Publications by authors named "B Courtenay"

The Australian Army recently adopted the British concept of hospital exercise (HOSPEX) as a means of evaluating the capabilities of its deployable NATO Role 2E hospital, the 2nd General Health Battalion. The Australian approach to HOSPEX differs from the original UK model. This article describes the reasons why the Australian Army needed to adopt the HOSPEX concept, how it was adapted to suit local circumstances and how the concept may evolve to meet the needs of the wider Australian Defence Force and our allies.

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Human group IIA-secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA) is an important regulator of cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses in both in vitro and in vivo models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, treatment of RA patients with sPLA(2)-IIA inhibitors shows only transient benefit. Using an activity-impaired sPLA(2)-IIA mutant protein (H48Q), we show that up-regulation of TNF-dependent PGE(2) production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction by exogenous sPLA(2)-IIA in RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) is independent of its enzyme function.

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Fractures of the talus are rare and generally associated with severe trauma. The mechanism of injury is usually forced dorsiflexion or a fall from a height. Severe talar fractures pose a challenge for surgeons as they are often associated with complications such as avascular necrosis, collapse, malunion, secondary osteoarthritis and pain.

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Objectives: To analyse the differences in patient health outcomes and out-of-pocket costs following hip and knee joint replacement for osteoarthritis between patients who went home immediately after the acute care hospital stay and those who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation care before going home.

Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement in Sydney, Australia completed cost diaries, SF-36 and WOMAC Index, pre-operatively and for one year post-operatively.

Results: The health status of all groups improved significantly from before surgery to 12 months post-surgery.

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