The development of terrestrial ecosystems emerging after glacier retreat.

The global retreat of glaciers is dramatically altering mountain and high-latitude landscapes, with new ecosystems developing from apparently barren substrates. The study of these emerging ecosystems is critical to understanding how climate change interacts with microhabitat and biotic communities and determines the future of ice-free terrains. Here, using a comprehensive characterization of ecosystems (soil properties, microclimate, productivity and biodiversity by environmental DNA metabarcoding) across 46 proglacial landscapes worldwide, we found that all the environmental properties change with time since glaciers retreated, and that temperature modulates the accumulation of soil nutrients.

Local climate modulates the development of soil nematode communities after glacier retreat.

The worldwide retreat of glaciers is causing a faster than ever increase in ice-free areas that are leading to the emergence of new ecosystems. Understanding the dynamics of these environments is critical to predicting the consequences of climate change on mountains and at high latitudes. Climatic differences between regions of the world could modulate the emergence of biodiversity and functionality after glacier retreat, yet global tests of this hypothesis are lacking.

A Pilot Study for Volatilome Characterization Using a Gas Sensor Array and GC/MS Techniques.

Legionellosis is a generic term describing the pneumonic (Legionnaires' disease, LD) and non-pneumonic (Pontiac fever, PF) forms of infection with bacteria belonging to the genus . Currently, the techniques used to detect spp. in water samples have certain limitations and drawbacks, and thus, there is a need to identify new tools to carry out low-cost and rapid analysis.

Acceptability and feasibility of telehealth outpatient video-link consultations: A national cross-sectional survey of surgeons prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study explored use and perceived barriers to the use of post-operative video-link telehealth among a sample of Australian surgeons shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: During 2019-2020, a survey was mailed to RACS or RANZCOG Fellows.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Preparation for Cancer Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Patient Self-Reported Experiences and Correlates.

Given the significant physical and psychosocial side-effects cancer treatment has on individuals, it is important to ensure patients receive adequate preparation prior to treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore, among Australian oncology patients, (i) the self-reported treatment preparation information they received; and (ii) the patient characteristics associated with the treatment preparation information received. Patients in the early stages of cancer treatment were invited to complete a survey exploring their receipt of information about treatment preparation.

Top Priorities for Health Service Improvements Among Australian Oncology Patients.

Objective: To determine among a sample of Australian cancer patients receiving outpatient oncology care: 1) the most frequently endorsed general health service improvements selected by patients; 2) for the three most endorsed general health service improvements, the proportion of participants endorsing specific health service changes; and 3) sociodemographic, disease and treatment characteristics associated with the most frequently endorsed general health service improvements.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across six outpatient oncology treatment units located in New South Wales, Australia. Patients receiving chemotherapy for any cancer diagnosis at any of six oncology services were recruited.

Gaps in patient-centered follow-up cancer care: a cross sectional study.

There are published guidelines on the care that should be provided to cancer patients upon finishing treatment (i.e. follow-up care).

Species Discrimination Using a Gas Sensor Array.

The efficiency of electronic noses in detecting and identifying microorganisms has been proven by several studies. Since volatile compounds change with the growth of colonies, the identification of strains is highly dependent on the growing conditions. In this paper, the effects of growth were investigated with different species of , which is one of the most studied microorganisms because of its implications in environmental and food safety.

A case of lung injury resembling diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage after the first administration of alemtuzumab in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Role of the HRCT.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is an acute often life-threatening condition characterized by a variable combination of hemoptysis, dyspnoea, diffuse and bilateral ground glass pulmonary opacities, anemia and hypoxemia, that can be induced by different causes, including several drugs. We report here the case of a 25-year-old woman who has been admitted to our pulmonary clinic for the onset of chest pain, cough and haemoptysis, started one week after her first treatment with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest at the admission showed diffuse and bilateral ground glass pulmonary opacities.

The System for Patient Assessment of Cancer Experiences (SPACE): a cross-sectional study examining feasibility and acceptability.

Background: Continuous quality improvement in cancer care relies on the collection of accurate data on the quality of care provided. It is suggested that such an approach should: (i) measure the patient's care experience throughout the cancer trajectory; (ii) use items and response scales that measure concrete and specific aspects of care; (iii) minimise recall bias; (iv) minimise the burden placed on patients for providing data; (v) minimise administrative burden; and (vi) collect actionable data. The System for Patient Assessment of Cancer Experiences (SPACE) was developed to meet these objectives.

Transcription inhibitors and inflammatory cell activity.

Inflammation is a central feature of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite recent advances in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD, much more research on the molecular mechanisms of asthma and COPD are needed to aid the logical development of new therapies for these common and important diseases, particularly in COPD where no new effective treatments currently exist. In the future the role of the activation/repression of different transcription factors and the genetic regulation of their expression in asthma and COPD may be an increasingly important aspect of research, as this may be one of the critical mechanisms regulating the expression of different clinical phenotypes and their responsiveness to therapy, particularly to anti-inflammatory drugs.

Cross-sectional survey to inform the development of a telehealth support model: a feasibility study for women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Background: For patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, the pre- and post-operative periods can be characterised by feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Telehealth offers an opportunity to provide perioperative support to surgical patients and overcome some of the barriers to accessing care.

Aims: In order to inform the development of a telehealth support model for women undergoing breast cancer surgery, this feasibility study explored: (a) access and preferences for telehealth; and (b) the proportion of participants who reported problems with unmet information and preparation needs related to surgery, post-operative pain, anxiety, and quality of life.

Using the Health Belief Model to explore why women decide for or against the removal of their ovaries to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

Background: Women at an increased risk of ovarian cancer often have to decide for or against the surgical removal of their healthy ovaries to reduce their cancer risk. This decision can be extremely difficult. Despite this, there is a lack of guidance on how to best support women in making this decision.

Preferences for models of peer support in the digital era: A cross-sectional survey of people with cancer.

Objective: Many people with cancer report an unmet need for peer support, yet participation rates are low. This study examined cancer patients' preferences for participating in peer support, and the characteristics associated with having or wanting to participate in peer support.

Methods: Adult cancer patients were recruited from outpatient oncology clinics at 5 hospitals in Australia.

Consumer input into health care: Time for a new active and comprehensive model of consumer involvement.

Background: To ensure the provision of patient-centred health care, it is essential that consumers are actively involved in the process of determining and implementing health-care quality improvements. However, common strategies used to involve consumers in quality improvements, such as consumer membership on committees and collection of patient feedback via surveys, are ineffective and have a number of limitations, including: limited representativeness; tokenism; a lack of reliable and valid patient feedback data; infrequent assessment of patient feedback; delays in acquiring feedback; and how collected feedback is used to drive health-care improvements.

Objectives: We propose a new active model of consumer engagement that aims to overcome these limitations.

Asthma management in a specialist setting: Results of an Italian Respiratory Society survey.

Background: Asthma considerably impairs patients' quality of life and increases healthcare costs. Severity, morbidity, and degree of disease control are the major drivers of its clinical and economic impact. National scientific societies are required to monitor the application of international guidelines and to adopt strategies to improve disease control and better allocate resources.

Expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components in endometrial cancer.

A dysfunctional endometrial renin-angiotensin system (RAS) could aid the growth and spread of endometrial cancer. To determine if the RAS is altered in endometrial cancer, we measured RAS gene expression and protein levels in 30 human formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) endometrioid carcinomas and their adjacent endometrium. All components of the RAS were expressed in most tumours and in adjacent endometrium; mRNA levels of (pro)renin receptor (ATP6AP2), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE1) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) mRNA levels were greater in tumour tissue than adjacent non-cancerous endometrium (P = 0.

Genetic Risk Score Mendelian Randomization Shows that Obesity Measured as Body Mass Index, but not Waist:Hip Ratio, Is Causal for Endometrial Cancer.

Background: The strongest known risk factor for endometrial cancer is obesity. To determine whether SNPs associated with increased body mass index (BMI) or waist-hip ratio (WHR) are associated with endometrial cancer risk, independent of measured BMI, we investigated relationships between 77 BMI and 47 WHR SNPs and endometrial cancer in 6,609 cases and 37,926 country-matched controls.

Methods: Logistic regression analysis and fixed effects meta-analysis were used to test for associations between endometrial cancer risk and (i) individual BMI or WHR SNPs, (ii) a combined weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) for BMI or WHR.

Renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynaecological malignancy and its incidence is increasing. Dysregulation of the endometrial renin-angiotensin system (RAS) could predispose to EC; therefore, we studied the prevalence of RAS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Australian women with EC. SNPs assessed were AGT M235T (rs699); AGTR1 A1166C (rs5186); ACE A240T and T93C (rs4291, rs4292) and ATP6AP2 (rs2968915).

Control of Legionella Contamination and Risk of Corrosion in Hospital Water Networks following Various Disinfection Procedures.

Physical and chemical disinfection methods have been proposed with the aim of controlling Legionella water contamination. To date, the most effective procedures for reducing bacterial contamination have not yet been defined. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of various disinfection procedures in order to reduce both culturable and nonculturable (NC) legionellae in different hospital water networks treated with heat, chlorine dioxide, monochloramine, and hydrogen peroxide.

Targeted next-generation sequencing of 22 mismatch repair genes identifies Lynch syndrome families.

Causative germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes can only be identified in ~50% of families with a clinical diagnosis of the inherited colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)/Lynch syndrome (LS). Identification of these patients are critical as they are at substantially increased risk of developing multiple primary tumors, mainly colorectal and endometrial cancer (EC), occurring at a young age. This demonstrates the need to develop new and/or more thorough mutation detection approaches.