Things in the library 27 April...

Things about honey...
A recent Cochrane review evaluated the effectiveness of honey for acute cough in children in ambulatory settings. They concluded that honey probably relieves cough symptoms to a greater extent than no treatment, diphenhydramine, and placebo, but may make little or no difference compared to dextromethorphan. Honey probably reduces cough duration better than placebo and salbutamol. There was no strong evidence for or against using honey. Most of the children received treatment for one night, which is a limitation to the results of this review. There was no difference in occurrence of adverse events between the honey and control arms.

Things about pre-conception...
Parental environmental factors, including diet, body composition, metabolism, and stress, affect the health and chronic disease risk of people throughout their lives, as captured in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease concept. Research across the epidemiological, clinical, and basic science fields has identified the period around conception as being crucial for the processes mediating parental influences on the health of the next generation. During this time, from the maturation of gametes through to early embryonic development, parental lifestyle can adversely influence long-term risks of offspring cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neurological morbidities, often termed developmental programming. This is discussed in an article in the Lancet and calls for a major re-examination of public health policy to protect against future disease risk through societal advice on, and greater provision of, preconception care, as also promoted in the two accompanying reviews in this Series. Although a focus on parental risk factors during the preconception period, such as smoking and excess alcohol intake, is wise and well established, new drives to prepare nutritionally for pregnancy are crucial, including healthy body composition, physical activity, and diet for both parents.

Things about medicines...
The King's fund have published a briefing looking at how much the health service spends in total on medicines, both generics and branded medicines, based on publicly available data. In recent years, spending on branded medicines has been constrained by the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme a new instalment of which is currently under negotiation. They also explore policies used to try to control growth in costs and the choices policy-makers are likely to face in the future.






Things about pints...
Pint of Science festival returns to Sheffield from Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 May, featuring talks by colleagues from across the University. Taking place in six of the city’s best-loved pubs, the festival promises a fascinating insight into the research of our University’s world-leading scientists.
Some events sell out quickly as they are in small venues - tickets just £4.



Things about clinical research...

To celebrate International Clinical Trials Day, on Friday 18th May the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility at RHH is opening its doors to the public for a tour of the facility. Led by one of their experienced research nurses, you will have the chance to meet their diverse team and ask any burning questions you have about clinical research. There’ll be an opportunity to try out some research activities with their research therapists, and learn more about the varied, exciting and innovative work taking place in the STH Trust. Free but you need to register.

Things to make...
Still without cooking facilities at my house (though the end is in sight) but when I have an oven again I rather fancy these Apricot, honey & pistachio flapjacks . Perhaps the honey will help with my cough....though that probably has more to do with all the plaster dust!

Things in the library 20th April...

Things about mental health...
A new report from YoungMinds warns that while there is growing awareness about children and young people’s mental health, it is still far too difficult for young people with mental health problems to get the help they need. The #FightingFor report, which is being published to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary, shows that while most people believe that there is less stigma about mental health than there used to be, young people and parents face a huge range of barriers to finding the right support.

Things about critical appraisal...
Sarah will be running her next Critical Appraisal course for SCH staff on 14th May 9.30 - 13.00 - you need to book a place on this via Course Bookings on the intranet. You will learn how to critically appraise healthcare information and to understand why this is important. No previous knowledge required and free of charge but booking essential as it will not run unless there are sufficient attendees.

ScHARR  is running  a 1 day course on 8th May Instant Evidence Based Medicine: How to Critically Appraise Research . This course will look at how to understand and appraise research articles. You will learn how to quickly read a paper and grasp its key findings, how to interpret and understand key data, how to appraise a paper’s methods and assess its usefulness and value. You will look at ‘internal validity’ - how close the research has got to the ‘truth’, and ‘external validity’ - can the research be usefully applied in your own work situation? Overall the course aims to help you become a better user of research. Bookings will automatically close at midnight on Wednesday, 25th April 2018 cost £399

Things about transition services...
An article from Canadian Family Physician journal seeks to demonstrate how family physicians can contribute to a piece of the journey of improving quality-of-life outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) when they undergo the transition from adolescence to adulthood.





Things about obesity...

The article  'Family Functioning and Childhood Obesity Treatment: a Family Systems Theory-Informed Approach.' in Academic Pediatrics provides the background and evidence for use of FST, detail how families organise around weight-related behaviours that contribute to obesity, and based on their organisation what type of treatment may be beneficial, FST-informed or family-based behavioural interventions. Finally, a suggested family-based clinical algorithm is provided detailing the use of FST through assessment, intervention, and follow-up that can be refined over time by providers and researchers committed to viewing obesity in the context of the family and family dynamics.

Things about fruit juice...
Whether or not drinking 100% fruit juice causes poor health is controversial. Although 100% fruit juice may contain as much sugar as regular soda, it provides needed nutrients to diets. This article in Advances in Nutrition systematically reviews the current evidence of the association of 100% fruit juice consumption and chronic health conditions in children and adults. They focused on data from systematic reviews and meta-analyses about cardiometabolic health outcomes, liver disease, and caries. They conclude that aside from increased risk of tooth decay in children and small amounts of weight gain in young children and adults, there is no conclusive evidence that consumption of 100% fruit juice has adverse health effects. Guidelines from groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommending that 100% fruit juice may be consumed in moderation are consistent with the available evidence and should be used to inform food policies.

Things to eat...

With the welcome return of the sun this week, I thought I would pick Minted melon, tomato & prosciutto salad today and it's particularly useful to those of us without kitchens at the moment!

Things in the library 13th April...

Things up North...
A report from the Children's commissioner 'Growing up North - Look north: a generation of children await the powerhouse promise' has been published. This report is not seeking to reinforce old narratives of wholesale northern decline. However, it is also important to understand that a disproportionate number of children in the North are growing up in communities of entrenched disadvantage which have not enjoyed the financial growth or government energy and spotlight that have so boosted opportunities in other areas of the country – London and the South East in particular.
As a result, too many disadvantaged children in the North are being left behind.

This report sets out starkly what this means:

• Too many children starting school far behind where they should be. Often with special educational needs no one has picked up.
• Children from disadvantaged backgrounds facing an education gap that starts before schools and widens throughout education
• More than half of the secondary schools serving the North’s most deprived communities are judged to be less than good.
• Large numbers of children dropping out of education before they reach 18.
• Lack of confidence amongst children that economic regeneration will mean more jobs or opportunities. 

Things to read...

The next Reading group will be on 2nd May at 17:15 in the Illingworth Library. The book we will be discussing is Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Oscar Wilde’s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author’s most popular work. Of Dorian Gray’s relationship to autobiography, Wilde noted in a letter, “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.”

Come and join us after work for a relaxed chat about books - along with drinks and nibbles.

.....and things to buy

We have just refilled our 'books for sale' trolley with  old editions that we have replaced recently. Many of these are well worth buying at a fraction of the cost of the new editions so come up and browse or ask us to send you the list of titles available.

Things about our health...

The Health Foundation ( an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK) has published a quick guide: 'What makes us healthy? : an introduction to the social determinants of health' - this has been written for anyone with an interest in people's health and well-being.

Things to attend...

A lecture on about patient choice on Thursday 19th April 13:00 at the University of Sheffield  Elmfield Building, Lecture Theatre 1, S10 2TU given by Merran Toerien, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of York. In this talk, she engages critically with the RCS guidelines on consent on the basis of her analysis of over 200 recorded neurology outpatient consultations together with self-report data collected pre- and post-recording. Her aim is not to suggest a return to a paternalistic conceptualisation of the doctor-patient relationship, but rather to highlight some problems inherent in proposing ‘informed choice’ as necessarily the best alternative to paternalism. Further information

A lecture on well-being in organisations on 18th April 17:00-19:00 Middleton Lecture Theatre Sheffield University Management School. The aim of organisational interventions is to improve employee health and well-being through changing the way work is organised, designed and managed. Controversy exists as to the effectiveness of this type of interventions as some argue interventions targeting the individual may be more effective. Professor Nielsen argues that in order to understand how these interventions work we need to move beyond the question of “what works?” to “what works for whom under which circumstances?”. In doing so, we need to focus on the processes of such interventions and the conditions in the context that may support these processes. Further information.

Things to eat...

I have been without a kitchen for the last 2 weeks so I am having to be inventive with a microwave! I think I shall be trying this Microwave jambalaya out next week - don't expect it will be as good as 'proper' cooking but surely better than a ready meal!

Things in the library 9 April

Tough things..
Plans for the NHS in the coming year look impossible to deliver despite comments from the prime minister on long term NHS funding, according to a detailed analysis by NHS Providers.

The report Tough Task: The NHS delivering for patients and staff in 2018/19 presents a stark and worrying assessment of the challenges facing NHS trusts this coming financial year.
The report reveals widespread scepticism about the ability of the service to meet performance and financial targets in 2018/19.

Things about weight perception..

A study in the Lancet in 2017 described the global trends in the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight in children, adolescents and adults from 1975 to 2016. Parent's play a vital role in controlling children's weight and one important aspect is how parents perceive their children's weight status. They must be aware of any growth deviations in their children, such overweight or obesity, in order to take action. This editorial in Acta Paediatrica discusses papers relevant to this issue.


Things working closer together..

NHS England and NHS Improvement have revealed their intention to work much more closely together to maximise efficiencies and reduce duplication.
From September 2018 (subject to board approval), the groups intend to increase integration and alignment of national programmes and activities, led by one team where possible, as well as integration of NHS England and NHS Improvement regional teams, to be led in each case by one regional director working for both organisations.

Details of the proposals are available here.

Things on the move..

Thousands of runners will be taking part in the Asda Foundation Sheffield Half Marathon this Sunday 8th April. With a city centre start and finish, the event boasts a super scenic route with stunning views of the Peak District for those who conquer the climb to Ringinglow. 

Check the route for where road closures will be. 

Things from Madeira

Sarah has just returned from the island and discovered some interesting things..

The famous Madeira cake is not from Madeira.  It was named after Madeira wine, invented in the 1800s and often served with it.

The recipe can be found here

Madeirans produce their own traditional cake - bolo de mel, a dark, spicy, honey cake.  It is similar to an English Christmas cake and has great depth of flavour.

The recipe can be found here

Madeira wine is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry wines which can be consumed on their own as an aperitif to sweet wines usually consumed with dessert. Cheaper cooking versions are often flavoured with salt and pepper for use in cooking, but these are not fit for consumption as a beverage.