Publications by authors named "O'Brien D"

Introduction: 'Neurophobia' is a well reported phenomenon in the literature where in medical students and junior doctors have an inherent nervousness or 'fear' of neurology and neurosurgery

Research Question: Why do less medical students choose neurology and neurosurgery as a career and identify if neurophobia is an ingrained belief or learned behaviour?

Materials And Methods: We developed a questionnaire to assess medical student views and beliefs in connection with a career in neurosurgery. Specifically we examined the following domains: considering a career in neurology and neurosurgery, confidence with neuro anatomy and pathology, traits associated with neurosurgeons and neurologists and finally, their perceived barriers to a neuro career.

Results: 264 medical students completed the survey.

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Natural capital accounting can help farmers and producers meet global demands to disclose supply chain impacts on biodiversity and to reverse biodiversity declines in farmland. To date, methods have been limited in their ability to reliably represent biodiversity, especially fauna, and are typically prepared at the regional scale, not at the farm scale - the scale at which many decisions that impact habitats for species are made. We surveyed birds at 1155 sites across 50 farms (total area = 135,890 ha) in south-eastern Australia to relate site-level species richness of groups of birds to spatially discrete ecosystem condition states that are based on the structure and composition of vegetation and to develop a framework for farm-scale biodiversity accounting.

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  • High-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are rare tumors, particularly in patients under 21, and are more commonly diagnosed in older adults.
  • A study focused on 15 patients aged 9-20 revealed various classifications of thyroid carcinoma, including poorly differentiated and differentiated high-grade types, with specific genetic alterations noted, especially in the DICER1 and TP53 genes.
  • Immunohistochemistry tests indicated the presence of BRAF V600E mutations and PTEN alterations, highlighting the molecular complexity of these thyroid cancers in younger populations.
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Human activity influence Earth's environment, including the space environment hundreds to thousands of kilometers above the Earth. One direct evidence is that the 19.8 kHz electromagnetic signals launched by the North West Cape (NWC) transmitter station in Australia produce a wisp-like energy distribution of precipitating energetic electrons in Earth's inner radiation belt, observed by many Low Earth Orbiting satellites.

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  • Limb salvage after traumatic lower extremity (LE) injury often requires blood transfusions to improve tissue perfusion, but decision-making about transfusions can affect flap survival.
  • A study at a trauma center from 2007 to 2023 reviewed 234 patients, comparing those who received transfusions (Tf+) to those who did not (Tf-), finding higher rates of complications like partial flap necrosis and infections in the Tf+ group.
  • The results indicated that blood transfusions significantly increased the risk of flap necrosis by over five times and suggest that surgeons should adopt a more conservative approach to transfusions in these cases to improve outcomes.
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The abnormal assembly of tau protein in neurons is a pathological hallmark of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Assembled tau associates with extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the central nervous system of individuals with AD, which is linked to its clearance and prion-like propagation. However, the identities of the assembled tau species and EVs, as well as how they associate, are not known.

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At the nanometer scale, electrolyte solutions behave differently compared to their bulk counterparts. This phenomenon forms the basis for the field of nanofluidics, which is dedicated to studying the transport of fluids within and around objects with dimensions of less than 100 nm. Despite the increasing importance of nanofluidics for a wide range of chemical and biochemical applications, the ability to study this field in undergraduate laboratories remains limited due to challenges associated with producing suitable nanoscale objects.

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The availability and integration of electrophysiological and molecular data from the living brain is critical to understand and diagnose complex human disease. Intracranial stereo electroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes used for identifying the seizure focus on epilepsy patients could enable the integration of such multimodal data. Here, we report MoPEDE (Multimodal Profiling of Epileptic Brain Activity via Explanted Depth Electrodes), a method that recovers extensive protein-coding transcripts, including cell-type markers, DNA methylation and short variant profiles from explanted SEEG electrodes matched with electrophysiological and radiological data allowing for high-resolution reconstructions of brain structure and function.

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Background: This study protocol describes a community-based intervention that will seek to reduce added sugar intake in Yup'ik Alaska Native children by targeting reductions in sugar-sweetened fruit drinks.

Methods: A two-group non-randomized design will be used to evaluate the intervention in three Yup'ik communities in Alaska focusing on children age 1 to less than age 12 years with a minimum enrollment target of 192 children. Families in the intervention arm will participate in a program consisting of five sessions plus four brief check-ins, all delivered by a Yup'ik Community Health Worker.

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  • Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans, which is increasingly seen in Australia where possums serve as a reservoir for the infection.
  • In a study, six wild-caught possums that had never been exposed to MU were injected and all developed BU, with ulceration occurring between 49 and 77 days after infection.
  • The findings revealed systemic infection signs in most possums, indicating that this model can enhance understanding of how the bacterium spreads and can inform strategies to prevent further transmission and outbreaks.
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Objective: The objectives were to determine the prevalence of meeting criteria for symptoms suggestive of early osteoarthritis (OA) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to characterize the longitudinal changes in these symptoms during the first two years post-ACLR.

Methods: We analyzed data from 10,231 patients aged 14 to 40 years in the New Zealand ACL Registry who completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 6, 12, and 24 months post-ACLR. Symptoms suggestive of early OA were defined as scoring ≤85% on at least two of four KOOS subscales.

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  • There's a significant lack of critical knowledge that is slowing down efforts to address Buruli ulcer (BU), a neglected tropical disease.
  • A new human infection model for BU is being proposed to investigate how the disease interacts with the host and to test prevention and treatment options.
  • The authors have shared a preliminary protocol for this study, seeking input from the scientific community and stakeholders before refining it for official review by an institutional board.
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  • The study evaluates a proposed ultrasound checklist for detecting placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in patients with a high likelihood of the condition, aiming to see how effective it is in identifying confirmed PAS cases.
  • Conducted over five years, the research included patients who had ultrasound assessments for PAS suspicion, with diagnoses confirmed through surgical and histopathological findings.
  • Results showed an 80.7% PAS diagnosis among participants, with the third-trimester ultrasound displaying a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 73%, highlighting key ultrasound features—abnormal placental lacunae and myometrial thinning—as strongly associated with PAS.
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  • Motor neuron disease (MND) is a serious neurodegenerative condition that leads to muscle weakness and requires comprehensive management strategies involving medications and supportive care.
  • Current evidence supports treatments like riluzole and new therapies like Tofersen for specific MND types, while some approved drugs lack sufficient evidence for use in certain regions.
  • Emerging research highlights potential biomarkers, novel clinical trials, and the need for further investigation into environmental and genetic factors contributing to MND.
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There has long existed a substantial disparity in access to radiotherapy globally. This issue has only been exacerbated as the growing disparity of cancer incidence between high-income countries (HIC) and low and middle-income countries (LMICs) widens, with a pronounced increase in cancer cases in LMICs. Even within HICs, iniquities within local communities may lead to a lack of access to care.

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  • The study examines how the Barwon South-West Public Health Unit managed COVID-19 cases during 2020, focusing on their operational model and the impact of community transmission.
  • Between March and October 2020, 575 confirmed cases were reported in the region, with a 4.7% hospitalization rate and a 1.7% fatality rate, particularly during a major outbreak in Wave 2.
  • The local interprofessional model of care was effective in controlling outbreaks, leading to the elimination of the virus within three months and offering valuable insights for future public health strategies in Victoria.
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Background: Decompressive craniectomies (DCs) are recommended for the treatment of raised intracranial pressure after acute ischaemic stroke. Some studies have demonstrated improved outcomes with early decompressive craniectomy (< 48 h from onset) in patients with malignant cerebral oedema following middle cerebral artery infarction. Limited data is available on suboccipital decompressive craniectomy after cerebellar infarction.

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Generative-AI (GAI) models like ChatGPT are becoming widely discussed and utilized tools in medical education. For example, it can be used to assist with studying for exams, shown capable of passing the USMLE board exams. However, there have been concerns expressed regarding its fair and ethical use.

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We present a genome assembly from an individual male (the European pine marten; Chordata; Mammalia; Carnivora; Mustelidae). The genome sequence is 2,484.6 megabases in span.

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Background: The breath carbon isotope ratio (CIR) was recently identified as a noninvasive candidate biomarker of short-term added sugars (AS) intake.

Objectives: This study aimed to better understand the potential of the breath CIR as a dietary biomarker. We evaluated the effects of short-term and long-term intakes of AS, animal protein (AP), and related variables on breath CIR, in the context of typical dietary intake patterns.

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  • - Buruli ulcer (BU) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, leading to severe skin damage, primarily in endemic areas of Australia like Victoria and Far North Queensland, but can be found in travelers from these regions
  • - The article aims to equip Australian general practitioners with essential knowledge about BU, covering its epidemiology, how it's transmitted, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options
  • - Diagnosis of BU typically involves a Mycobacterium ulcerans PCR test on wound swabs, but for non-ulcerated cases, a tissue biopsy is more reliable; treatment usually consists of long-term antibiotics and appropriate wound care
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  • Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) causes upper extremity paralysis in infants due to various maternal and neonatal factors, with many children experiencing long-term functional limitations despite potential for recovery.
  • This review summarizes findings from a literature search on BPBI's anatomy, clinical presentation, treatment, and the need for specialized care.
  • It emphasizes the necessity of timely referrals to expert clinics, ongoing research for improved diagnostics, and the vital collaboration between healthcare providers and families to enhance care and outcomes for affected infants.
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