Stratifying asthma severity in children using cough sound analytic technology.

Asthma is a common childhood respiratory disorder characterized by wheeze, cough and respiratory distress responsive to bronchodilator therapy. Asthma severity can be determined by subjective, manual scoring systems such as the Pulmonary Score (PS). These systems require significant medical training and expertise to rate clinical findings such as wheeze characteristics, and work of breathing.

A prospective multicentre study testing the diagnostic accuracy of an automated cough sound centred analytic system for the identification of common respiratory disorders in children.

Background: The differential diagnosis of paediatric respiratory conditions is difficult and suboptimal. Existing diagnostic algorithms are associated with significant error rates, resulting in misdiagnoses, inappropriate use of antibiotics and unacceptable morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in acoustic engineering and artificial intelligence have shown promise in the identification of respiratory conditions based on sound analysis, reducing dependence on diagnostic support services and clinical expertise.

The Western Australian family connections genealogical project: detection of familial occurrences of single gene and chromosomal disorders.

Aim: To investigate using a Western Australian (WA) genealogical database for the identification of single gene and chromosome disorders among families.

Method: Hospital admissions for single gene and chromosome disorders recorded during 2000-2006 were identified from the WA Hospital Morbidity Data System. The proportion of these conditions occurring in family groups was then identified using genealogical links created through the WA Family Connections Genealogical Project.

Experiences of expressing and storing colostrum antenatally: A qualitative study of mothers in regional Western Australia.

This qualitative study explored the experiences and breastfeeding outcomes of a group of mothers who expressed colostrum in the antenatal period. In-depth interviews were conducted over the telephone with 12 women who had attended a unique antenatal lactation clinic appointment at 37 weeks' gestation. Seven main response themes were identified.

Buccal DNA collection: comparison of buccal swabs with FTA cards.

Collection and analysis of DNA, most commonly from blood or buccal cells, is becoming more common in epidemiologic studies. Buccal samples, which are painless to take and relatively easily collected, are often the preferred source. There are several buccal cell collection methods: swabs, brushes, mouthwash, and treated cards, such as FTA or IsoCode cards.