Patient lived experiences of functioning and disability following lumbar discectomy: a secondary analysis of qualitative data.

Background: Knowledge of patient lived experiences of functioning and disability is limited. This study aims to address the gap in the literature by exploring patient lived experiences of functioning and disability following lumbar discectomy.

Method: A secondary analysis, reported in line with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research, was conducted of qualitative data exploring patient journeys following lumbar discectomy surgery (DiscJourn).

Endometriosis: A review of recent evidence and guidelines.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition defined as endometrial-like tissue proliferating outside the uterus. It is a common yet frequently under-recognised condition affecting one in nine Australian women.

Objective: This paper aims to provide a summary of the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis-associated pain and infertility from the most recent evidence-based guidelines on endometriosis by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

The Long Goodbye: Finally Moving on from the Relative Potency Approach to a Mixtures Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

For the past several decades, a relative potency approach has been used to estimate the human health risks from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. Risk estimates are derived using potency equivalence factors (PEFs; also called relative potency factors [RPFs]), based on the ratio of selected PAHs to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), expressed qualitatively by orders of magnitude. To quantify PEFs for 18 selected carcinogenic PAHs, a systematic approach with a priori and dose response criteria was developed, building on draft work by the US EPA in 2010 and its review by US EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) in 2011.

Patient journey following lumbar discectomy surgery: protocol for a single-centre qualitative analysis of the patient rehabilitation experience (DiscJourn).

Introduction: Lumbar discectomy is a widely used surgical procedure internationally with the majority of patients experiencing significant benefit. However, approximately 20% of patients report suboptimal functional recovery and quality of life. The impact and meaning of the surgical experience from the patients' perspective are not fully understood.

Patient and physiotherapist perceptions of rehabilitation following primary lumbar discectomy: a qualitative focus group study embedded within an external pilot and feasibility trial.

Objective: To evaluate patients' and physiotherapists' perceptions, preferences and feelings about rehabilitation following lumbar discectomy surgery.

Design: A qualitative focus group study, informed from the theoretical perspective of phenomenology, of patients' and physiotherapists' experiences of rehabilitation following lumbar discectomy was conducted. The focus groups were used to explore patients' and physiotherapists' perceptions and their preferences and feelings about different approaches to rehabilitation.

First stage of labour management practices: A survey of Australian obstetric providers.

Aims: To report on the opinions and reported practices of Australian obstetricians and general practice (GP) obstetricians, in the definition and management of spontaneous first stage of labour, in low-risk nulliparous women.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional survey sent electronically to all Australian Specialist obstetricians (FRANZCOG) and Diplomates. Respondents answered questions regarding care of nulliparous women in spontaneous labour at term across three domains: (i) practitioners' characteristics; (ii) current practice; (iii) opinion regarding joint statement by ACOG/SMFM (Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine) 'Safe prevention of primary caesarean section'.

Physiotherapy Post Lumbar Discectomy: Prospective Feasibility and Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate: acceptability and feasibility of trial procedures; distribution of scores on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ, planned primary outcome); and efficient working of trial components.

Design And Setting: A feasibility and external pilot randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN33808269, assigned 10/12/2012) was conducted across 2 UK secondary care outpatient physiotherapy departments associated with regional spinal surgery centres.

Participants: Consecutive consenting patients aged >18 years; post primary, single level, lumbar discectomy.

Evaluation of current surgeon practice for patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery in the United Kingdom.

Aim: To ascertain current surgeon practice in the United Kingdom National Health Service for the management of patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Methods: Descriptive survey methodology utilised an online questionnaire administered through SurveyMonkey. Eligible participants were all surgeons currently carrying out lumbar spinal fusion surgery in the National Health Service.

Genetic adaptation to levels of dietary selenium in recent human history.

As humans migrated around the world, they came to inhabit environments that differ widely in the soil levels of certain micronutrients, including selenium (Se). Coupled with cultural variation in dietary practices, these migrations have led to a wide range of Se intake levels in populations around the world. Both excess and deficiency of Se in the diet can have adverse health consequences in humans, with severe Se deficiency resulting in diseases of the bone and heart.

Lessons learnt in the management of primary invasive penile cancer in an Australian tertiary referral centre: clinical outcomes with a minimum 48 months follow-up study.

Purpose: To report on lessons learnt in the management of primary invasive penile cancer in a major tertiary hospital in Australia.

Materials And Methods: Medical records for all patients who underwent surgery for primary invasive penile cancer between January 2000 and January 2011 were obtained. Patient demographics, clinical status of inguinal node, cancer stage and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Patterns of coding variation in the complete exomes of three Neandertals.

We present the DNA sequence of 17,367 protein-coding genes in two Neandertals from Spain and Croatia and analyze them together with the genome sequence recently determined from a Neandertal from southern Siberia. Comparisons with present-day humans from Africa, Europe, and Asia reveal that genetic diversity among Neandertals was remarkably low, and that they carried a higher proportion of amino acid-changing (nonsynonymous) alleles inferred to alter protein structure or function than present-day humans. Thus, Neandertals across Eurasia had a smaller long-term effective population than present-day humans.

SelenoDB 2.0: annotation of selenoprotein genes in animals and their genetic diversity in humans.

SelenoDB (http://www.selenodb.org) aims to provide high-quality annotations of selenoprotein genes, proteins and SECIS elements.

Structure and reactivity of bicyclic methylene aziridines prepared by intramolecular aziridination of allenes.

Unprecedented bicyclic methylene aziridines are prepared by rhodium(II)-catalyzed allene aziridination of buta-2,3-dienyl carbamates. Aspects of their NMR and X-ray data are described and a preliminary reactivity profile is given, including overall S(N)V-mode ring-opening with organometallic reagents.

A survey of post-operative management for patients following first time lumbar discectomy.

This study aimed to identify current NHS physiotherapy practice following first time lumbar discectomy in the United Kingdom (UK) in order to inform future research priorities and design. Descriptive survey methodology was utilised employing a postal questionnaire. A total population sample was identified and questionnaires were posted to 87 NHS physiotherapy departments throughout the UK.

Ambient air concentrations of pesticides used in potato cultivation in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Ambient air concentrations of nine selected pesticides used in potato cultivation were investigated on Prince Edward Island by collecting samples during the summer of 1998 at three potato farm sites and one non-agricultural site. In 1999, air samples were collected at a single potato farm site during local application of pesticides. The fungicide chlorothalonil was the only pesticide detected in every sample in both years, even in samples with a duration as little as 5 h.

Using compensations to assess physical performance for ambulatory outpatients.

Objective: To construct a physical performance scale for community-dwelling ambulatory outpatients that is linear, includes high functioning tasks, and uses common compensations to assess difficulty levels.

Design: Calibrated subject performances on 19 tasks were rated by an examiner, timed, and had compensations recorded.

Setting: Ambulatory outpatient physical therapy (PT) department of a tertiary care center.

Factors affecting the duration effect in pitch perception for unresolved complex tones.

Previous research has shown that fundamental frequency (F0) discrimination thresholds for complex tones containing unresolved harmonics decrease as the duration of the tone increases [White and Plack, J. Acoust. Soc.

The use of Rasch measurement to improve the Oswestry classification scheme.

Objectives: To use Rasch measurement to assess and modify the original classification categories of the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (Oswestry), to examine the hypothesis that the items from the Oswestry form a unidimensional construct and a hierarchical representation of low back pain (LBP) disability, and to compare ordinal Likert resultant scores to interval Rasch scaled scores with disability categories serving as a framework.

Design: Rasch analysis model. Existing Oswestry admission data generated by FOTO were analyzed.

Intensive rehabilitation programmes for deafened men and women: an evaluation study.

In keeping with the general move towards evidence-based medicine that has culminated in the creation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and other bodies assessing the effectiveness of resources, the LINK Centre for Deafened People undertook a study to evaluate the immediate and longer-term impact of attending the Centre's rehabilitation programme. It aimed to document the clinical outcomes of this model of rehabilitation and thereby to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention so that deafened people and professionals working in this field are aware in what dimensions benefits are likely to occur. Results from a questionnaire survey of attendees demonstrated highly significant short-term improvements in psychological state, clinical depression, general health, quality of life, communication effectiveness and social functioning immediately following the programme.