Faculty of Science and Engineering
http://hdl.handle.net/2436/601392
2024-03-28T14:54:47Z
2024-03-28T14:54:47Z
Investigation and causes of spontaneous (non-diabetic) hypoglycaemia in adults: pitfalls to avoid
Elghobashy, Maiar
Gama, Rousseau
Ainuddin Sulaiman, Raashda
http://hdl.handle.net/2436/625453
2024-03-28T12:25:37Z
2023-10-22T00:00:00Z
Investigation and causes of spontaneous (non-diabetic) hypoglycaemia in adults: pitfalls to avoid
Elghobashy, Maiar; Gama, Rousseau; Ainuddin Sulaiman, Raashda
Although adult spontaneous (non-diabetic) hypoglycaemia is rare, its recognition is important for the preventative or curative treatment of the underlying cause. Establishing Whipple’s triad—low blood glucose, neuroglycopaenia and resolution of neuroglycopaenia on increasing blood glucose levels to normal or above—is essential to verify hypoglycaemia. Awareness that hypoglycaemia may occur in severely ill patients is important for its prevention. Further investigation in such cases is unnecessary unless another cause of hypoglycaemia is suspected. Patients are often asymptomatic and normoglycaemic at review. Their history of medication, self-medication, access to hypoglycaemic drugs, alcohol use and comorbidity may provide aetiological clues. The investigation involves obtaining blood samples during symptoms for laboratory glucose measurement or provoking fasting or postprandial hypoglycaemia as directed by symptoms. If confirmed, insulin, c-peptide, proinsulin and beta-hydroxybutyrate are analysed in hypoglycaemic samples. These will classify hypoglycaemia due to non-ketotic hyperinsulinaemia, non-ketotic hypoinsulinaemia and ketotic hypoinsulinaemia, and direct investigations to identify the underlying cause. There are, however, many pitfalls that may mislabel healthy individuals as “hypoglycaemic” or misdiagnose treatable or preventable causes of spontaneous hypoglycaemia. Clinical acumen and appropriate investigations will mostly identify hypoglycaemia and its cause.
© 2023 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13203275
2023-10-22T00:00:00Z
Harnessing photosynthetic microorganisms for enhanced bioremediation of microplastics: A comprehensive review
Barone, Giovanni Davide
Rodríguez-Seijo, Andrés
Parati, Mattia
Johnston, Brian
Erdem, Elif
Cernava, Tomislav
Zhu, Zhi
Liu, Xufeng
Axmann, Ilka M
Lindblad, Peter
Radecka, Iza
http://hdl.handle.net/2436/625448
2024-03-28T10:25:35Z
2024-03-20T00:00:00Z
Harnessing photosynthetic microorganisms for enhanced bioremediation of microplastics: A comprehensive review
Barone, Giovanni Davide; Rodríguez-Seijo, Andrés; Parati, Mattia; Johnston, Brian; Erdem, Elif; Cernava, Tomislav; Zhu, Zhi; Liu, Xufeng; Axmann, Ilka M; Lindblad, Peter; Radecka, Iza
Mismanaged plastics, upon entering the environment, undergo degradation through physicochemical and/or biological processes. This process often results in the formation of microplastics (MPs), the most prevalent form of plastic debris (<1 mm). MPs pose severe threats to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, necessitating innovative strategies for effective remediation. Some photosynthetic microorganisms can degrade MPs but there lacks a comprehensive review. Here we examine the specific role of photoautotrophic microorganisms in water and soil environments for the biodegradation of plastics, focussing on their unique ability to grow persistently on diverse polymers under sunlight. Notably, these cells utilise light and CO2 to produce valuable compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, showcasing their multifaceted environmental benefits. We address key scientific questions surrounding the utilisation of photosynthetic microorganisms for MPs and nanoplastics (NPs) bioremediation, discussing potential engineering strategies for enhanced efficacy. Our review highlights the significance of alternative biomaterials and the exploration of strains expressing enzymes, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) hydrolases, in conjunction with microalgal and/or cyanobacterial metabolisms. Furthermore, we delve into the promising potential of photo-biocatalytic approaches, emphasising the coupling of plastic debris degradation with sunlight exposure. The integration of microalgal-bacterial consortia is explored for biotechnological applications against MPs and NPs pollution, showcasing the synergistic effects in wastewater treatment through the absorption of nitrogen, heavy metals, phosphorous, and carbon. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the use of photoautotrophic cells for plastic bioremediation. It underscores the need for continued investigation into the engineering of these microorganisms and the development of innovative approaches to tackle the global issue of plastic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2024.100407
2024-03-20T00:00:00Z
Age-specific reference intervals of Abbott Intact PTH-potential impacts on clinical care
Kalaria, Tejas
Lawson, Alexander J
Duffy, Joanne
Agravatt, Ashishkumar
Harris, Steve
Ford, Clare
Gama, Rousseau
Webster, Craig
Geberhiwot, Tarekegn
http://hdl.handle.net/2436/625447
2024-03-28T10:03:05Z
2024-01-12T00:00:00Z
Age-specific reference intervals of Abbott Intact PTH-potential impacts on clinical care
Kalaria, Tejas; Lawson, Alexander J; Duffy, Joanne; Agravatt, Ashishkumar; Harris, Steve; Ford, Clare; Gama, Rousseau; Webster, Craig; Geberhiwot, Tarekegn
Background: PTH assays are not standardized; therefore, method-specific PTH reference intervals are required for interpretation of results. PTH increases with age in adults but age-related reference intervals for the Abbott intact PTH (iPTH) assay are not available. Methods: Deidentified serum PTH results from September 2015 to November 2022 were retrieved from the laboratory information system of a laboratory serving a cosmopolitan population in central-west England for individuals aged 18 years and older if the estimated glomerular filtration rate was ≥60 mL/min, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was >50 nmol/L, and serum albumin-adjusted calcium and serum phosphate were within reference intervals. Age-specific reference intervals for Abbott iPTH were derived by an indirect method using the refineR algorithm. Results: PTH increased with age and correlated with age when controlled for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and adjusted calcium (r = 0.093, P < .001). The iPTH age-specific reference intervals for 4 age partitions of 18 to 45 years, 46 to 60 years, 61 to 80 years, and 81 to 95 years were 1.6 to 8.6 pmol/L, 1.8 to 9.5 pmol/L, 2.0 to 11.3 pmol/L, and 2.3 to 12.3 pmol/L, respectively. PTH was higher in women compared with men (P < .001). Sex-specific age-related reference intervals could not be derived because of the limited sample size. Conclusion: Age-specific Abbott iPTH reference intervals were derived. Application of age-specific reference intervals will impact the diagnosis and management of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism, based on current definitions, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Additional studies are required to clarify the effect of sex and ethnicity on PTH.
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Oxford Academic. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvae004
2024-01-12T00:00:00Z
Measuring the impact of incorporating case study presentations into applied biomedical science placement workshops for trainee biomedical scientists
Bashir, Amreen
Dudley, Kathryn
Rana, Karan S.
Wilkins, Kayleigh
Pallett, Ross
http://hdl.handle.net/2436/625426
2024-02-22T04:54:10Z
2024-02-20T00:00:00Z
Measuring the impact of incorporating case study presentations into applied biomedical science placement workshops for trainee biomedical scientists
Bashir, Amreen; Dudley, Kathryn; Rana, Karan S.; Wilkins, Kayleigh; Pallett, Ross
Introduction: Successfully completing the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) registration portfolio is essential to becoming a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist. In the West Midlands, a unique collaboration between four universities (Aston, Wolverhampton, Coventry, and Keele) and local NHS Trusts supports student placements and portfolio development. The universities support Training Officers in delivering components of the registration portfolio through the delivery of eight combined placement workshops. These have been designed to align to the IBMS registration portfolio and help students meet the HCPC Standards of Proficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a redesigned workshop where students generated and presented medical case studies to peers, academics, and training leads.
Materials and Methods: The three phases of the case study intervention included a pre-intervention survey, academic-led sessions focussing on medical case presentations and delivery of the presentation followed by a post-intervention survey.
Results: Analysing survey responses pre- and post-intervention, students demonstrated enhanced confidence in their understanding of clinical conditions (p<0.0001), connecting lab findings to diseases, and in delivering a case presentation to their peers (p<0.001). Students reported an increased confidence in structuring case presentations and their critical thinking ability (p<0.0001). All students agreed engaging with the case study workshop improved their ability to communicate knowledge of scientific concepts orally. Thematic analysis revealed that the case presentation deepened students' understanding of multidisciplinary teams. 98% of respondents agreed patient communication should be integrated into Biomedical Sciences courses and 85% would like to see case study presentations embedded into the curriculum.
Discussion: Combined placement workshops are an integral part of the Applied Biomedical Science placement journey. Case study presentations are clearly a valuable teaching and learning tool to nurture and develop key transferable skills and competencies in conjunction with Biomedical Science expertise. The collaborative approach in the West Midlands effectively prepares graduates with essential pathology knowledge, skills, and a completed IBMS registration portfolio. This study highlights a successful framework for a collaborative partnership with local NHS trusts that has allowed the completion of numerous pathology placements and could be adopted by other universities delivering accredited Biomedical Science courses.
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Frontiers Media. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2024.12017
2024-02-20T00:00:00Z