Australian community pharmacists' experiences of prescription drug monitoring programs: Comparisons between mandated and non-mandated states.

Background: Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) track patients' prescription records for high-risk medications and prompt real-time alerts to pharmacists when specific criteria are met. PDMPs are increasingly implemented by healthcare systems to attempt to mitigate harms associated with prescription opioids.

Objective: This study aims to explore and compare PDMP experiences among Australian community pharmacists from states where PDMP use is mandated and non-mandated.

The parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus lacks molybdenum cofactor synthesis, leading to sulphite sensitivity and lethality in vitro.

Sulphite oxidase has an essential role in detoxifying environmental and endogenously generated sulphite into sulphate and requires the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) to function. Until recently it was believed that the synthesis pathway for Moco was so important for survival that it was conserved in all multicellular animals. Here we report the use of comparative genomics to identify the absence of the first enzyme involved in Moco synthesis in Haemonchus contortus, a highly pathogenic and economically important helminth of livestock that, similar to many parasitic nematode species, has proved difficult to maintain in vitro.

Meta-analysis of routine abdominal drainage versus no drainage following distal pancreatectomy: Does the best available evidence overcome "HPB surgeon's paranoia"?

Aims: To evaluate comparative outcomes of routine abdominal drainage versus no drainage after distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL and Web of Science and bibliographic reference lists were conducted (last search: 20th April 2024). All comparative studies reporting outcomes of DP with routine abdominal drainage and no drainage were included and their risk of bias were assessed.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification detection assay for (Bloch, 1782) lungworm: DviLAMP.

The bovine lungworm, (Bloch, 1782), is highly pathogenic and disease outbreaks can be difficult to predict and manage. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is vital, but without a sensitive diagnostic test this remains challenging in clinical practice. High performance molecular detection tools are therefore required to improve the diagnosis of this parasite and promote the implementation of strategic control measures.

Correlates of stocking naloxone: a cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists.

Background: Provision of take-home naloxone (THN) and overdose education reduces opioid-related mortality. In Australia, from July 2022, all Australian community pharmacies were eligible to supply naloxone for free through the national THN Program.

Aim: This study aimed to identify naloxone stocking rates and correlates of stocking naloxone across Australian pharmacies.

Evolution of an epidemic: Understanding the opioid epidemic in the United States and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid-related mortality.

We conduct this research with a two-fold aim: providing a quantitative analysis of the opioid epidemic in the United States (U.S.), and exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid-related mortality.

Inefficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin treatments against Dictyocaulus viviparus in dairy calves.

Background: The bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus negatively impacts bovine health and leads to substantial economic losses. Lungworm infections can be difficult to manage due to the unpredictable and severe nature of clinical outbreaks. Despite the widespread use of macrocyclic lactones (MLs) in grazing cattle in the UK, there have been no confirmed reports of resistant lungworms to date, with only one case of anthelmintic-resistant (ML) lungworm confirmed worldwide.

Upper gastrointestinal training in the UK and Ireland: a Roux Group Study.

Introduction: Surgical training programmes in the United Kingdom and Ireland (UK&I) are in a state of flux. This study aims to report the contemporary opinions of trainee and consultant surgeons on the current upper gastrointestinal (UGI) training model in the UK&I.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed via national UGI societies.

Evaluation of the impact of PEPFAR transition on retention in care in South Africa's Western Cape Province.

Background: Research on the impact of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) transition in South Africa (SA) in 2012 found varying results in retention in care (RIC) of people living with HIV (PLWH).

Objectives: To investigate the factors that impacted RIC during the PEPFAR transition in Western Cape Province, SA, in 2012.

Methods: We used aggregate data from 61 facilities supported by four non-governmental organisations from 2007 to 2015.

A combined strategies intervention on the World Health Organization prescribing indicators: A quasi-randomised trial.

Background: Irrational medicine use is a global problem that may potentiate antimicrobial resistance.

Aim: This study aims to assess prescribing practices and the effect of a prescription audit and feedback coupled with small-group education intervention on prescribing indicators.

Setting: The study was conducted in public-sector healthcare facilities in Eswatini.

Functional validation of novel levamisole resistance marker S168T in Haemonchus contortus.

Recently, a S168T variant in the acetylcholine receptor subunit ACR-8 was associated with levamisole resistance in the parasitic helminth Haemonchus contortus. Here, we used the Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system and two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology to measure the functional impact of this S168T variant on the H. contortus levamisole-sensitive acetylcholine receptor, L-AChR-1.

Meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy versus no adjuvant chemotherapy for resected stage I pancreatic cancer.

Background: To evaluate comparative outcomes of pancreatic cancer resection with or without adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage I pancreatic cancer.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science and bibliographic reference lists were conducted. All comparative studies reporting outcomes of pancreatic cancer resection for stage I cancer with or without adjuvant chemotherapy were included, and their risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions tool.

Discarded livers tested by normothermic machine perfusion in the VITTAL trial: Secondary end points and 5-year outcomes.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) enables pretransplant assessment of high-risk donor livers. The VITTAL trial demonstrated that 71% of the currently discarded organs could be transplanted with 100% 90-day patient and graft survivals. Here, we report secondary end points and 5-year outcomes of this prospective, open-label, phase 2 adaptive single-arm study.

Real-time single-base specific detection of the Haemonchus contortus S168T variant associated with levamisole resistance using loop-primer endonuclease cleavage loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Haemonchus contortus is a parasitic haematophagous nematode that primarily affects small ruminants and causes significant economic loss to the global livestock industry. Treatment of haemonchosis typically relies on broad-spectrum anthelmintics, resistance to which is an important cause of treatment failure. Resistance to levamisole remains less widespread than to other major anthelmintic classes, prompting the need for more effective and accurate surveillance to maintain its efficacy.

Pancreatic resection for metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: A single institution experience and meta-analysis of survival outcomes.

Aims: To evaluate short-term clinical and long-term survival outcomes of pancreatic resection for pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of patients undergoing pancreatic resection for metastasis from RCC over a 12-years period was conducted. Furthermore, a systematic search of electronic data sources and bibliographic reference lists were conducted to identify studies investigating the same clinical question.

A single centre service evaluation of degenerative cervical and thoracic myelopathy.

Background: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and degenerative thoracic myelopathy (DTM) present with leg, bladder and bowel symptoms. If imaging confirms spinal cord compression both conditions are usually managed surgically. Surgical timing is important in patient management as it affects post-operative recovery and long-term outcomes.

Meta-analysis of fenestrating versus reconstituting subtotal cholecystectomy in the management of difficult gallbladder.

Aims: To evaluate comparative outcomes of fenestrating and reconstituting subtotal cholecystectomy (STC) in patients with difficult gallbladder.

Methods: A systematic search of electronic data sources and bibliographic reference lists were conducted. All comparative studies reporting outcomes of laparoscopic fenestrating and reconstituting STC were included and their risk of bias were assessed using ROBINS-I tool.

Meta-analysis of laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy: An insight into confounding by indication.

Aims: To evaluate comparative outcomes of laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (LDPS).

Methods: A systematic search of multiple electronic data sources and bibliographic reference lists were conducted. Comparative studies reporting outcomes of LSPDP and LDPS were considered followed by evaluation of the associated risk of bias according to ROBINS-I tool.

Changing environmental conditions have altered the feeding ecology of two keystone Arctic marine predators.

Environmental change in the Arctic has impacted the composition and structure of marine food webs. Tracking feeding ecology changes of culturally-valued Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and ringed seals (Pusa hispida) can provide an indication of the ecological significance of climate change in a vulnerable region. We characterized how changes in sea ice conditions, sea surface temperature (SST), and primary productivity affected the feeding ecology of these two keystone species over a 13- and 18-year period, respectively, in northern Labrador, Canada.

A mixed amplicon metabarcoding and sequencing approach for surveillance of drug resistance to levamisole and benzimidazole in Haemonchus spp.

Anthelmintic-resistant parasitic nematodes present a significant threat to sustainable livestock production worldwide. The ability to detect the emergence of anthelmintic resistance at an early stage, and therefore determine which drugs remain most effective, is crucial for minimising production losses. Despite many years of research into the molecular basis of anthelmintic resistance, no molecular-based tools are commercially available for the diagnosis of resistance as it emerges in field settings.

Preoperative C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio and Its Ability to Predict Outcomes of Pancreatic Cancer Resection: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of the c-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) in predicting outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatic cancer resection.

Methods: A systematic search of electronic information sources and bibliographic reference lists was conducted. Survival outcomes and perioperative morbidity were the evaluated outcome parameters.

Development of a neural network model to predict the presence of fentanyl in community drug samples.

Introduction: Increasingly, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is being used as a harm reduction tool to provide people who use drugs real-time information about the contents of their substances. However, FTIR spectroscopy has been shown to have a high detection limit for fentanyl and interpretation of results by a technician can be subjective. This poses concern, given that some synthetic opioids can produce serious toxicity at sub-detectable levels.

Willingness to pay brand premiums for generic medicines in Kenya: A bidding game experiment.

Background: Recent growth in the market share of higher priced branded generic medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has raised concerns around affordability and access. We examined consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for branded versus unbranded generic non-communicable disease (NCD) medicines in Kenya.

Methods: We randomly assigned NCD patients to receive a hypothetical offer for either a Novartis Access-branded medicine or for an unbranded generic equivalent.