A global, cross cultural study examining the relationship between employee health risk status and work performance metrics.

Background: Health risk assessments (HRA) are used by many organisations as a basis for developing relevant and targeted employee health and well-being interventions. However, many HRA's have a western-centric focus and therefore it is unclear whether the results can be directly extrapolated to those from non-western countries. More information regarding the differences in the associations between country status and health risks is needed along with a more global perspective of employee health risk factors and well-being overall.

Characterisation of the circulating acellular proteome of healthy sheep using LC-MS/MS-based proteomics analysis of serum.

Background: Unlike humans, there is currently no publicly available reference mass spectrometry-based circulating acellular proteome data for sheep, limiting the analysis and interpretation of a range of physiological changes and disease states. The objective of this study was to develop a robust and comprehensive method to characterise the circulating acellular proteome in ovine serum.

Methods: Serum samples from healthy sheep were subjected to shotgun proteomic analysis using nano liquid chromatography nano electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-nanoESI-MS/MS) on a quadrupole time-of-flight instrument (TripleTOF® 5600+, SCIEX).

Nomenclatural changes in the Australasian gall-inducing genus Rübsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae).

Apiomorpha Rübsaamen, 1894 was erected as a replacement name for Brachyscelis Schrader, 1863 that was preoccupied in the Coleoptera (Chrysomelidae: Brachyscelis Germar, 1834). Apiomorpha is a genus of eriococcid scale insects that induce galls on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in Australia and New Guinea (Szent-Ivany & Womersley 1962; Gullan 1984; Gullan et al. 2005).

Postmortem examination of Australian sea snakes ( Hydrophiinae): Anatomy and common pathologic conditions.

There is limited published information about disease in wild sea snakes and no standardized guideline for postmortem examination of sea snakes. Identifying causes of morbidity and mortality of marine vertebrate species has been pivotal to understanding disease factors implicated in stranding events and assisting with the formulation of conservation plans. Additionally, postmortem findings can provide valuable information on life history traits and the ecology of these reclusive species.

Interdisciplinary spasticity management clinic outcomes using the Goal Attainment Scale: A retrospective chart review.

Objective: To generate practice-based evidence of outcomes in an interdisciplinary spasticity management clinic using practical application of the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS).

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Patients: A total of 225 adult patients who were referred for spasticity management at a tertiary rehabilitation hospital and returned for follow-up between 2010 and 2013.

In vitro comparison of the dermal penetration of three different topical formulations containing lasalocid.

Background: Topical antimicrobial preparations are of utmost importance in treating suspected and confirmed meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) infections due to the increasing incidence of widespread resistance to systemic antimicrobials. Lasalocid is active against MRSP in vitro and this may become an important topical antimicrobial for the treatment of canine pyoderma.

Hypothesis/objectives: To determine effects of various formulation types on penetration and retention of lasalocid applied to canine skin in vitro.

Host-Microbe Co-metabolism Dictates Cancer Drug Efficacy in C. elegans.

Fluoropyrimidines are the first-line treatment for colorectal cancer, but their efficacy is highly variable between patients. We queried whether gut microbes, a known source of inter-individual variability, impacted drug efficacy. Combining two tractable genetic models, the bacterium E.

Closed-form equation to estimate the dielectric properties of biological tissues as a function of age.

Developing microwave systems for biomedical applications requires accurate dielectric properties of biological tissues for reliable modeling before prototyping and subject testing. Dielectric properties of tissues decrease with age due to the change in their water content, but there are no detailed age-dependent data, especially for young tissue-like newborns, in the literature. In this article, an age-dependent formula to predict the dielectric properties of biological tissues was derived.

Molecular and biochemical characterization of recombinant cel12B, cel8C, and peh28 overexpressed in and their potential in biofuel production.

Background: The high crystallinity of cellulosic biomass myofibrils as well as the complexity of their intermolecular structure is a significant impediment for biofuel production. Cloning of -, -encoded cellulases (cel12B and cel8C) and -encoded polygalacturonase (peh28) from subsp. () was carried out in our previous study using as a host vector.

Preliminary investigations into a novel, long-acting, injectable, intramuscular formulation of omeprazole in the horse.

Background: Pilot investigations have suggested that a novel, long-acting, injectable i.m. formulation of omeprazole (LA-OMEP) can induce acid suppression for up to 7 days following a single injection.

Status of marine turtle rehabilitation in Queensland.

Rehabilitation of marine turtles in Queensland has multifaceted objectives. It treats individual animals, serves to educate the public, and contributes to conservation. We examined the outcome from rehabilitation, time in rehabilitation, and subsequent recapture and restranding rates of stranded marine turtles between 1996 and 2013 to determine if the benefits associated with this practice are cost-effective as a conservation tool.

Molecular epidemiology and pathology of spirorchiid infection in green sea turtles ().

Spirorchiid blood fluke infections affect endangered turtle populations globally, and are reported as a common cause of mortality in Queensland green sea turtles. Both the flukes and their ova are pathogenic and can contribute to the stranding or death of their host. Of particular interest are ova-associated brain lesions, which have been associated with host neurological deficits.

Estimating the Proportion of Childhood Cancer Cases and Costs Attributable to the Environment in California.

Objectives: To estimate the proportion of cases and costs of the most common cancers among children aged 0 to 14 years (leukemia, lymphoma, and brain or central nervous system tumors) that were attributable to preventable environmental pollution in California in 2013.

Methods: We conducted a literature review to identify preventable environmental hazards associated with childhood cancer. We combined risk estimates with California-specific exposure prevalence estimates to calculate hazard-specific environmental attributable fractions (EAFs).

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Integrative Medicine.

Since time immemorial humans have utilized natural products and therapies for their healing properties. Even now, in the age of genomics and on the cusp of regenerative medicine, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches represents a popular branch of health care. Furthermore, there is a trend towards a unified medical philosophy referred to as Integrative Medicine (IM) that represents the convergence of CAM and conventional medicine.

Virtual Breakthrough Series, Part 2: Improving Fall Prevention Practices in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) implemented a Virtual Breakthrough Series (VBTS) collaborative to help prevent falls and fall-related injuries. This project enabled teams to expand program infrastructure, redesign improvement strategies, and enhance program evaluation.

Methods: A VBTS collaborative involves prework, action, and continuous improvement.

Virtual Breakthrough Series, Part 1: Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection and Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: In 2014 the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented a Virtual Breakthrough Series (VBTS) collaborative to help VHA facilities prevent hospital-acquired conditions: catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs).

Methods: During the prework phase, participating facilities assembled a multidisciplinary team, assessed their current system for CAUTI or HAPU prevention, and examined baseline data to set improvement aims. The action phase consisted of educational conference calls, coaching, and monthly team reports.

Root Cause Analyses of Reported Adverse Events Occurring During Gastrointestinal Scope and Tube Placement Procedures in the Veterans Health Association.

Objective: This study describes reported adverse events related to gastrointestinal (GI) scope and tube placement procedures (between January 2010 and June 2012), in the Veterans Health Administration. Adverse events, including those related to GI procedures resulting in preventable harm, continue to occur.

Methods: This is a descriptive review of root cause analysis reports of GI scope and tube placement procedures from the National Center for Patient Safety database.

Mutations in SLC25A22: hyperprolinaemia, vacuolated fibroblasts and presentation with developmental delay.

Mutations in SLC25A22 are known to cause neonatal epileptic encephalopathy and migrating partial seizures in infancy. Using whole exome sequencing we identified four novel SLC25A22 mutations in six children from three families. Five patients presented clinical features similar to those in the literature including hypotonia, refractory neonatal-onset seizures and developmental delay.

Quality and stability of extemporaneous pyridoxal phosphate preparations used in the treatment of paediatric epilepsy.

Objectives: To assess the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) content and stability of extemporaneous PLP liquids prepared from dietary supplements used for the treatment of vitamin B -dependent epilepsy.

Methods: Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate liquids were prepared in accordance with the guidelines given to patients from marketed 50 mg PLP dietary capsules and tablets. The PLP content and its stability were evaluated under conditions resembling the clinical setting using reverse phase HPLC and mass spectrometry.