Defining the peak: Point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 using randomised sampling.

Since Queensland eased border restrictions to the rest of Australia on 13 December 2021, notified cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) dramatically increased, with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant now the most widespread variant of concern: 145,881 cases and 13 deaths were recorded in Queensland in the month following the opening of the border. For an effective public health response to a highly transmissible disease, it is important to know the prevalence in the community, but the exponential increase in cases meant that many with symptoms had difficulty getting tested. We implemented a surveillance program on the Gold Coast that used a modified randomised household cluster survey method to estimate the point prevalence of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Pelvic orientation for total hip arthroplasty in lateral decubitus: can it be accurately measured?

Introduction: During total hip arthroplasty (THA), accurately predicting acetabular cup orientation remains a key challenge, in great part because of uncertainty about pelvic orientation. This pilot study aimed to develop and validate a technique to measure pelvic orientation; establish its accuracy in the location of anatomical landmarks and subsequently; investigate if limb movement during a simulated surgical procedure alters pelvic orientation.

Methods: The developed technique measured 3-D orientation of an isolated Sawbone pelvis, it was then implemented to measure pelvic orientation in lateral decubitus with post-THA patients (n = 20) using a motion capture system.

Patients' perception of leg length discrepancy post total hip arthroplasty.

Perception of a leg length discrepancy post total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most common sources of patient dissatisfaction and can have a direct influence on the considered success of the operation.This research examined postoperative perception of imposed limb discrepancies in a group of THA patients compared to a group of participants with no previous hip surgery. Two subgroups of THA patients were involved: those who did not perceive a difference in limb length following THA and those that did.

A novel device to measure acetabular inclination with patients in lateral decubitus.

The ability to measure acetabular cup orientation accurately during total hip arthroplasty represents a significant challenge. The aim of this research was to develop and evaluate a novel low cost mechanical device for measuring operative acetabular inclination. Cup implantation was simulated in two trials using the novel device: firstly involving surgeons and engineers orientating acetabular cups with sawbone pelves at a range of inclination angles (20°-55° in 5° increments); secondly in a simulated intra-operative scenario with surgeons.

Through-thickness control of polymer bioresorption via electron beam irradiation.

Predicable and controlled degradation is not only central to the accurate delivery of bioactive agents and drugs, it also plays a vital role in key aspects of bone tissue engineering. The work addressed in this paper investigates the utilisation of e-beam irradiation in order to achieve a controlled (surface) degradation profile. This study focuses on the modification of commercially and clinically relevant materials, namely poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(L-lactide-hydroxyapatite) (PLLA-HA), poly(L-lactide-glycolide) co-polymer (PLG) and poly(L-lactide-DL-lactide) co-polymer (PLDL).