Successful use of generic direct acting antiviral medications to treat hepatitis C-a New Zealand-wide study.

Aims: Direct acting antiviral (DAA) hepatitis C (HCV) medications are funded in New Zealand since 2016 for some and since 2019 for all genotypes. The purpose of this study was to review New Zealand-wide data of the use of generic HCV DAA medications imported through Tasmanian FixHepC Buyer's Club and the associated side effect profiles.

Methods: This is a retrospective data audit on the use of generic DAAs to treat HCV; outcomes from consecutive hepatitis C patients (naïve and pre-treated) treated with generic DAAs (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, ribavirin) collected from all known sites that used Buyer's club medications in eight New Zealand district health board regions were summarised.

A liver health hui: hepatitis C knowledge and associated risk factors in New Zealand gang members and their families.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B virus (HBV) infections are highly prevalent, with a high percentage of undiagnosed cases. Knowledge of HCV and its modes of transmission are essential for disease prevention and management. We studied a high-risk New Zealand gang population on viral hepatitis prevalence, their level of knowledge and the liver health risk factors in a community setting.

Individual and environmental correlates of school-based recess engagement.

The purpose of this study was to examine individual variables associated with children's levels of recess physical activity (PA), as well as environmental influences that influence children's engagement during recess. Participants ( = 146) were 4-6th grade students across seven schools. PA data were collected using the Fitbit Flex.

Prevalence and knowledge of hepatitis C in a middle-aged population, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in those most at risk of advanced liver disease and to identify gaps in knowledge of HCV.

Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected residents aged 40-59 to assess the extent of their general knowledge about HCV. The questionnaire assessed demographics, the extent of general knowledge about viral hepatitis, potential risks for infection and the prevalence of risk factors associated with increased progression of liver fibrosis.

Use of pethidine for percutaneous liver biopsy - a randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind study.

Background: Percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of liver diseases. A pilot trial has shown pethidine may reduce anxiety and the need for post-procedural pain relief. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of pre-procedural pethidine.

Maternal Smoking Dysregulates Protein Expression in Second Trimester Human Fetal Livers in a Sex-Specific Manner.

Context: Maternal smoking during pregnancy has adverse effects on the offspring (eg, increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome and infertility), which may involve alterations in fetal liver function.

Objective: Our aim was to analyze, for the first time, the human fetal liver proteome to identify pathways affected by maternal smoking.

Design: Fetal liver proteins extracted from elective second trimester pregnancy terminations (12-16 weeks of gestation) were divided in four balanced groups based on sex and maternal smoking.

Dienogest for the treatment of deep endometriosis: case report and literature review.

A 38-year-old woman was found to have a deep 3.3-cm endometriotic nodule of the bladder, confirmed by cystoscopic resection and imaging. Ultrasound also confirmed a 2.

Routine vs. expert-guided transvaginal ultrasound in the diagnosis of endometriosis: a retrospective review.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity of routine trans vaginal ultrasound (TVUS) compared to expert-guided transvaginal ultrasound (ETVUS) for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review performed at a Canadian tertiary center specializing in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. All cases with surgically confirmed endometriosis and an ETVUS completed at a single center were included for review and compared to routine TVUS performed for the same indication.

Home Availability and the Impact of Weekly Stressful Events Are Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Intake among African American and Hispanic/Latina Women.

Background. Mediating and moderating variables may interfere with the association between neighborhood availability of grocery stores (NAG) and supermarkets (NAS) and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Objective.

Telehome monitoring in patients with cardiac disease who are at high risk of readmission.

Patients with chronic conditions are heavy users of the health care system. There are opportunities for significant savings and improvements to patient care if patients can be maintained in their homes. A randomized control trial tested the impact of 3 months of telehome monitoring on hospital readmission, quality of life, and functional status in patients with heart failure or angina.

Prevalence and clinical implications of anemia in congestive heart failure patients followed at a specialized heart function clinic.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and to investigate its association with comorbidities and its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. The association of predefined anemia, as well as the correlation of serum hemoglobin level as a continuous variable, with outcomes of emergency department visits, hospitalization, and mortality was investigated. There were fewer anemic patients in New York Heart Association classes I and II than in classes III and IV.

BNP-guided therapy not better than expert's clinical assessment for beta-blocker titration in patients with heart failure.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone used as a noninvasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure. Beta blockers have beneficial effects in patients with heart failure as well as a direct effect on BNP plasma levels. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of a BNP-guided approach vs.

Evaluation of the program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in Vanuatu following two years of mass drug administration implementation: results and methodologic approach.

This report presents the results of the Vanuatu mid-term evaluation of the lymphatic filariasis elimination program being implemented countrywide. Vanuatu is one of the first countries to initiate this program as part of the Global Program for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, based on a five-year annual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole and diethylcarbamazine and complemented in Vanuatu by extensive coverage with bed nets. This paper reports results of 561 persons tested at eight sentinel sites following two years of MDA.

Effect of Orlistat in obese patients with heart failure: a pilot study.

Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization. Obesity is increasingly common and is a major public health problem. The aim of this study is to assess whether obese patients with heart failure can benefit from losing weight via an orlistat-assisted diet.

Brain natriuretic peptide predicts successful cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation and maintenance of sinus rhythm.

Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is released from the heart by hemodynamically induced muscle stretch. Patients with atrial fibrillation have higher levels of BNP than those in sinus rhythm.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of BNP as a predictor of successful cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and subsequent maintenance of sinus rhythm.

Persistent orthopnea and the prognosis of patients in the heart failure clinic.

Heart failure (HF) is a public health problem with ever-growing costs. Signs such as jugular venous pressure and third heart sound have been associated with disease prognosis. Symptoms of heart failure are frequently subjective, and their real value is often overlooked.

Effect of bisoprolol on right ventricular function and brain natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure.

Beta-blocker use improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure. A similar effect of b blockers on right ventricular function has been proposed, although the effect of bisoprolol, a highly selective b-1 blocker, on right ventricular function has not been assessed. This study investigated the short-term effect of bisoprolol on right ventricular function in chronic heart failure patients.