Revalidation of Proactive Gastrostomy Tube Placement Guidelines for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Helical Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy.

The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) Swallowing and Nutrition Management Guidelines for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer were developed to enable evidence-based decision-making by the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team (H&N MDT) regarding enteral nutrition support options. The purpose of this study was to revalidate these guidelines in a cohort of patients receiving helical intensity-modulated radiotherapy (H-IMRT) compared to a historical cohort who received primarily 3D-conformal radiotherapy. Eligible patients attending the RBWH H&N MDT between 2013 and 2014 (n = 315) were assessed by the guidelines, with high-risk patients being recommended proactive gastrostomy tube placement.

Exploring hospital mealtime experiences of older inpatients, caregivers and staff using photovoice methods.

Aim: To gather and understand the experience of hospital mealtimes from the perspectives of those receiving and delivering mealtime care (older inpatients, caregivers and staff) using photovoice methods to identify touchpoints and themes to inform the co-design of new mealtime interventions.

Methods: This study was undertaken on acute care wards within a single metropolitan hospital in Brisbane, Australia in 2019. Photovoice methods involved a researcher accompanying 21 participants (10 older patients, 5 caregivers, 4 nurses and 2 food service officers) during a mealtime and documenting meaningful elements using photographs and field notes.

A fluorescent splice-switching mouse model enables high-throughput, sensitive quantification of antisense oligonucleotide delivery and activity.

While antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are used in the clinic, therapeutic development is hindered by the inability to assay ASO delivery and activity in vivo. Accordingly, we developed a dual-fluorescence, knockin mouse model that constitutively expresses mKate2 and an engineered EGFP that is alternatively spliced in the presence of ASO to induce expression. We first examined free ASO activity in the brain following intracerebroventricular injection revealing EGFP splice-switching is both ASO concentration and time dependent in major central nervous system cell types.

Plasma cytokine and growth factor response to acute psychosocial stress in major depressive disorder.

Background: Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are elevated in response to psychosocial stress; however, less is known about other inflammatory markers.

Methods: We explored response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) of 16 cytokines and growth factors in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 12) vs. healthy volunteers (HV, n = 16).

Sustainability of enhanced recovery after surgery programmes in gastrointestinal surgery: A scoping review.

Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is an evidence-based intervention that is well-recognised across multiple surgical specialties as having potential to lead to improved patient and hospital outcomes. Little is known about sustainability of ERAS programmes.

Aims: This review aimed to describe available evidence evaluating sustainability of ERAS programmes in gastrointestinal surgery to understand: (a) how sustainability has been defined; (b) examine determinants of sustainability; (c) identify strategies used to facilitate sustainability; (d) identify adaptations to support sustainability; and (e) examine outcomes measured as indicators of sustainability of ERAS programmes.

'Life is about movement-everything that is alive moves': a mixed methods study to understand barriers and enablers to inpatient mobility from the older patient's perspective.

Background: Mobility in hospital is important to maintain independence and prevent complications. Our multi-centre study aimed to measure mobility and identify barriers and enablers to mobility participation from the older patient's perspective.

Methods: Mixed methods study including direct observation of adult inpatients on 20 acute care wards in 12 hospitals and semi-structured interviews with adults aged 65 years or older on each of these wards.

Associations between diet composition, dietary pattern, and weight outcomes after bariatric surgery: a systematic review.

Introduction: Literature describing the impact of dietary intake on weight outcomes after bariatric surgery has not been synthesized. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence regarding any association between diet composition and weight outcomes post-bariatric surgery.

Methods: CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE and Scopus were searched for adult studies up to June 2021 that assessed any association between dietary intakes (≥1-macronutrient, food group, or dietary pattern) and weight outcomes at 12-months or longer after bariatric surgery.

Lipid nanoparticle delivery limits antisense oligonucleotide activity and cellular distribution in the brain after intracerebroventricular injection.

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics are being investigated for a broad range of neurological diseases. While ASOs have been effective in the clinic, improving productive ASO internalization into target cells remains a key area of focus in the field. Here, we investigated how the delivery of ASO-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) affects ASO activity, subcellular trafficking, and distribution in the brain.

Use and safety of enteral nutrition protocols in acute care: A scoping review of literature and retrospective audit of practice.

Aim: Standardised enteral nutrition protocols are recommended in critical care, however their use and safety are not well described in other inpatient populations. This mixed methods study reports on the use and safety of enteral nutrition protocols for non-critically ill adults.

Methods: A scoping review of published literature was conducted.

Correlating the Structure and Gene Silencing Activity of Oligonucleotide-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering.

With three FDA-approved products, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are under intensive development for delivering wide-ranging nucleic acid therapeutics. A significant challenge for LNP development is insufficient understanding of structure-activity relationship (SAR). Small changes in chemical composition and process parameters can affect LNP structure, significantly impacting performance and .

Effect of supplements/intensive nutrition on pressure ulcer healing: a multicentre, randomised controlled study.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of an intensive nutrition intervention or use of wound healing supplements compared with standard nutritional care in pressure ulcer (PU) healing in hospitalised patients.

Method: Adult patients with a Stage II or greater PU and predicted length of stay (LOS) of at least seven days were eligible for inclusion in this pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (RCT). Patients with a PU were randomised to receive either: standard nutritional care (n=46); intensive nutritional care delivered by a dietitian (n=42); or standard care plus provision of a wound healing nutritional formula (n=43).

Oxygen impact and reactivity trials: A new perspective on emergency response precautions.

The objective of this research was to verify and qualify what has been traditionally taught as fact during first responder's hazardous materials training regarding response precautions to and the likely behaviors of liquid oxygen (LOx) during a release. Subject matter experts disagreed that these precautions were well-founded in precedent or science. Findings showed that impact pressure causes a reaction in LOx and asphalt under specific conditions.

Binding of adenovirus species C hexon to prothrombin and the influence of hexon on vector properties in vitro and in vivo.

The majority of adenovirus (Ad) vectors are based on human Ad type 5, which is a member of Ad species C. Species C also includes the closely-related types 1, 2, 6, 57 and 89. It is known that coagulation factors bind to Ad5 hexon and play a key role in the liver tropism of Ad5 vectors, but it is unclear how coagulation factors affect vectors derived from other species C Ads.

Predictive high-throughput screening of PEGylated lipids in oligonucleotide-loaded lipid nanoparticles for neuronal gene silencing.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are gaining traction in the field of nucleic acid delivery following the success of two mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. As one of the constituent lipids on LNP surfaces, PEGylated lipids (PEG-lipids) play an important role in defining LNP physicochemical properties and biological interactions. Previous studies indicate that LNP performance is modulated by tuning PEG-lipid parameters including PEG size and architecture, carbon tail type and length, as well as the PEG-lipid molar ratio in LNPs.

Physical Activity Levels in Hospitalized Adults With Burn Injuries.

Physical activity behavior has not been previously described in hospitalized adults with burn injuries. This prospective, cross-sectional study used a standardized behavioral mapping protocol to observe patient behavior related to physical activity over a 12-hour period on one weekday in a quaternary referral specialist burn center. Structured observations were recorded for each of four domains: 1) patient location, 2) position, 3) activity performed, and 4) the presence of others.

Multivalent interactions make adherens junction-cytoskeletal linkage robust during morphogenesis.

Embryogenesis requires cells to change shape and move without disrupting epithelial integrity. This requires robust, responsive linkage between adherens junctions and the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Using Drosophila morphogenesis, we define molecular mechanisms mediating junction-cytoskeletal linkage and explore the role of mechanosensing.

The Human Right to Justice for Older Persons With Mental Health Conditions.

This article explores the nature and extent of barriers to access to justice that older persons experience, including those with mental health conditions. It finds that access to justice-the right to fair, prompt and responsive decisions by administrative decision-makers and equal access to courts and tribunals to obtain timely and effective remedies-is not only an important right in itself but also enables the enjoyment of many other human rights. Yet older persons, particularly those with mental health conditions, face a significant "justice gap.

Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Purinergic Signaling Contributes to Host Microenvironment Plasticity and Metastasis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Metastasis accounts for over 90% of cancer-related deaths, yet the mechanisms guiding this process remain unclear. Secreted nucleoside diphosphate kinase A and B (NDPK) support breast cancer metastasis. Proteomic evidence confirms their presence in breast cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs).

The effects of a family-centered psychosocial-based nutrition intervention in patients with advanced cancer: the PiCNIC2 pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Malnutrition in advanced cancer patients is common but limited and inconclusive data exists on the effectiveness of nutrition interventions. Feasibility and acceptability of a novel family-based nutritional psychosocial intervention were established recently. The aims of this present study were to assess the feasibility of undertaking a randomised controlled trial of the latter intervention, to pilot test outcome measures and to explore preliminary outcomes.

Exploring the highs and lows of very low carbohydrate high fat diets on weight loss and diabetes- and cardiovascular disease-related risk markers: A systematic review.

Aim: Very low carbohydrate high fat diets (VLCHF) are increasingly popular for weight loss and diabetes management, but the risk implications of long-term adherence to a high-fat-diet remain unclear, especially in high-risk populations. This review aimed to examine adherence, weight loss, diabetes- and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related risk markers in adults consuming VLCHF diets.

Methods: Online databases were searched for randomised controlled trials ≥3 months duration that met a pre-defined macronutrient prescription: VLCHF ≤25%E carbohydrate, >35%E fat; low fat (LF) ≥45%E carbohydrate, ≤30%E fat; and reported energy, saturated fat (SFA), weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure (BP).

Human rights unbound: An unrepentant call for a more complete application of human rights in relation to older persons-And beyond.

This article argues that, in relation to ageing issues in Australian society, we need to more strongly embrace an explicit and comprehensive human rights framework in analysing what is going on in our society and to adopt a much more robust and demanding human rights approach to policy development and holding government accountable for its actions and inaction. This means not just the explicit invocation of existing human rights norms to ageing issues, but also the development of new norms and interpretations of human rights that more fully reflect the perspectives of older persons than current mainstream norms do. The argument is developed through an analysis of reports of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and into Violence against Persons with Disabilities.

Secondary-prevention behaviour-change strategy for high-risk patients: Benefits for all classes of body mass index.

Aim: Research is needed to support the long-term benefits of lifestyle interventions for management of high-risk patients with different BMI classifications. This prospective multicentre study assessed two-year outcomes of hospital-referred patients (BMI 25-61 kg/m ) attending a dietitian-led multidisciplinary Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Behaviour-Change Program in group or individual formats in hospital outpatient settings.

Methods: Bodyweight, quality of life (Short Form-12) and intuitive eating (Intuitive Eating Scale) data were collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 2 years.