Associations between Sleep Quality and Serum Levels of Neurofilament Light in Individuals with Premanifest Huntington Disease.

 To evaluate the associations between sleep quality and serum levels of neurofilament light (NfL) protein in individuals with premanifest Huntington disease (HD).  We recruited 28 individuals with premanifest HD from a pre-existing database (of the Huntington's Environmental Research Optimisation Scheme, HEROs). The participants filled out the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a subjective measure of sleep quality, and blood was collected via routine venepuncture to measure peripheral NfL levels.

Retinal Dystrophies Associated With Peripherin-2: Genetic Spectrum and Novel Clinical Observations in 241 Patients.

Purpose: To describe the clinical, electrophysiological and genetic spectrum of inherited retinal diseases associated with variants in the PRPH2 gene.

Methods: A total of 241 patients from 168 families across 15 sites in 9 countries with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in PRPH2 were included. Records were reviewed for age at symptom onset, visual acuity, full-field ERG, fundus colour photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), and SD-OCT.

Postoperative fluid therapy in enhanced recovery after surgery for pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Backgrounds/aims: Optimal intravenous fluid management during the perioperative period for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) within the framework of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is unclear. Studies have indicated that excessive total body salt and water can contribute to the development of oedema, leading to increased morbidity and extended hospital stays. This study aimed to assess the effects of an intravenous therapy regimen during postoperative day (POD) 0 to 2 in PD patients within ERAS.

Higher Overall Intakes Are the Defining Feature of Dietary Intakes in NAFLD and Compared to the General Population.

We aimed to compare the dietary intakes of Australian patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to general Australian population intake data and determine whether the intake of any nutrient or food group was able to predict the degree of steatosis. Dietary data from fifty adult patients with NAFLD were compared to intake data from the Australian Health Survey for energy, macronutrients, fat sub-types, alcohol, iron, folate, sugar, fibre, sodium and caffeine. Linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, physical activity and body mass index) were used to examine predictive relationships between hepatic steatosis (quantified via magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and dietary components.

Driving with retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: To establish the proportion of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) meeting the Australian fitness to drive (FTD) visual standards.

Methodology: A prospective consecutive case series of patients with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of RP. Data on age at symptom onset, current driving status, inheritance pattern, better eye visual acuity (BEVA), binocular Esterman visual field (BEVF) parameters, genotype and ability to meet the driving standards based on BEVA and BEVF were collected.

Human leucocyte antigen genotype association with the development of immune-related adverse events in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with single agent immunotherapy.

Introduction: Biomarkers that predict the risk of immune-mediated adverse events (irAEs) among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these treatments.

Methods: We carried out high resolution human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-I typing on 179 patients with NSCLC treated with anti-program death (PD)-1/program death ligand (PDL)-1. Toxicity data were collected and graded as per common terminology criteria for adverse event (CTCAE) v5.

Effects of Tai Chi on the quality of life, mental wellbeing, and physical function of adults with chronic diseases: Protocol for a single-blind, two-armed, randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL), mental wellbeing, and physical function are often diminished among people with chronic disease. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may be effective in improving chronic disease management. This protocol paper outlines a trial to determine the therapeutic effects of a Tai Chi program on chronic disease management.

Should Acupuncture-Related Therapies be Considered in Prediabetes Control? Results From a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

To assess the effects and safety of acupuncture-related therapy (AT) interventions on glycemic control for prediabetes, we systematically searched 14 databases and 5 clinical registry platforms from inception to December 2020. Randomized controlled trials involving AT interventions for managing prediabetes were included (PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020209809).

Light acupuncture and five-element music therapy for nurses' mental health and well-being during and post-COVID-19: protocol for a randomised cross-over feasibility study.

Introduction: Australian nurses have experienced higher levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic. This may have affected their long-term mental health and intention to stay in the profession resulting in a workforce shortage, which further impacts the health of the public. Management is urgently required to improve nurses' well-being.

Food Supply Impacts and Solutions Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Regional Australian Case Study.

This study aimed to explore how food supply chains were impacted by COVID-19 and identify how the region could be better prepared for future crises. An online survey was completed by 107 consumers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 food supply stakeholders working in food production, distribution, retail, hospitality, institutions (i.

How a 7-Week Food Literacy Cooking Program Affects Cooking Confidence and Mental Health: Findings of a Quasi-Experimental Controlled Intervention Trial.

Obesity and mental health disorders are rising simultaneously with shifting dietary behavior away from home cooking, toward typically nutrition-poor and energy-dense convenience meals. Food literacy strongly influences nutrition choices. Community-based cooking interventions target barriers to healthy eating and facilitate development of food literacy skills, thereby potentially increasing preparation of home-cooked meals and positively influencing health.

SIBLING CONCORDANCE IN SYMPTOM ONSET AND ATROPHY GROWTH RATES IN STARGARDT DISEASE USING ULTRA-WIDEFIELD FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE.

Purpose: To investigate concordance in symptom onset, area of dark autofluorescence (DAF), and growth rate (GR) between Stargardt disease siblings at an age-matched time point.

Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study of sibling pairs with identical biallelic ABCA4 variants, age at symptom onset, best-corrected visual acuity, atrophy area, and effective radius of DAF on ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence were recorded. Absolute intersibling differences for both eyes were compared with absolute interocular differences using the Mann-Whitney test.

A mixed-methods study to determine the impact of COVID-19 on food security, food access and supply in regional Australia for consumers and food supply stakeholders.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consumer purchasing patterns, and potentially, household food security. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of food insecurity and food supply issues, and perspectives of food supply stakeholders in regional Australia.

Methods: A mixed-methods consumer survey and in-depth interviews with food supply stakeholders were conducted in regional Australia, more specifically South West Western Australia between May and July 2020, immediately after the 1 wave of the pandemic.

Anti-retinal IgG antibodies in patients with early and advanced type 2 macular telangiectasia.

Type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia (MacTel-2) is a progressive adult-onset macular disease associated with bilateral perifoveal vascular changes, Muller cell degeneration and increased blood-retinal barrier permeability. The pathophysiological mechanisms of MacTel-2 remain unclear, however it was previously reported that anti-retinal antibodies in MacTel-2 patients are a significant feature of the disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the prevalence of anti-retinal antibodies in patients MacTel-2, healthy controls and patients with other retinal diseases.

Ileocolic anastomosis after right hemicolectomy: stapled end-to-side, stapled side-to-side, or handsewn?

Purpose: Anastomotic leak (AL) following ileocolic anastomosis is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Stapled end-to-side (ESA), stapled side-to-side (SSA), and handsewn anastomoses (HSA) are commonly performed techniques. There is however conflicting data on the superiority of one technique over the other.

Feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of a two-week low-level laser acupuncture therapy for shoulder and neck pain in office workers: Protocol for a pilot, single-blind, double-armed, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Shoulder and neck pain (SNP) is common in office workers and represents a serious public health problem given its detrimental impact on quality of life, physical functioning, personal finances, employers, and the health care system. Management with painkillers has adverse implications such as tolerance, addiction, and opioid abuse. Safe, sustainable, cost-effective, and evidence-based solutions are urgently needed.

Does a high dietary intake of resistant starch affect glycaemic control and alter the gut microbiome in women with gestational diabetes? A randomised control trial protocol.

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is prevalent with lasting health implications for the mother and offspring. Medical nutrition therapy is the foundation of GDM management yet achieving optimal glycaemic control often requires treatment with medications, like insulin. New dietary strategies to improve GDM management and outcomes are required.

Genotype-Specific Lesion Growth Rates in Stargardt Disease.

Reported growth rates (GR) of atrophic lesions in Stargardt disease (STGD1) vary widely. In the present study, we report the longitudinal natural history of patients with confirmed biallelic mutations from five genotype groups: c.6079C>T, c.

Predictors of nutrition care process knowledge and use among dietitians internationally.

Background: The nutrition care process (NCP) and its associated standardised terminology (NCPT, referred to collectively as NCP/T) forms a problem-solving framework fundamental to dietetic practice. Global implementation would assist in confirming outcomes from dietetic care, but implementation rates have varied between countries. We investigated which factors predict NCP/T knowledge and use among dietetic professionals in an international cohort, aiming to understand how implementation can be strengthened.

Digging for data: How sleep is losing out to roster design, sleep disorders, and lifestyle factors.

Shift workers employed at a remote mining operation may experience sleep loss, impaired alertness, and consequently negative health and safety outcomes. This study determined the sleep behaviors and prevalence of risk for sleep disorders among shift workers; and quantified alertness for a roster cycle. Sleep duration was significantly less following; night shift by 77 ± 7 min and day shift by 30 ± 7 min.

Association between Fruit and Vegetable Intakes and Mental Health in the Australian Diabetes Obesity and Lifestyle Cohort.

Increasing prevalence of mental health disorders within the Australian population is a serious public health issue. Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables (FV), dietary fibre (DF) and resistant starch (RS) is associated with better mental and physical health. Few longitudinal studies exist exploring the temporal relationship.