C > T, p.Gln2459Ter) at a VAF of 21%. This case of γδ T-ALL highlights a rare entity and adds to the literature, albeit scant, which may aid in better recognition and classification.

Effects of residential acaricide treatments on patterns of pathogen coinfection in blacklegged ticks.

Medically important ixodid ticks often carry multiple pathogens, with individual ticks frequently coinfected and capable of transmitting multiple infections to hosts, including humans. Acquisition of multiple zoonotic pathogens by immature blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) is facilitated when they feed on small mammals, which are the most competent reservoir hosts for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (which causes anaplasmosis in humans), Babesia microti (babesiosis) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease). Here, we used data from a large-scale, long-term experiment to ask whether patterns of single and multiple infections in questing nymphal I. scapularis ticks from residential neighbourhoods differed from those predicted by independent assortment of pathogens, and whether patterns of coinfection were affected by residential application of commercial acaricidal products. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used for pathogen detection in multiplex reactions. In control neighbourhoods and those treated with a fungus-based biopesticide deployed against host-seeking ticks (Met52), ticks having only single infections of either B. microti or B. burgdorferi were significantly less common than expected, whereas coinfections with these 2 pathogens were significantly more common. However, use of tick control system bait boxes, which kill ticks attempting to feed on small mammals, eliminated the bias towards coinfection. Although aimed at reducing the abundance of host-seeking ticks, control methods directed at ticks attached to small mammals may influence human exposure to coinfected ticks and the probability of exposure to multiple tick-borne infections.

High-volume prostate biopsy core involvement is not associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence following 5-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy monotherapy.

PURPOSE: Percentage of positive cores involved on a systemic prostate biopsy has been established as a risk factor for adverse oncologic outcomes and is a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) independent parameter for unfavorable intermediate-risk disease. Most data from a radiation standpoint was published in an era of conventional fractionation. We explore whether the higher biological dose delivered with SBRT can mitigate this risk factor. METHODS: A large single institutional database was interrogated to identify all patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa) treated with 5-fraction SBRT without ADT. Pathology results were reviewed to determine detailed core involvement as well as Gleason score (GS). High-volume biopsy core involvement was defined as ≥ 50%. Weighted Gleason core involvement was reviewed, giving higher weight to higher-grade cancer. The PSA kinetics and oncologic outcomes were analyzed for association with core involvement. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2018, 1590 patients were identified who underwent SBRT for localized PCa. High-volume core involvement was a relatively rare event observed in 19% of our cohort, which was observed more in patients with small prostates (p < 0.0001) and/or intermediate-risk disease (p = 0.005). Higher PSA nadir was observed in those patients with low-volume core involvement within the intermediate-risk cohort (p = 0.004), which was confirmed when core involvement was analyzed as a continuous variable weighted by Gleason score (p = 0.049). High-volume core involvement was not associated with biochemical progression (p = 0.234). CONCLUSIONS: With a median follow-up of over 4 years, biochemical progression was not associated with pretreatment high-volume core involvement for patients treated with 5-fraction SBRT alone. In the era of prostate SBRT and MRI-directed prostate biopsies, the use of high-volume core involvement as an independent predictor of unfavorable intermediate risk disease should be revisited.

Impact of high-fat diet on cognitive behavior and central and systemic inflammation with aging and sex differences in mice.

Aging and age-related diseases are associated with cellular stress, metabolic imbalance, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, accompanied by cognitive impairment. Lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep fragmentation, and stress can potentiate damaging cellular cascades and lead to an acceleration of brain aging and cognitive impairment. High-fat diet (HFD) has been associated with obesity, metabolic disorders like diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. HFD also induces neuroinflammation, impairs learning and memory, and may increase anxiety-like behavior. Effects of a HFD may also vary between sexes. The interaction between Age- and Sex- and Diet-related changes in neuroinflammation and cognitive function is an important and poorly understood area of research. This study was designed to examine the effects of HFD on neuroinflammation, behavior, and neurodegeneration in mice in the context of aging or sex differences. In a series of studies, young (2-3 months) or old (12-13 months) C57BL/6J male mice or young male and female C57Bl/6J mice were fed either a standard diet (SD) or a HFD for 5-6 months. Behavior was assessed in Activity Chamber, Y-maze, Novel Place Recognition, Novel Object Recognition, Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field, Morris Water Maze, and Fear Conditioning. Post-mortem analyses assessed a panel of inflammatory markers in the plasma and hippocampus. Additionally, proteomic analysis of the hypothalamus, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation in the locus coeruleus, and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus were assessed in a subset of young and aged male mice. We show that HFD increased body weight and decreased locomotor activity across groups compared to control mice fed a SD. HFD altered anxiety-related exploratory behavior. HFD impaired spatial learning and recall in young male mice and impaired recall in cued fear conditioning in young and aged male mice, with no effects on spatial learning or fear conditioning in young female mice. Effects of Age and Sex were observed on neuroinflammatory cytokines, with only limited effects of HFD. HFD had a more significant impact on systemic inflammation in plasma across age and sex. Aged male mice had induction of microglial immunoreactivity in both the locus coeruleus (LC) and hippocampus an effect that HFD exacerbated in the hippocampal CA1 region. Proteomic analysis of the hypothalamus revealed changes in pathways related to metabolism and neurodegeneration with both aging and HFD in male mice. Our findings suggest that HFD induces widespread systemic inflammation and limited neuroinflammation. In addition, HFD alters exploratory behavior in male and female mice, and impairs learning and memory in male mice. These results provide valuable insight into the impact of diet on cognition and aging pathophysiology.

University makes me angry: Investigating stimulus-response (S-R) and cognitive-mediation (C-M) emotion beliefs in undergraduate students.

Emotion regulation through cognitive reappraisal is well-studied, but less so are the predispositional and superordinate beliefs that influence reappraisal. Recently, researchers developed the cognitive mediation beliefs questionnaire (CMBQ), which measures two emotion beliefs, namely stimulus-response (S-R) generation beliefs and cognitive mediation (C-M) change beliefs. In working populations S-R generation beliefs are inversely related to cognitive reappraisal tendencies and positive mental health, and positively related to emotion reactivity. C-M change beliefs are positively related to cognitive reappraisal tendencies, and inversely related to emotion reactivity and positive mental health. As yet, there is no evidence for the validity of the CMBQ within student samples, or for the associations between its subscales and cognitive reappraisal, emotion reactivity, and positive mental health. Therefore, in the present study the CMBQ is tested for factorial, convergent (associations with cognitive reappraisal), and concurrent (associations with emotion reactivity and positive mental health) validity in a cohort of 621 undergraduate students in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Results indicate support for the factorial and convergent validity of the CMBQ, with mixed evidence for the concurrent validity of the CMBQ. A CM-SR discrepancy score appeared to provide a promising variable when associated with emotion reactivity and positive mental health. The findings are discussed in terms of practical and research implications of the findings.

Characteristics of Femoral Shaft Fractures That Predict Ipsilateral Femoral Neck Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to characterize radiographic features and fracture characteristics in femoral shaft fractures with associated femoral neck fractures, with the goal of establishing predictive indicators for the presence of ipsilateral femoral neck fractures (IFNFs). METHODS: A retrospective cohort was collected from the electronic medical record of three level I trauma centers over a 5-year period (2017 to 2022) by current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. Current CPT codes for combined femoral shaft and IFNFs were identified to generate our study group. CPT codes for isolated femur fractures were identified to generate a control group. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients comprised our IFNF cohort, and 280 comprised the control cohort. On univariate, there were significant differences in mechanism of injury (P < 0.001), Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA)/Arbeitsgemeinshaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification (P = 0.002), and fracture location (P < 0.001) between cohorts. On multivariate, motor vehicle crashes were more commonly associated with IFNFs compared with other mechanism of injuries. OTA/AO 32A fractures were more commonly associated with IFNFs when compared with OTA/AO 32B fractures (adjusted odds ratio = 0.36, P < 0.001). Fractures through the isthmus were significantly more commonly associated with IFNFs than fractures more proximal (adjusted odds ratio = 2.52, P = 0.011). DISCUSSION: Detecting IFNFs in femoral shaft fractures is challenging. Motor vehicle crashes and motorcycle collisions, OTA/AO type 32A fractures, and isthmus fractures are predictive of IFNFs.

Impact of primary care triage using the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 on tertiary head and neck services in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 period.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of primary care utilisation of a symptom-based head and neck cancer risk calculator (Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2) in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 period on the number of primary care referrals and cancer diagnoses. METHODS: The number of referrals from April 2019 to August 2019 and from April 2020 to July 2020 (pre-calculator) was compared with the number from the period January 2021 to August 2022 (post-calculator) using the chi-square test. The patients' characteristics, referral urgency, triage outcome, Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 score and cancer diagnosis were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 1110 referrals from the pre-calculator period were compared with 1559 from the post-calculator period. Patient characteristics were comparable for both cohorts. More patients were referred on the cancer pathway in the post-calculator cohort (pre-calculator patients 51.1 per cent vs post-calculator 64.0 per cent). The cancer diagnosis rate increased from 2.7 per cent in the pre-calculator cohort to 3.3 per cent in the post-calculator cohort. A lower rate of cancer diagnosis in the non-cancer pathway occurred in the cohort managed using the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 (10 per cent vs 23 per cent, p = 0.10). CONCLUSION: Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 demonstrated high sensitivity in cancer diagnosis. Further studies are required to improve the predictive strength of the calculator.

Levodopa use in Australia: an analysis of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% data.

Background: Levodopa remains the mainstay of treatment of Parkinson's disease, however, over time motor fluctuations and levodopa-induced dyskinesia develop, requiring add-on therapies to control emerging symptoms. To date, however, there is no clear consensus in Australia, or elsewhere, at which dose of levodopa that add-on therapies should be considered. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment patterns of patients with Parkinson's disease in Australia, with particular focus on levodopa doses at the time of first add-on. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, non-interventional study of patients with Parkinson's disease within the Australian Department of Human Services Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 10% sample. Data on all reimbursed prescriptions (both general and concession), prescriber type and item code were extracted for patients who were dispensed at least three PBS reimbursed prescriptions for levodopa in the previous 12 months prescription from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2021. Results: 154 850 unique patients were included, of whom 42 330 (27%) commenced add-on therapy during the period. In the 12 months prior to add-on therapy, levodopa doses ranged from 100 mg/day to 1000 mg/day. The majority of patients were prescribed add-on therapy by a neurologist and approximately 40% of patients were prescribed levodopa doses of 600 mg/day or more prior to the first add-on therapy being initiated. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients in Australia are managed with levodopa monotherapy doses that are considered high and many of these patients may benefit from the addition of add-on therapy to their regimen.

Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light predicts longitudinal diagnostic change in patients with psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

OBJECTIVE: People with neuropsychiatric symptoms often experience delay in accurate diagnosis. Although cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light (CSF NfL) shows promise in distinguishing neurodegenerative disorders (ND) from psychiatric disorders (PSY), its accuracy in a diagnostically challenging cohort longitudinally is unknown. METHODS: We collected longitudinal diagnostic information (mean = 36 months) from patients assessed at a neuropsychiatry service, categorising diagnoses as ND/mild cognitive impairment/other neurological disorders (ND/MCI/other) and PSY. We pre-specified NfL > 582 pg/mL as indicative of ND/MCI/other. RESULTS: Diagnostic category changed from initial to final diagnosis for 23% (49/212) of patients. NfL predicted the final diagnostic category for 92% (22/24) of these and predicted final diagnostic category overall (ND/MCI/other vs. PSY) in 88% (187/212), compared to 77% (163/212) with clinical assessment alone. CONCLUSIONS: CSF NfL improved diagnostic accuracy, with potential to have led to earlier, accurate diagnosis in a real-world setting using a pre-specified cut-off, adding weight to translation of NfL into clinical practice.

Unicentric Castleman Disease: Illustration of Its Morphologic Spectrum and Review of the Differential Diagnosis.

CONTEXT.­: Unicentric Castleman disease (UCD) is a dynamic entity with a wide spectrum of morphologic findings. UCD can be further subdivided into hyaline-vascular and mixed/plasmacytic variants. Hyaline-vascular UCD has both follicular and interfollicular (stromal) changes, and occasionally these lesions show a skewed representation of either the follicular or stromal compartments. Plasmacytosis is usually minimal in the hyaline-vascular variant. The mixed/plasmacytic variant of UCD is composed of sheets of plasma cells often associated with a variable number of follicles with regressive changes. OBJECTIVE.­: To illustrate the differential diagnosis of UCD, as it is quite broad and includes lymphomas, plasma cell neoplasms, stromal neoplasms such as follicular dendritic cell sarcoma and vascular neoplasms, immunoglobulin G4-related disease, infections, and other rare lesions. An additional objective is to enhance awareness of the morphologic features of UCD in excisional and in small core-needle biopsy specimens, the latter of which may inadvertently target follicle- or stroma-rich areas, causing diagnostic challenges. DATA SOURCES.­: In this review, we provide readers a concise illustration of the morphologic spectrum of UCD that we have encountered in our practice and a brief discussion of entities in the differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS.­: UCD exhibits a broad spectrum of morphologic changes, and awareness of these morphologic variations is key to avoid misdiagnosis.

Risk and Prognostics of Second Primary Cancer After Prostate Radiation Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: As overall survival in prostate cancer increases due to advances in early detection and management, there is a growing need to understand the long-term morbidity associated with treatment, including secondary tumors. The significance of developing radiation-associated secondary cancers in an elderly population remains unknown. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1975 and 2016 in one of 9 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries were included in this study. Risk of second primary pelvic malignancies (SPPMs) were assessed with death as a competing risk using the Fine-Gray model. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard models were employed to analyze risk to overall mortality based on secondary tumor status. RESULTS: A total of 569,167 primary prostate cancers were included in analysis with an average follow-up of 89 months. Among all prostate cancer patients, 4956 SPPMs were identified. After controlling for differences in age, year of diagnosis, and surgery at time of prostate cancer treatment, radiation receipt was associated with a significantly higher incidence of SPPMs (1.1% vs 1.8% at 25 years). Among those who received radiation during initial prostate cancer treatment (n = 195,415), developing an SPPM is significantly associated with worse survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.76), especially among younger patients (under age 63, adjusted hazard ratio = 2.36). CONCLUSIONS: While developing a secondary malignancy carries a detrimental effect on overall survival, the absolute risk of developing such tumors is exceedingly low regardless of radiation treatment.

A pharmacy-led sore throat test and treat (STTT) service: antigen testing and antibiotic supply rates during the period of heightened public awareness of Group A Streptococcus infections.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacies in Wales delivered an NHS-funded sore throat test and treat (STTT) service during the period of increased invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) incidents in winter 2022-23. Service users were screened using FeverPAIN/CENTOR scores, offered GAS rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) if appropriate, and antibiotics if indicated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the service's response to a substantial rise in sore throat presentations during a period of heightened public anxiety. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with anonymized individual-level data from electronic pharmacy records of all eligible STTT service users, between January 2022 and March 2023. RESULTS: Antibiotics were supplied to 24% (95% CI: 23-24) of people who used the STTT service and 31% (95% CI: 31-32) of those who met the threshold for an RADT. Of 27 441 STTT consultations, 9308 (33.9%) occurred during December 2022. In the week commencing 2 December 2022, following the announcements of increased iGAS incidents, we observed a statistically significant increase of 1700 consultations (95% CI: 924-2476) and a statistically significant decrease in supply rate of 13.9 antibiotics per 100 RADT (95% CI: -18.40 to -9.40). Antibiotic supply rates increased thereafter to those observed before the announcements of iGAS incidents. Referral rates to other primary care or emergency settings remained below 10% throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, despite a dramatic increase in sore throat consultation rates in response to media reports, the pre-specified pathway followed by pharmacists ensured appropriate use of antibiotics, and absorbed a substantial workload that would otherwise end up in other healthcare settings.

T-Cell-Rich Hodgkin Lymphoma With Features of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma and Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Borderline Category With Overlapping Morphologic and Immunophenotypic Features.

CONTEXT.­: It is known that a subset of cases of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) with B-cell-rich nodules (lymphocyte-rich CHL) exhibits morphologic and immunophenotypic features that overlap with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), raising diagnostic difficulties that can be resolved in most cases by performing an adequate battery of immunohistochemical studies. OBJECTIVE.­: To fully characterize cases of T-cell-rich Hodgkin lymphoma where a specific diagnosis of NLPHL (ie, pattern D) or CHL could not be made even after complete immunophenotypic investigation. DESIGN.­: The clinical, immunomorphologic, and molecular (when applicable) presentation of 3 cases of T-cell-rich Hodgkin lymphoma was thoroughly investigated. RESULTS.­: These 3 cases harbored lymphocyte-predominant-like and Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg-like cells that partially expressed B-cell and CHL markers and were negative for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA, in a T-cell-rich background with residual follicular dendritic cell meshworks; 1 case had frequent and the other 2 cases scant/absent eosinophils and plasma cells. Two patients with advanced-stage (III or IV) disease presented with axillary and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, respectively, and without B symptoms. These patients underwent NLPHL-like therapeutic management with 6 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride [hydroxydaunorubicin], vincristine sulfate [Oncovin], and prednisone) chemotherapy; both are in complete remission 7 years posttherapy. One patient presented with stage I disease involving an internal mammary lymph node without B-symptoms and was treated with surgical excision alone; this patient is also in complete remission 1 year later. CONCLUSIONS.­: These cases illustrate overlapping features of T-cell-rich NLPHL and CHL with neoplastic cells expressing both B-cell program and CHL markers. This underrecognized overlap has not been fully illustrated in the literature, although it portrays a therapeutic challenge. These neoplasms may deserve in-depth investigation in the future that may bring up diagnostic or theragnostic implications.

Recommendations for Performance Evaluation of Machine Learning in Pathology: A Concept Paper From the College of American Pathologists.

CONTEXT.­: Machine learning applications in the pathology clinical domain are emerging rapidly. As decision support systems continue to mature, laboratories will increasingly need guidance to evaluate their performance in clinical practice. Currently there are no formal guidelines to assist pathology laboratories in verification and/or validation of such systems. These recommendations are being proposed for the evaluation of machine learning systems in the clinical practice of pathology. OBJECTIVE.­: To propose recommendations for performance evaluation of in vitro diagnostic tests on patient samples that incorporate machine learning as part of the preanalytical, analytical, or postanalytical phases of the laboratory workflow. Topics described include considerations for machine learning model evaluation including risk assessment, predeployment requirements, data sourcing and curation, verification and validation, change control management, human-computer interaction, practitioner training, and competency evaluation. DATA SOURCES.­: An expert panel performed a review of the literature, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidance, and laboratory and government regulatory frameworks. CONCLUSIONS.­: Review of the literature and existing documents enabled the development of proposed recommendations. This white paper pertains to performance evaluation of machine learning systems intended to be implemented for clinical patient testing. Further studies with real-world clinical data are encouraged to support these proposed recommendations. Performance evaluation of machine learning models is critical to verification and/or validation of in vitro diagnostic tests using machine learning intended for clinical practice.

Spatial variation in risk for tick-borne diseases in residential areas of Dutchess County, New York.

Although human exposure to the ticks that transmit Lyme-disease bacteria is widely considered to occur around people's homes, most studies of variation in tick abundance and infection are undertaken outside residential areas. Consequently, the patterns of variation in risk of human exposure to tick-borne infections in these human-dominated landscapes are poorly understood. Here, we report the results of four years of sampling for tick abundance, tick infection, tick encounters, and tick-borne disease reports on residential properties nested within six neighborhoods in Dutchess County, New York, USA, an area of high incidence for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. All properties were within neighborhoods that had been randomly assigned as placebo controls in The Tick Project; hence, none were treated to reduce tick abundance during the period of investigation, providing a unique dataset of natural variation within and between neighborhoods. We estimated the abundance of host-seeking blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) in three types of habitats on residential properties-forests, lawns, and gardens. In forest and lawn habitats, some neighborhoods had consistently higher tick abundance. Properties within neighborhoods also varied consistently between years, suggesting hot spots and cold spots occurring at a small (~ 1-hectare) spatial scale. Across neighborhoods, the abundance of nymphal ticks was explained by neither the amount of forest in that neighborhood, nor by the degree of forest fragmentation. The proportion of ticks infected with three common tick-borne pathogens did not differ significantly between neighborhoods. We observed no effect of tick abundance on human encounters with ticks, nor on either human or pet cases of tick-borne diseases. However, the number of encounters between ticks and outdoor pets in a neighborhood was negatively correlated with the abundance of questing ticks in that neighborhood. Our results reinforce the need to understand how human behavior and neglected ecological factors affect variation in human encounters with ticks and cases of tick-borne disease in residential settings.

Public health qualifications, motivation, and experience of pharmacy professionals: exploratory cross-sectional surveys of pharmacy and public health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy professionals (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; PPs) are recognised for delivering public health interventions (micro level). There is increased policy focus on population health management, but limited knowledge regarding the role of PPs within UK's public health meso and macro levels. This study aimed to explore UK PPs' public health qualifications, specialisations, and motivations and barriers to pursuing advanced public health practice. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we developed and piloted two surveys, and we disseminated them separately via email to UK pharmacy and public health networks and social media, between June 19, and Oct 26, 2021. PPs with an interest or experience in public or population health were invited to participate in the study. We asked PPs questions about public health qualifications, specialisations, motivations, and barriers, and we also asked PHPs for opinions regarding the value of specialist public health skills for PPs. Numerical data were summarised, and responses collated into themes. NHS Health Research Authority tool identified ethics approval not required; and the questionnaire included consent request. FINDINGS: 128 PPs (85% pharmacists) and 54 PHPs responded. Of the PPs who responded, 90 (70%) were female and 35 (27%) were male; 62 (48%) were White British, 19 (14%) were Asian or Asian British, 14 (12%) were Black or Black British. They worked in primary care (34%, n=43), secondary care (26%, n=33), Community Pharmacy (13%, n=16), and public health bodies (13%, n=16). Overall, 34 (27%) of 128 PPs (32 pharmacists; 2 pharmacy technicians) possessed public health qualifications (MPH, PhD). Motivations for these qualifications were ambition to work as PP in public health PP (31%; 17/55 respondents), public health as alternative career (29%; 16/55), general interest (27%; 15/55) recommended or required for current role (11%; 6/55). Themes of barriers included limited training opportunities and poor career pathways. For the PHP survey, 36 (67%) of 54 were female and 16 (30%) were male. They worked as Consultants or Directors (28%, n=15), Registrars (24%, n=13), Practitioners (15%, n=8). 45 (87%) of 52 PHP respondents agreed that specialist PPs in public health would be beneficial to public health; 13 (45%) of 29 respondents recommended a public health Master's degree, eight (27%) recommended experience or postgraduate modules in health economics and health inequalities, three (10%) recommended credentialing for PPs to specialise. INTERPRETATION: Findings suggest responding PPs are motivated to advance in public health practice, despite barriers. Collaboration with PHPs and development of communities of practice might address barriers identified and contribute to advanced public health practice for PPs, supporting the increased focus on population health management in the UK. Limitations include the exploratory nature of the study, and the fact that PPs responding to public health surveys might be more motivated to advance in public health practice than those not responding. FUNDING: NHS England and UK Health Security Agency.