Protecting whose welfare? A document analysis of competition regulatory decisions in four jurisdictions across three harmful consumer product industries.

Background And Methods: Competition regulation has a strong influence on the relative market power of firms. As such, competition regulation can complement industry-specific measures designed to address harms associated with excessive market power in harmful consumer product industries. This study aimed to examine, through a public health lens, assessments and decisions made by competition authorities in four jurisdictions (Australia, South Africa, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU)) involving three harmful consumer product industries (alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tobacco).

A multi-center study of the MicroNET-covered stent in consecutive patients with acute carotid-related stroke: SAFEGUARD-STROKE.

Introduction: Acute carotid-related stroke (CRS), with its large thrombo-embolic load and large volume of affected brain tissue, poses significant management challenges. First generation (single-layer) carotid stents fail to insulate the athero-thrombotic material; thus they are often non-optimized (increasing thrombosis risk), yet their use is associated with a significant (20-30%) risk of new cerebral embolism.

Aim: To evaluate, in a multi-center multi-specialty investigator-initiated study, outcomes of the MicroNET-covered (cell area ≈ 0.

[Urinary diversion in old patients (80+ years)].

With increasing life expectancy there is also an increased need for the management of older (≥ 80 years) patients with the diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is the state of the art treatment (with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as long as the patient is fit enough). Choosing the best urinary diversion with respect to morbidity compared to functionality and quality of life remains a challenge in these patients.

Ex Vivo Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy for Intraoperative Examinations of Lung Tumors as Alternative to Frozen Sections-A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Intraoperative frozen sections (FS) are frequently used to establish the diagnosis of lung cancer when preoperative examinations are not conclusive. The downside of FS is its resource-intensive nature and the risk of tissue depletion when small lesions are assessed. Ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) is a novel microimaging method for loss-free examinations of native materials.

The use of food processing terminology in Australian news media: a content analysis.

Objective: This study aims to determine whether ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are being discussed in news media in Australia and whether this terminology, as described in the NOVA system, is being applied accurately.

Design: Interpretive content analysis of online and print media articles that mentioned UPFs from 2009 to 2023 in Australia.

Setting: Australia.

Glycoprofiling of proteins as prostate cancer biomarkers: A multinational population study.

The glycoprofiling of two proteins, the free form of the prostate-specific antigen (fPSA) and zinc-α-2-glycoprotein (ZA2G), was assessed to determine their suitability as prostate cancer (PCa) biomarkers. The glycoprofiling of proteins was performed by analysing changes in the glycan composition on fPSA and ZA2G using lectins (proteins that recognise glycans, i.e.

Ex Vivo Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy of MRI-Guided Targeted Prostate Biopsies for Rapid Detection of Clinically Significant Carcinomas-A Feasibility Study.

Background: MRI-guided prostate biopsies from visible tumor-specific lesions (TBx) can be used to diagnose clinically significant carcinomas (csPCa) requiring treatment more selectively than conventional systematic biopsies (SBx). Ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) is a novel technique that can be used to examine TBx prior to conventional histologic workup.

Methods: TBx from 150 patients were examined with FCM on the day of collection.

Chocolate unicorns and smiling teddy biscuits: analysis of the use of child-directed marketing on the packages of Australian foods.

Objective: The use of food packaging as a vehicle for marketing to children is under investigated. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and types of child-directed promotional techniques used on food packaging in Australia.

Design: Based on existing literature and regulations, we developed a framework to classify on-pack child-directed promotional techniques involving the use of characters and other elements that appeal to children.

MRI-Guided Targeted and Systematic Prostate Biopsies as Prognostic Indicators for Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions.

The standard procedure for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma involves the collection of 10-12 systematic biopsies (SBx) from both lobes. MRI-guided targeted biopsies (TBx) from suspicious foci increase the detection rates of clinically significant (cs) PCa. We investigated the extent to which the results of the TBx predicted the tumor board treatment decisions.

Endovascular Baroreflex Amplification With the MobiusHD Device in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: Interim Analysis of the First-in-Human Results.

Background: Endovascular baroreflex amplification with the MobiusHD, a self-expanding stent-like device that is implanted in the internal carotid artery, was designed to reduce the sympathetic overactivity that contributes to progressive heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: Symptomatic patients (New York Heart Association class III) with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤40%) despite guideline directed medical therapy and n-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels ≥400 pg/mL in whom carotid ultrasound and computed tomographic angiography demonstrated absence of carotid plaque were enrolled. Baseline and follow-up measures included 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score (KCCQ OSS), and repeat biomarkers and transthoracic echocardiography.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Strengths and Weaknesses of the Lobe-Only Occluder Concept in Theory and in Practice.

Left atrial appendage closure aims to eliminate the stasis component of Virchow triad by eliminating a cul-de-sac that favors thrombosis, particularly when atrial contractility becomes inefficient, such as in atrial fibrillation. Left atrial appendage closure devices have a common objective of sealing the appendage completely, with device stability and avoidance of device thrombosis. Two main device designs have been used to perform left atrial appendage closure: those that use a pacifier design (lobe + disk) and those that use a plug (single lobe) design.

World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment (WIST) Multispecialty Training Guidelines for Endovascular Stroke Intervention.

Introduction: Today, endovascular treatment (EVT) is the therapy of choice for strokes due to acute large vessel occlusion, irrespective of prior thrombolysis. This necessitates fast, coordinated multi-specialty collaboration. Currently, in most countries, the number of physicians and centres with expertise in EVT is limited.

Who is donating to political parties in Queensland, Australia? An analysis of political donations from the food industry.

Objective: Australia's dominant food system encourages the overconsumption of foods detrimental for human and planetary health. Despite this, Australia has limited policies to reduce the burden of disease and protect the environment. Political donations from the food industry may contribute to policy inertia on this issue.

Ex Vivo Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy (FCM) Ensures Representative Tissue in Prostate Cancer Biobanking: A Feasibility Study.

Background: Biobanking of prostate carcinoma is particularly challenging due to the actual cancer within the organ often without clear margins. Frozen sections are to date the only way to examine the biobank material for its tumor content. We used ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) to analyze biobank samples prior to cryoasservation.

Transvenous Right Greater Splanchnic Nerve Ablation in Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction: First-in-Human Study.

Background: Ablation of the right-sided greater splanchnic nerve (GSN) can reduce excessive splanchnic vasoconstriction, potentially improving the handling of volume shifts in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess a novel catheter procedure of right-sided GSN ablation to treat HFpEF: splanchnic ablation for volume management.

Methods: This trial included 11 HFpEF patients (8 women, age 70 ± 8 years) with New York Heart Association functional class II or III symptoms, ejection fraction ≥50%, and elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at rest or with exercise.

Characteristics and Risk Factors for Electric Scooter-Related Crashes and Injury Crashes among Scooter Riders: A Two-Phase Survey Study.

Electric scooters (or e-scooters) are among the most popular micromobility options that have experienced an enormous expansion in urban transportation systems across the world in recent years. Along with the increased usage of e-scooters, the increasing number of e-scooter-related injuries has also become an emerging global public health concern. However, little is known regarding the risk factors for e-scooter-related crashes and injury crashes.

Outcomes of Redo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement According to the Initial and Subsequent Valve Type.

Background: As transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) replacement is increasingly used in patients with longer life expectancy, a sizable proportion will require redo TAV replacement (TAVR). The unique configuration of balloon-expandable TAV (bTAV) vs a self-expanding TAV (sTAV) potentially affects TAV-in-TAV outcome.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better inform prosthesis selection, TAV-in-TAV outcomes were assessed according to the type of initial and subsequent TAV.