A multispectral microscope for in vivo oximetry of rat dorsal spinal cord vasculature.

Quantification of blood oxygen saturation (SO) in vivo is essential for understanding the pathogenesis of diseases in which hypoxia is thought to play a role, including inflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe a low-cost multispectral microscope and oximetry technique for calibration-free absolute oximetry of surgically exposed blood vessels in vivo. We imaged the vasculature of the dorsal spinal cord in healthy rats, and varied inspired oxygen (FiO) in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the imaging system to changes in SO.

Guidelines for the selection, use, and maintenance of LED light-curing units - Part II.

This paper is the second in a two-part series on the topic of LED light-curing units (LCUs). This part discusses LCU selection, cross infection and decontamination, maintenance, the blue-light hazard, and some possible future developments for LCUs. The article focusses on the practical aspects of the subject from the clinician's perspective.

Profile of 1 year of fieldwork experiences for undergraduate occupational therapy students from a large regional Australian university.

Objective Fieldwork experience is a significant component of many health professional education programs and affects future practice for graduates. The present study used self-reported student data to produce a profile of undergraduate student placement experiences. Methods Cross-sectional surveys exploring placement location, setting and client types, models of supervision, interventions and financial costs were completed by students following each placement.

Guidelines for the selection, use, and maintenance of LED light-curing units - Part 1.

Light curing is a critical step in the restorative process when using light-activated resin-based composites, but it is frequently not given the attention it deserves. The selection of a reliable light curing unit (LCU) that meets the practitioner's needs is an important equipment purchase. Using an inappropriate LCU may seriously compromise the quality of care without the practitioner realising their mistake until years later.

Occupational Therapy Predischarge Home Visits in Acute Hospital Care: A Randomized Trial.

Objectives: To determine whether an enhanced occupational therapy discharge planning intervention that involved pre- and postdischarge home visits, goal setting, and follow-up (the HOME program) would be superior to a usual care intervention in which an occupational therapy in-hospital consultation for planning and supporting discharge to home is provided to individuals receiving acute care.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Acute and medical wards.

The effect of dalteparin on thromboelastography in pregnancy: an in vitro study.

Background: Dalteparin is often used for prophylaxis or treatment of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy, yet there is no laboratory test to accurately reflect its clinical activity. Thromboelastography is a point-of-care monitor of whole blood coagulation. The aim of this study was to determine if serial doses of dalteparin added in vitro to whole blood samples from term, pregnant women are detectable as changes in thromboelastography parameters.

Ongoing increase in incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Newcastle, Australia: A 50-year study.

Background: Since 1959, multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence has been estimated for the east coast Australian city of Newcastle. Previous surveys, conducted in 1988 and 2003, have described an increase in the prevalence and incidence of MS.

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated whether these trends continue and provide 50 years of MS epidemiological follow-up for this southern hemisphere city.

Physiotherapists' perceptions of patient adherence to prescribed self-management strategies: a cross-sectional survey of Australian physiotherapists.

Purpose: Physiotherapists often prescribe self-management strategies for their patients. However, the effectiveness of these strategies in improving patient outcome is related to the rate of patient adherence. The aims of this study were to explore physiotherapists' views on the importance and perceived rates of patient adherence to physiotherapist prescribed self-management strategies; the perceived importance of methods physiotherapists can employ to aid patient adherence and the barriers to employing these methods.

Pilot study to investigate the feasibility of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) to identify older Malaysian people at risk of falls.

Objective: The relationship between home hazards and falls in older Malaysian people is not yet fully understood. No tools to evaluate the Malaysian home environment currently exist. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) to identify hazards in Malaysian homes, to evaluate the feasibility of using the HOME FAST in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study and to gather preliminary data about the experience of falls among a small sample of Malaysian older people.

A tiered multidisciplinary approach to the psychosocial care of adult cancer patients integrated into routine care: the PROMPT study (a cluster-randomised controlled trial).

Purpose: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief psychosocial intervention for depressed cancer patients, delivered by trained front-line health professionals in routine clinical care.

Methods: Nine hundred two patients were assessed across four treatment centres which were allocated in random order from control epoch to intervention epoch. Eligible patients had Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores of 8 or greater.

Evaluation of the clinical utility of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST).

Purpose: The HOME FAST was developed and trialled in Australia as a screening tool designed to be used by any health professional to identify older people at increased risk of falls and to facilitate referral for more detailed assessment and intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of the HOME FAST from the perspective of users.

Method: A mixed-methods approach using survey data (n = 32), focus group data (n = 46) and interview data (n = 5) from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, community nurses and other health professionals working in hospitals, community services and private practice, located in the UK, Canada and Australia.

The perceptions of Australian oncologists about cognitive changes in cancer survivors.

Objective: Cancer-related cognitive changes (CRCC) can have a profound impact on a cancer survivor's quality of life. However, cancer survivors frequently report receiving limited information about their experience of CRCC from their oncology specialists. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of oncology specialists regarding CRCC and the potential for their views to influence their decisions about patient care.

In vivo oximetry of human bulbar conjunctival and episcleral microvasculature using snapshot multispectral imaging.

Multispectral imaging (MSI) is a well-established technique for non-invasive oximetry of retinal blood vessels, which has contributed to the understanding of a variety of retinal conditions, including glaucoma, diabetes, vessel occlusion, and retinal auto-regulation. We report the first study to use snapshot multi-spectral imaging (SMSI) for oximetry of the bulbar conjunctival and episcleral microvasculature in the anterior segment of the eye. We report the oxygen dynamics of the bulbar conjunctival and episcleral microvasculature at normoxia and at acute mild hypoxia conditions.

Experiences of international students from Asian backgrounds studying occupational therapy in Australia.

Background/aim: International students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds experience personal and academic challenges when studying health sciences in Australia. Given recent discussions about cultural specificity in occupational therapy and its status as an emerging profession in most Asian countries, this study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of international students from Asian backgrounds studying occupational therapy in Australia.

Method: A phenomenological approach was used to understand the experiences of participants.

Technology for dementia: attitudes and practices of occupational therapists in providing assistive technology for way finding.

Purpose: One of the many difficulties a person with dementia can experience is difficulty with way finding and subsequently getting lost in the community. Prescriptions of assistive technology are a key role for occupational therapists. This study aimed to describe the attitudes and practices of occupational therapists in recommending and using assistive technology for persons with dementia who have difficulties with way finding in the community.

Urban Australian general practitioners' perceptions of falls risk screening, falls risk assessment, and referral practices for falls prevention: an exploratory cross-sectional survey study.

Objective The study aimed to explore Australian general practitioners' (GPs) perceptions of falls risk screening, assessment and their referral practices with older people living in the community, and to identify any barriers or facilitators to implementing evidence-based falls prevention practice. Methods Hardcopy surveys and a link to an online survey were distributed to 508 GPs working at one Medicare Local (now part of a Primary Care Network) located in Sydney, Australia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and key themes were identified from open text responses.

Graduate perspectives of fieldwork placements in developing countries: Contributions to occupational therapy practice.

Background/aim: Fieldwork placements are central to occupational therapy programmes. A variety of placements assists occupational therapy students by increasing their exposure to a range of experiences. Placements in developing countries extend and offer alternative learning opportunities and can enable unique personal and professional competencies.

A Phase II Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the Novel Oral SHIP1 Activator AQX-1125 in Subjects with Moderate to Severe Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Purpose: In this 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter trial we assessed the effect of the novel SHIP1 (SH2-containing inositol-5'-phosphatase 1) activator AQX-1125 on bladder pain and urinary symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Materials And Methods: Women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and a mean pain score of 5 or greater on an 11-point scale despite treatment were randomized to AQX-1125 or placebo orally once daily for 6 weeks. Average and maximum pain scores (daily) and urinary frequency (before visits) were recorded by e-diary and at clinic visits.

Methylglyoxal, A Metabolite Increased in Diabetes is Associated with Insulin Resistance, Vascular Dysfunction and Neuropathies.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a pandemic metabolic disease characterized by a chronically elevated blood glucose concentration (hyperglycemia) due to insulin dysfunction. Approximately 50% of diabetics show diabetes complications by the time they are diagnosed. Vascular dysfunction, nephropathy and neuropathic pain are common diabetes complications.

Minimally Invasive Long-Term Management of Direct Restorations: the '5 Rs'.

The assessment and operative long-term management of direct restorations is a complex and controversial subject in conservative dentistry. Employing a minimally invasive (MI) approach helps preserve natural tooth structure and maintain endodontic health for as long as possible during the restorative cycle. This paper discusses how minimally invasive techniques may be applied practically to reviewing, resealing, refurbishing, repairing or replacing deteriorating/failed direct coronal restorations (the'5 Rs') and provides an update of contemporary MI clinical procedures.

A New NO-Releasing Nanoformulation for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic and progressive disease which continues to carry an unacceptably high mortality and morbidity. The nitric oxide (NO) pathway has been implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of the disease. Its extremely short half-life and systemic effects have hampered the clinical use of NO in PAH.

Assessment of the usability and impact of the Idaho Health Data Exchange (IHDE).

Eighty four health care professionals participated in an online survey assessing the usability, and clinical and administrative impact of the Idaho Health Data Exchange's (IHDE) Virtual Health Record (VHR). The IHDE VHR allows authorized users to use a secure web interface to view lab, radiology and transcribed reports from multiple facilities and view medical histories on patients in the data exchange. Results indicate the usability of the IHDE VHR was almost universally positively rated with the Software Usability Measurement Inventory (SUMI) utilized as the assessment method.

Interventions to aid patient adherence to physiotherapist prescribed self-management strategies: a systematic review.

Background: Physiotherapist prescribed self-management strategies are an important adjunct to 'hands on' treatment. However, treatment outcomes are likely to be related to whether patients adhere to the prescribed strategy. Therefore, physiotherapists should be aware of adherence aiding interventions designed to maximise patient outcomes underpinned by quality research studies.

Partner status and mental and physical health of independently living men aged 70 years and older.

Aim: To describe and compare the mental health and physical functioning of community-dwelling men aged 70 years and over who live alone, and those who live with their partner/spouse.

Method: Data were obtained from the baseline survey of the New South Wales 45 and Up Study. Mental health was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and physical health was measured using the Medical Outcome Short Form 36 physical functioning scale.