Analytic Morphomics in Myositis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease.

Purpose: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common non-musculoskeletal manifestation of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Identification of body composition change may enable early intervention to improve prognosis. We investigated muscle quantity and quality derived from cross-sectional imaging in IIM, and its relationship to ILD severity.

Use of a Synthetic Dermal Matrix for Reconstruction of 55 Patients with Nongraftable Wounds and Management of Complications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a completely synthetic dermal matrix (Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix [BTM]) for staged reconstruction of complex wounds. The authors defined complex wounds as wounds not amenable to reconstruction with skin grafting alone due to an inherent avascularity such as the presence of bare bone, tendinous, or neural structures. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of complex wounds as defined above was carried out.

Screening for Cognitive Impairment with the Quick Memory Check: Validation of a Caregiver Administered Cognitive Screen.

Background: Self or home-administered cognitive screening instruments (CSIs) can reduce barriers to the early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Objective: To examine the acceptability and diagnostic accuracy of a caregiver-administered CSI, the Quick Memory Check (QMC).

Methods: Components of the Quick Mild Cognitive impairment (Qmci) screen (orientation, verbal fluency, and logical memory) were re-weighted to create the QMC, scored out of 100 points.

Management of Hydrocarbon Burns: Considering Mental Health and Biochemical Abnormalities.

Volatile substance misuse, particularly the inhalation of hydrocarbons, is a growing issue globally. Consequences of volatile substance misuse, both acute and chronic cause cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and central nervous system damage. Whilst the effects of hydrocarbon abuse have been reported, the combination of intoxication with hydrocarbon and burns sustained has not yet been presented.

Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix Reconstruction of Complex Perineal Burn Wound: A Case Report.

This case report details our experience using a two-stage Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix (NovoSorb® PolyNovo Ltd) and autograft for acute reconstruction of a complex perineal burn wound in an elderly comorbid patient. A 77-year-old man sustained 42% full-thickness burns extending circumferentially from bilateral thighs and buttocks, across the entire perineal and genital regions up to his mid-trunk, following self-immolation using an accelerant. Early total burn wound excision was carried out with acute application of Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix to all affected sites.

The Economic Value of the Delivery of Primary Cleft Surgery in Timor Leste 2000-2017.

Background: Plastic and reconstructive surgical teams visiting from Australia, a high-income country, have delivered cleft surgical services to Timor Leste since 2000 on a volunteer basis. This paper aims to estimate the economic benefit of correcting cleft deformities in this new nation as it evolved its healthcare delivery service from independence in 1999.

Methods: We have utilised a prospective database of all cleft surgical interventions performed during 44 plastic surgical missions over the last 18 years.

A biodegradable polyurethane dermal matrix in reconstruction of free flap donor sites: a pilot study.

We have developed a biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) capable of supporting secondary split-skin graft-take in animal studies. We report its first long-term implantation and use as a dermal scaffold in humans. This preliminary study assesses its ability to integrate, its ease of delamination, its ability to sustain split-skin graft in complex wounds, the degree of wound contraction, and ultimately the quality of the scar at 1 year postimplantation.

A 365-day view of the difficult patients treated in an Australian adult burn center.

Although the effect of burns on mental health has been well examined, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of pre-existing mental health, drug and alcohol, and forensic problems in an Australian burn patient population; examine differences between these groups in terms of burns characteristics and healing; and also establish any patterns of presentation amongst these groups. Retrospective case notes of all the acute burn admissions, 273 patients, into a busy tertiary adults burn center in a full year were reviewed. Almost half of the patients admitted had underlying complex issues.

A randomized, controlled trial of negative pressure wound therapy of pressure ulcers via a novel polyurethane foam.

The objectives of the study were (1) to look for any local, clinically apparent response, within and around a debrided wound, to a novel biocompatible polyurethane foam during repeated, short-term implantation, and (2) to assess the material's efficacy as a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) interface compared with a widely used, commercially available foam. Twenty pressure ulcers in 18 patients underwent surgical debridement, then randomization to receive novel treatment or control foam as the wound interface for NPWT. Dressing changes every 2-3 days allowed qualitative wound assessment and quantitative measurement to compare outcomes.

Biobanking of blood and bone marrow: emerging challenges for custodians of public resources.

The Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) is a publicly funded company that is part of an international network that facilitates unrelated bone marrow transplantation. This role means that the ABMDR has access to a large biospecimen repository therefore making it a highly valuable research resource. Recognising the potential value of these biospecimens for research purposes, the ABMDR is in the process of determining whether, and how, to share its biospecimens with other biobanks.

A ten-year retrospective analysis of cement burns in a tertiary burns center.

Cement is extensively used both in the professional construction and "do-it-yourself" industries. Despite a number of small published series during the past 80 years highlighting its potential for harm, little seems to have been done to make consumers aware of its risks of causing serious burn injuries. The authors present 10 years of a tertiary adult burn center's experience with these burns, and highlight the significance of these burns on the active, working sector of society.

Donor human leukocyte antigen specific antibodies predict development and define prognosis in transplant glomerulopathy.

The pathogenesis of transplant glomerulopathy (TG) remains unclear, with evidence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies as important contributors to the disease. We studied the risk factors and the associations of HLA antibodies in the development of TG. Sixty-one cases with morphologic features of TG were identified and compared with contemporaneous matched patients (without TG) from a 17-year period, all undergoing renal biopsy in a single center.

Clinical significance of anti-HLA antibodies detected by Luminex: enhancing the interpretation of CDC-BXM and important post-transplantation monitoring tools.

B-cell crossmatch (BXM) was originally introduced to increase the sensitivity to detect anti-HLA antibodies of conventional CDC crossmatch in renal transplantation. Newer techniques such as Luminex((R)) have greater sensitivity in detecting anti-HLA antibodies but have not been directly evaluated versus BXM. We discuss our experience with Luminex testing and the significance of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) defined by Luminex in three populations, as compared with the CDC crossmatch.

Male to male sex is associated with a high prevalence of exposure to GB virus C.

Co-infection with GB virus C (GBV-C) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appears to reduce mortality for HIV/AIDS. Epidemiological and demographic factors for GBV-C were examined prospectively in 167 subjects at risk for co-infection. We attempted to establish a hierarchical exposure risk for GBV-C.