An International Factorial Vignette-Based Survey of Intubation Decisions in Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure.

Objectives: Intubation is a common procedure in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF), with minimal evidence to guide decision-making. We conducted a survey of when to intubate patients with AHRF to measure the influence of clinical variables on intubation decision-making and quantify variability.

Design: Factorial vignette-based survey asking "Would you recommend intubation?" Respondents selected an ordinal recommendation from a 5-point scale ranging from "Definite no" to "Definite yes" for up to ten randomly allocated vignettes.

Long COVID demographic and secondary care referral characteristics in primary care: analysis of anonymised primary care data from a multiethnic, deprived urban area in the UK.

Once the nature and number of patients with Long COVID was more fully understood, UK secondary care developed services to investigate, treat and support these patients. We aimed to identify evidence for demographic health inequalities based on general practitioner (GP) Long COVID referrals to available secondary care services. Despite Long COVID demographics broadly reflecting the multiethnic and socially disadvantaged profile of the study population, we found that secondary care referral was mainly focussed on older age patients and those born in the UK with co-morbid anxiety; although co-morbid diabetes was associated with reduced referrals.

Obstructing colorectal cancer: a population-based review of colonic stenting in Queensland, Australia.

Purpose: Stenting is a useful treatment option for malignant colonic obstruction, but its role remains unclear. This study was designed to establish how stents have been used in Queensland, Australia, and to review outcomes.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Queensland from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2014, who underwent colonic stent insertion were reviewed.

Effects of improved amino acid balance diet on lysine mammary utilization, whole body protein turnover and muscle protein breakdown on lactating sows.

Background: The study objective was to test the hypothesis that low crude protein (CP) diet with crystalline amino acids (CAA) supplementation improves Lys utilization efficiency for milk production and reduces protein turnover and muscle protein breakdown. Eighteen lactating multiparous Yorkshire sows were allotted to 1 of 2 isocaloric diets (10.80 MJ/kg net energy): control (CON; 19.

Association between Patient Race and Ethnicity and Use of Invasive Ventilation in the United States.

Outcomes for people with respiratory failure in the United States vary by patient race and ethnicity. Invasive ventilation is an important treatment initiated based on expert opinion. It is unknown whether the use of invasive ventilation varies by patient race and ethnicity.

Opportunities and Challenges Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment Access Experiences Among People in Methadone and Buprenorphine Treatment During COVID-19, Arizona, 2021.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to characterize hepatitis C virus screening and treatment access experiences among people in treatment for opioid use disorder in Arizona during COVID-19.

Methods: Arizonans receiving treatment for opioid use disorder from methadone clinics and buprenorphine providers during COVID-19 were interviewed about hepatitis C virus testing, curative treatment, and knowledge about screening recommendations. Interviews were conducted with 121 people from August 4, 2021 to October 10, 2021.

Survival outcomes of head and neck melanoma patients in Queensland, Australia from 2009 to 2018.

Background/objectives: To compare survival outcomes for patients with cutaneous invasive head and neck melanoma (HNM) with those of patients with melanoma on other anatomical sites.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study using patient data extracted from the Cancer Alliance Queensland's Oncology Analysis System (OASYS) over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2018. Melanoma-specific survival was compared between patients with HNM and non-HNM.

Appraisal of Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Biomarkers, and Ocular Imaging in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide despite the use of available cardiovascular disease risk prediction tools. Identification of high-risk individuals via risk stratification and screening at sub-clinical stages, which may be offered by ocular screening, is important to prevent major adverse cardiac events. Retinal microvasculature has been widely researched for potential application in both diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk prediction.

Maternal Psychosocial Stress Is Associated with Reduced Diversity in the Early Infant Gut Microbiome.

The developing infant gut microbiome is highly sensitive to environmental exposures, enabling its evolution into an organ that supports the immune system, confers protection from infection, and facilitates optimal gut and central nervous system function. In this study, we focus on the impact of maternal psychosocial stress on the infant gut microbiome. Forty-seven mother-infant dyads were recruited at the HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Assessment of Indices of Conjunctival Microvascular Function in Patients With and Without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Atherosclerotic heart disease often remains asymptomatic until presentation with a major adverse cardiovascular event. Primary preventive therapies improve outcomes, but conventional screening often misattributes risk. Vascular imaging can be utilised to detect atherosclerosis, but often involves ionising radiation.

Developing an Australian Melanoma Clinical Outcomes Registry (MelCOR): a protocol paper.

Introduction: Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world with variable care provided by a diverse range of clinicians. Clinical quality registries aim to identify these variations in care and provide anonymised, benchmarked feedback to clinicians and institutions to improve patient outcomes. The Australian Melanoma Clinical Outcomes Registry (MelCOR) aims to collect population-wide, clinical-level data for the early management of cutaneous melanoma and provide anonymised feedback to healthcare providers.

Assessment of hemodynamic indices of conjunctival microvascular function in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Objective: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a cause of ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA). It is notoriously underdiagnosed due to the need for invasive microvascular function testing. We hypothesized that systemic microvascular dysfunction could be demonstrated non-invasively in the microcirculation of the bulbar conjunctiva in patients with CMD.

Development of a key performance indicator for breast cancer in Queensland, Australia.

Purpose: Using population-based data for women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer, our aim was to examine the impact of time to treatment completion on survival and to identify factors associated with treatment delay.

Methods: This retrospective study used clinical and treatment data from the Queensland Oncology Repository. Time from diagnosis to completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy identified a cut-off of 37 weeks as the optimal threshold for completing treatment.

Polymorphic Molecular Signatures in Variable Regions of the DBL3x Domain Are Associated with Virulence in Placental Malaria.

The protein VAR2CSA allows infected erythrocytes to accumulate within the placenta, inducing pathology and poor birth outcomes. Multiple exposures to placental malaria (PM) induce partial immunity against VAR2CSA, making it a promising vaccine candidate. However, the extent to which VAR2CSA genetic diversity contributes to immune evasion and virulence remains poorly understood.

Development and implementation of a population-based breast cancer quality index in Queensland, Australia.

Background: While quality indicators (QI) are relatively commonplace, QIs focusing on breast cancer treatment and outcomes have not been previously developed in Australia. We describe the development and implementation of the Queensland Breast Cancer Quality Index (BCQI) and report on trends in performance indicators over time.

Methods: Development of the BCQI was overseen by a clinician-led quality assurance committee covering several clinical disciplines.

A novel algorithm for cardiovascular screening using conjunctival microcirculatory parameters and blood biomarkers.

Microvascular haemodynamic alterations are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The conjunctival microcirculation can easily be assessed non-invasively. However, the microcirculation of the conjunctiva has not been previously explored in clinical algorithms aimed at identifying patients with CAD.

IgG antibody production and persistence to 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A Northern Ireland observational study.

Background: This study evaluates spike protein IgG antibody response following Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination using the AbC-19™ lateral flow device.

Methods: Plasma samples were collected from n = 111 individuals from Northern Ireland. The majority were >50 years old and/or clinically vulnerable.

A novel murine model of post-implantation malaria-induced preterm birth.

Despite major advances made in malaria treatment and control over recent decades, the development of new models for studying disease pathogenesis remains a vital part of malaria research efforts. The study of malaria infection during pregnancy is particularly reliant on mouse models, as a means of circumventing many challenges and costs associated with pregnancy studies in endemic human populations. Here, we introduce a novel murine model that will further our understanding of how malaria infection affects pregnancy outcome.

Trends in surgery and adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: a population-based study in Queensland, Australia.

Purpose: Our aim was to describe variations in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer and to examine factors associated with disease-specific survival (DSS).

Methods: The study used linked data for 24,190 women with a T1 (≤ 20 mm) breast cancer who underwent surgery from 2005 to 2019. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model predictors of receiving breast-conserving surgery (BCS) compared to mastectomy and a multinomial model was used to examine factors associated with type(s) of treatment received.

Symptom experiences of critically-ill hematologic malignancy patients: A scoping review.

Context: Critically-ill patients with hematologic malignancies are increasingly admitted to intensive care units globally. Unrelieved symptoms during intensive care treatment may contribute to poor outcomes.

Objective: To better understand the symptom experience(s) for critically-ill patients with hematologic malignancies.

Hemozoin: a Complex Molecule with Complex Activities.

Purpose Of Review: Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that reside in host red blood cells and use hemoglobin as a nutrient source. Heme released by hemoglobin catabolism is modified by the parasite to produce hemozoin (HZ), which has toxic effects on the host. Experimentation aiming to elucidate how HZ contributes to malaria pathogenesis has utilized different preparations of this molecule, complicating interpretation and comparison of findings.

User experience of home-based AbC-19 SARS-CoV-2 antibody rapid lateral flow immunoassay test.

The urgent need to scale up testing capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the rapid development of point-of-care diagnostic tools such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) for large-scale community-based rapid testing. However, studies of how the general public perform when using LFIA tests in different environmental settings are scarce. This user experience (UX) study of 264 participants in Northern Ireland aimed to gather a better understanding of how self-administered LFIA tests were performed by the general public at home.