Safety of allogeneic umbilical cord blood infusions for the treatment of neurological conditions: a systematic review of clinical studies.

Background Aims: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) infusion is being investigated as a treatment for a range of neurological conditions, primarily because of its potent immunomodulatory effects mediated via paracrine signaling. Although initial research mainly utilized autologous UCB, allogeneic samples from a sibling or unrelated donor have now become more common. With the use of allogeneic UCB, questions have arisen surrounding the necessity for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, preparative regimens and immunosuppressant drugs.

Positive perception of stem cells for neurological conditions: results from an Australian public forum.

Stem cells offer great hope and promise as a potential treatment for human diseases. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the public perception of stem cells for neurological conditions. A paper-based questionnaire was administered to all attendees of a free, public stem cell forum.

Deposition of artificial radionuclides in sediments of Loch Etive, Scotland.

The nuclear fuel reprocessing plants on the Sellafield site (UK) have released low-level effluents into the Irish Sea under authorisation since 1952. This has led to the labelling of nearby offshore sediments with a range of artificial radionuclides. In turn, these sediments act as a long-term secondary source of both soluble and particle-associated radionuclides to coastal areas.

Influenza testing trends in sentinel surveillance general practices in Victoria 2007 to 2014.

The Victorian Sentinel Practice Influenza Network conducts syndromic surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI), with testing for laboratory confirmation of a proportion of cases at the discretion of general practitioners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consistency of sentinel general practitioners' swabbing practice within and between influenza seasons. Aggregated, weekly, non-identified data for May to October each year from 2007 to 2014 were used to calculate the proportion of patients presenting with ILI (defined as cough, fever and fatigue), proportion of ILI patients swabbed and proportion of swabs positive for influenza.

Quitting activity and tobacco brand switching: findings from the ITC-4 Country Survey.

Objective: Among Australian smokers, to examine associations between cigarette brand switching, quitting activity and possible causal directions by lagging the relationships in different directions.

Methods: Current smokers from nine waves (2002 to early 2012) of the ITC-4 Country Survey Australian dataset were surveyed. Measures were brand switching, both brand family and product type (roll-your-own versus factory-made cigarettes) reported in adjacent waves, interest in quitting, recent quit attempts, and one month sustained abstinence.

Interventions to improve safe and effective medicines use by consumers: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Many systematic reviews exist on interventions to improve safe and effective medicines use by consumers, but research is distributed across diseases, populations and settings. The scope and focus of such reviews also vary widely, creating challenges for decision-makers seeking to inform decisions by using the evidence on consumers' medicines use.This is an update of a 2011 overview of systematic reviews, which synthesises the evidence, irrespective of disease, medicine type, population or setting, on the effectiveness of interventions to improve consumers' medicines use.

A retrospective review of notified human cryptosporidiosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand, 2004 to 2011.

Aim: To retrospectively review notified human cryptosporidiosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand between 2004 and 2011 and to identify risk factors for human cryptosporidiosis infection.

Method: Waikato cryptosporidiosis notification data for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2011 were analysed to identify any trends in the rates and distribution of key variables. A comparison was made between urban and rural dwelling cases.

Cigarette brand loyalty in Australia: findings from the ITC Four Country Survey.

Background And Aim: There is little academic research on tobacco brand loyalty and switching, and even less in restrictive marketing environments such as Australia. This paper examines tobacco brand family loyalty, reasons for choice of brand and the relation between these and sociodemographic variables over a period of 10 years in Australia.

Methods: Data from current Australian smokers from 9 waves of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation 4-Country Survey covering the period from 2002 to early 2012.

A retrospective review of notified human leptospirosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand, 2004 to 2010.

Aim: To retrospectively review notified human leptospirosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand between 2004 and 2010 and to identify risk factors for human leptospirosis infection.

Method: Waikato leptospirosis notification data for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2010 were analysed to identify any trends in the rates and distribution of key variables.

Results: Annual Waikato leptospirosis notification rates were consistently higher than national rates.

Using an online service for breastfeeding support: what mothers want to discuss.

Issue Addressed: There is little research on how the establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding and other early parenting skills is assisted by the use of electronic peer support groups. In what ways do parents use a popular peer-moderated online resource and what topics do they choose to discuss? The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the main uses of an electronic discussion board hosted by a prominent Australian lay breastfeeding advocacy organisation.

Methods: Three consecutive days of conversations on the discussion board were followed.

Discriminatory classification of natural and anthropogenic waters in two U.K. estuaries.

The ability to distinguish water inputs from both natural and anthropogenic sources was investigated in the complex environment of an urban estuary (Tyne) and a relatively pristine estuary (Tweed). We used a data set from a total of 11 estuarine transects, comprising measurements of bulk dissolved organic matter (dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen), dissolved nitrogen (total dissolved nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate+nitrite and dissolved organic nitrogen), optical absorbance measurements (a350, S290-350) and fluorescence excitation emission matrix measurements (fluorophores A, H, B and T intensity and A and H emission wavelength maxima). In order to investigate trends within the numerous parameters measured, multivariate statistics were employed.

Evaluating the sources and fate of anthropogenic dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in two contrasting North Sea estuaries.

Nitrogen isotope ratios (delta(15)N) were used to help elucidate the sources and fate of ammonium (NH(4)(+)) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) in two northeastern English estuaries. The dominant feature of NH(4)(+) in the heavily urbanised Tyne estuary was a plume arising from a single point source; a large sewage works. Although NH(4)(+) concentrations (ranging from 30-150 microM) near the sewage outfall varied considerably between surveys, the sewage-derived delta(15)N-NH(4)(+) signature was remarkably constant (+10.

Direct interface of chemistry to microbiological systems: membrane inlet mass spectrometry.

Direct measurement of dissolved gases and low molecular weight volatiles through permeable membranes (e.g. 50-microm-thick silicone rubber), provides an invaluable tool for the investigation of the activities of microorganisms in the laboratory and in their natural environments.

Membrane inlet mass spectrometric measurement of O2 and CO2 gradients in cultures of Lactobacillus paracasei and a developing Cheddar cheese ecosystem.

Membrane inlet mass spectrometry was used to measure O2 and CO2 as depth profiles in stab cultures of 0.1% agar Man Rogosa Sharpe medium inoculated with Lactobacillus paracasei CI3. Diffusion of CO2 from the central column of growth into the medium was observed to show lower concentrations where bacteria were absent.

Membrane inlet ion trap mass spectrometry for the direct measurement of dissolved gases in ecological samples.

The use of an ion trap mass spectrometer with three different membrane inlet probes is described. Two methods of removing water from the sample are compared. One is the use of a PTFE-silicone rubber double membrane, PTFE is relatively impermeable to water and so reduces the amount entering with the gas sample (Probe A).

Melorheostosis in a family with autosomal dominant osteopoikilosis.

We describe a 19-year-old woman with melorheostosis and osteopoikilosis (mixed sclerosing bone dysplasia). Her sister and mother had osteopoikilosis, but no evidence of melorheostosis. Isolated melorheostosis and melorheostosis with osteopoikilosis are sporadic disorders.

Policy instruments for reducing toxic releases. The effectiveness of state information and enforcement actions.

This article analyzes the extent to which different policy instruments explain toxic reductions among the states. Data from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and other sources are used to assess the effect of various policy instruments, while holding economic factors constant. State TRI information programs, enforcement action, and direct regulation all matter in reducing toxic releases.