Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing.

Purpose: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 raised concerns about the best sampling sites for PCR testing, with early indications suggesting throat swab samples were better than nasal swab samples. Our study evaluated the sensitivity of detecting SARS-CoV-2 across different swabbing sites.

Methods: Participants undergoing testing at NHS Test and Trace sites in England provided self-collected samples using nose only, throat only, and combined nose and throat swabs, which were analysed by realtime PCR.

Metal concentrations in fish, crabs, and bivalve molluscs from marine waters adjacent to a multi-metals smelter and refinery.

Metal concentrations were determined in tissues of finfish, crabs, and bivalve molluscs collected from marine waters near Port Pirie, South Australia, the site of a long-standing multi-metals smelter and refinery. A general trend of tissue metal concentrations in order of highest to lowest was observed in bivalves > crabs > finfish. A lead concentration of 158 ± 6.

Looking after bubba for all our mob: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community experiences and perceptions of stillbirth.

The stillbirth rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities in Australia is around double that of non-Indigenous women. While the development of effective prevention strategies during pregnancy and improving care following stillbirth for women and families in communities has become a national priority, there has been limited progress in stillbirth disparities. With community permission, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of community experiences, perceptions, and priorities around stillbirth.

First Nations Peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs regarding stillbirth prevention and bereavement practices: A mixed methods systematic review.

Background: First Nations Peoples endure disproportionate rates of stillbirth compared with non-First Nations Peoples. Previous interventions have aimed at reducing stillbirth in First Nations Peoples and providing better bereavement care without necessarily understanding the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs that could influence the design of the intervention and implementation.

Aim: The aim of this review was to understand the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs about stillbirth prevention and bereavement of First Nations Peoples from the US, Canada, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and Australia.

Selenium and Vitamin E for Prevention of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence and Progression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Selenium and vitamin E have been identified as promising agents for the chemoprevention of recurrence and progression of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Objective: To determine whether selenium and/or vitamin E may prevent disease recurrence in patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter, prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial randomized clinical trial included patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC recruited from 10 secondary or tertiary care hospitals in the UK.

A combined molecular approach utilizing microbial DNA and microRNAs in a qPCR multiplex for the classification of five forensically relevant body fluids.

Body fluid identification is an essential step in the forensic biology workflow that can assist DNA analysts in determining where to collect DNA evidence. Current presumptive tests lack the specificity that molecular techniques can achieve; therefore, molecular methods, including microRNA (miRNA) and microbial signature characterization, have been extensively researched in the forensic community. Limitations of each method suggest combining molecular markers to increase the discrimination efficiency of multiple body fluids from a single assay.

First Nations populations' perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and myths about prevention and bereavement in stillbirth: a mixed methods systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to investigate First Nations populations' perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and myths about stillbirth.

Introduction: First Nations populations experience disproportionate rates of stillbirth compared with non-First Nations populations. There has been a surge of interventions aimed at reducing stillbirth and providing better bereavement care, but these are not necessarily appropriate for First Nations populations.

Organic Extraction of Nucleic Acids Using Ethanol Precipitation or Microcon Centrifugal Filter Purification Methods.

The use of organic solvents to separate nucleic acids from other cell components is a common practice among many scientific fields, including molecular biology and biochemistry. The advantage of performing organic extractions in forensic DNA analysis is the ability to purify DNA from heavily degraded or inhibitory sample types, such as skeletal remains. These sample types require special care to ensure that the DNA is contaminant-free since they often contain PCR inhibitors that negatively impact downstream DNA analysis, resulting in unobtainable or uninterpretable short tandem repeat (STR) profiles.

Evaluation and Verification of a microRNA Panel Using Quadratic Discriminant Analysis for the Classification of Human Body Fluids in DNA Extracts.

There is significant interest in the use of miRNA analysis for forensic body fluid identification. Demonstrated co-extraction and detection in DNA extracts could make the use of miRNAs a more streamlined molecular body fluid identification method than other RNA-based methods. We previously reported a reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) panel of eight miRNAs that classified venous and menstrual blood, feces, urine, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions using a quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) model with 93% accuracy in RNA extracts.

Paediatric minor head injury applied to Paediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network CT recommendations: An audit.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality, with higher TBI rates in low- and middle-income countries. Non-contrast brain CT is the gold standard for diagnosing intracranial injuries; however, it exposes patients to ionising radiation. The Paediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) clinical decision rule (CDR) aids clinicians in their decision-making processes whilst deciding whether a patient at very low risk of a clinically important TBI (ciTBI) requires a CT scan.

Developmental validation of a microRNA panel using quadratic discriminant analysis for the classification of seven forensically relevant body fluids.

Body fluid identification is an important step in the forensic DNA workflow, and more advanced methods, such as microRNA (miRNA) analysis, have been research topics within the community over the last few decades. We previously reported a reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) panel of eight miRNAs that could classify blood, menstrual secretions, feces, urine, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions through analysis of differential gene expression. The purpose of this project was to evaluate this panel in a larger population size, develop a more statistically robust analysis method and perform a series of developmental validation studies.

Design and optimization of a 16S microbial qPCR multiplex for the presumptive identification of feces, saliva, vaginal and menstrual secretions.

Molecular methods for body fluid identification have been extensively researched in the forensic community over the last decade, mostly focusing on RNA-based methods. Microbial DNA analysis has long been used for forensic applications, such as postmortem interval estimations, but only recently has it been applied to body fluid identification. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene by previous research groups revealed that microbial signatures and abundances vary across human body fluids at the genus and/or species taxonomic level.

'This won't hurt a bit!' - A descriptive review of health care professionals' pharmacological management of pain in minor trauma.

Background: Emergency Centres (ECs) have a prominent trauma burden requiring effective pain management. This study aimed to review analgesia-prescribing habits in minor trauma, reviewing the patient demographics and diagnoses, analgesia-prescribing habits of health care professionals (HCPs) managing these cases, and differences in prescribing noted by patients' age group, gender and triage code.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in a regional EC in KwaZulu-Natal.

Comparison of DNA typing success in compromised blood and touch samples based on sampling swab composition.

Sample collection at the crime scene can introduce variations in DNA recovery based upon the substrate from which a sample is collected, the material of the collection device used, or the storage conditions after collection. There are many factors during this process that can degrade the sample during drying and storage, and before DNA extraction can be performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of standard cotton swab collection with the Bode BioSafe swab, which includes both a desiccant at the swab head and proprietary compounds to prevent degradation of the sample during sample collection and preservation.

Understanding implementation factors and participant experiences of a cluster randomised controlled trial to prevent falls among older Aboriginal people: a process evaluation protocol.

Introduction: Process evaluations examining programme implementation are often conducted in conjunction with effectiveness studies. Their inclusion in studies with Aboriginal participants can give an understanding of programme delivery in Aboriginal community contexts. The programme was codesigned with Aboriginal communities and includes exercise and facilitated 'yarning' discussion about fall risk and prevention strategies.

The utility of serial chest X-rays for detection of delayed pneumothorax, haemothorax or haemopneumothorax following penetrating thoracic injury.

Introduction: Penetrating thoracic injuries are a common presentation in Emergency Departments in South Africa with pneumothorax, haemothorax and haemopneumothorax (PTX/HTX/HPTX) a cause of morbidity and mortality. Serial chest X-rays (CXRs) are used to assess patients with penetrating thoracic injury without PTX/HTX/HPTX on initial CXR in order to increase sensitivity and thus detection of PTX/HTX/HPTX. This study aimed to assess the utility of serial CXRs to detect a delayed presentation of PTX/HTX/HPTX following penetrating thoracic injury.

Hyperlactataemia with acute kidney injury following community assault: cause or effect?

Background: Crush injury is a common presenting clinical problem in South African trauma patients, causing acute kidney injury (AKI). It has been theorised previously that the AKI was not due to an anaerobic phenomenon. A previous local study noted the presence of a mild hyperlactataemia among patients with crush syndrome, but the significance and causes of this was not fully explored.

microRNA Detection in Blood, Urine, Semen, and Saliva Stains After Compromising Treatments.

Evaluation of microRNA (miRNA) expression as a potential method for forensic body fluid identification has been the subject of investigation over the past several years. Because of their size and encapsulation within proteins and lipids, miRNAs are inherently less susceptible to degradation than other RNAs. In this work, blood, urine, semen, and saliva were exposed to environmental and chemical conditions mimicking sample compromise at the crime scene.

Detection of microRNAs in DNA Extractions for Forensic Biological Source Identification.

Molecular-based approaches for biological source identification are of great interest in the forensic community because of a lack of sensitivity and specificity in current methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered due to their robust nature and tissue specificity; however, analysis requires a separate RNA extraction, requiring an additional step in the forensic analysis workflow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate miRNA detection in blood, semen, and saliva using DNA extraction methods commonly utilized for forensic casework.

Locally produced chicken eggs-a source of dietary lead for an Australian community living with an active lead smelter?

The South Australian regional city of Port Pirie has a long history of environmental lead contamination caused by smelting operations that have resulted in elevated blood lead levels in local children. This study examines the potential exposure of children to lead as a result of consuming eggs produced by domestic chickens kept in a lead-contaminated environment. Lead concentrations were measured in eggs, chicken enclosure soil, chicken feed and forage vegetation collected from a domestic site in Port Pirie.

Practicing medicine on the high seas: a review of South African doctors' careers in cruise ship medicine.

Background: There has been an increase in the number of South African doctors working in the field of maritime medicine on board cruise ships. Despite this, there is a paucity of literature available addressing the epidemiology, level of expertise and continued medical education (CME) activities of cruise ship medicine. We aim to describe the demographics, qualifications and level of experience of South African doctors embarking on a career as a cruise ship doctor and assess ongoing CME and the future careers of doctors post cruise ship medicine.

High-throughput miRNA sequencing and identification of biomarkers for forensically relevant biological fluids.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate cellular processes through modulation of proteins at the translational level. They tend to be highly stable as compared to other RNA species due to their small size and protection by protein and/or lipid matrices. Thus, it is likely that miRNAs, when fully evaluated, will make excellent candidates for body fluid identification.

Interpersonal violence as a major contributor towards the skewed burden of trauma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Trauma is one of the foremost causes of death worldwide, but there is a paucity of data on demographics and injury patterns in developing countries.

Objectives: To quantify and describe the major trauma burden at a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA), over a 5-year period.

Methods: Ngwelezane Hospital is a large regional hospital in northern KZN.

Psychological factors associated with weight loss maintenance: theory-driven practice for nurse practitioners.

The authors discuss the psychological factors associated with weight loss maintenance and the use of Pender's health promotion model as a guide for the construction of clinical interventions to address these factors. The psychological factors include internal drive for weight maintenance, ongoing self-monitoring, long-term flexibility, positive mood and emotions, appropriate goals, and management of external stimuli. Nurse practitioners can help combat obesity trends through caring for patients in a holistic manner.

Field evaluation of four spatial repellent devices against Arkansas rice-land mosquitoes.

Four commercially available spatial repellent devices were tested in a rice-land habitat near Stuttgart, AR, after semi-field level assessments had been made at the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture in Gainesville, FL. OFF! Clip-On(metofluthrin), Mosquito Cognito (linalool), No-Pest Strip (dichlorvos), and ThermaCELL (d-cisltrans allethrin) were selected for this study from >20 candidate products. The units based on metofluthrin, linalool, or d-cisltrans allethrin significantly reduced captures of 1 or more of the mosquito species at surrogate human sites (unlit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traps with CO2 and octenol).