Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce albuminuria in patients with Fabry disease: a real-world case series.

Background: Fabry disease is a rare X-linked multisystem disease, with progressive proteinuric kidney disease contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality of these patients. Evidence shows that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) can reduce proteinuria and slow progression to end-stage kidney disease in both diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease.

Aim: Evaluate the effects of SGLT2I on kidney function and albuminuria in patients with Fabry disease.

Gender and sex differences in occupation-specific infectious diseases: a systematic review.

Occupational infectious disease risks between men and women have often been attributed to the gendered distribution of the labour force, with limited comparative research on occupation-specific infectious disease risks. The objective of this study was to compare infectious disease risks within the same occupations by gender. A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2021 was undertaken.

The Effect of Fabry Disease Therapy on Bone Mineral Density.

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, characterised by the cellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide due to impaired alpha-galactosidase A enzyme activity. FD may manifest with multisystem pathology, including reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Registry data suggest that the introduction of Fabry-specific therapies (enzyme replacement therapy or chaperone therapy) has led to significant improvements in overall patient outcomes; however, there are limited data on the impact on bone density.

Interventions to Attenuate Cardiovascular Calcification Progression: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Cardiovascular calcification, characterized by deposition of calcium phosphate in the arterial wall and heart valves, is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is commonly seen in aging, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Whether evidence-based interventions could significantly attenuate cardiovascular calcification progression remains uncertain.

Methods And Results: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving interventions, compared with placebo, another comparator, or standard of care, to attenuate cardiovascular calcification.

Modifiable Risk Factor Score and Fecundability in a Preconception Cohort in Singapore.

Importance: Although multiple modifiable risk factors have been identified for reduced fecundability (defined as lower probability of conception within a menstrual cycle), no scoring system has been established to systematically evaluate fecundability among females who are attempting to conceive.

Objective: To examine the association of a risk score based on 6 modifiable factors with fecundability, and to estimate the percentage reduction in incidence of nonconception if all study participants achieved a minimal risk score level.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based cohort study obtained data from the S-PRESTO (Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes) prospective cohort study.

Serum Calciprotein Monomers and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression.

Introduction: Elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with progression of CKD. FGF23 inhibits proximal tubular phosphate reabsorption, raising phosphate concentrations in the tubular fluid of functioning nephrons, predisposing to spontaneous precipitation of calcium phosphate crystals and resultant tubular injury. Calciprotein monomers (CPM) form spontaneously in biological fluids when clusters of calcium phosphate ions are bound by the liver-derived glycoprotein fetuin-A.

Eye drop instillation technique among patients with glaucoma and evaluation of pharmacists' roles in improving their technique: an exploratory study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the eye drop instillation technique of patients with glaucoma and whether a pharmacist-led counselling session can improve their technique. Patients' perceptions of pharmacists' role in providing the counselling were also explored.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2020 and March 2021 at Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia.

Nocturnal Lifestyle Behaviours and Risk of Poor Sleep during Pregnancy.

The extent to which lifestyle practices at night influence sleep quality in pregnant women remains unknown. This study aimed to examine whether nocturnal behaviours were associated with poor sleep during pregnancy. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort of pregnant women at 18-24 gestation weeks recruited from KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, between 2019 and 2021.

Differences between men and women in their risk of work injury and disability: A systematic review.

Background: Health responses associated with occupational exposures can vary between men and women.

Aims: This study reviewed the work injury and disability risks associated with similar types of occupational exposures for men and women within and across occupations.

Materials & Methods: A systematic review was undertaken of observational studies published between 2009 and 2019.

Effect of nutritional calcium and phosphate loading on calciprotein particle kinetics in adults with normal and impaired kidney function.

Plasma approaches metastability with respect to its calcium and phosphate content, with only minor perturbations in ionic activity needed to sustain crystal growth once nucleated. Physiologically, calcium and phosphate are intermittently absorbed from the diet each day, yet plasma concentrations of these ions deviate minimally post-prandially. This implies the existence of a blood-borne mineral buffer system to sequester calcium phosphates and minimise the risk of deposition in the soft tissues.

Primary Care Physicians' Learning Needs in Returning Ill or Injured Workers to Work. A Scoping Review.

Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to assist ill and injured workers to stay-at-work or to return-to-work. Purpose The purpose of this scoping review is to identify primary care physicians' learning needs in returning ill or injured workers to work and to identify gaps to guide future research. Methods We used established methodologies developed by Arksey and O'Malley, Cochrane and adapted by the Systematic Review Program at the Institute for Work & Health.

Effect of lanthanum carbonate on serum calciprotein particles in patients with stage 3-4 CKD-results from a placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Background: Calciprotein particles (CPP) are colloidal aggregates of calcium phosphate and the mineral-binding protein fetuin-A, and are potential mediators of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Emerging evidence suggests non-calcium-containing phosphate binders may reduce serum CPP in patients with kidney failure who require dialysis; however, it is unclear whether similar interventions are effective in patients with earlier stages of CKD.

Methods: The IMpact of Phosphate Reduction On Vascular End-points in CKD (IMPROVE-CKD) was a multi-centre, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lanthanum carbonate on cardiovascular markers in 278 participants with stage 3b/4 CKD.

Sex and Gender Differences in Occupational Hazard Exposures: a Scoping Review of the Recent Literature.

Purpose Of Review: Comparative research on sex and/or gender differences in occupational hazard exposures is necessary for effective work injury and illness prevention strategies. This scoping review summarizes the peer-reviewed literature from 2009 to 2019 on exposure differences to occupational hazards between men and women, across occupations, and within the same occupation.

Recent Findings: Fifty-eight studies retrieved from eight databases met our inclusion criteria.

Outcomes following parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease: a single-centre study.

Background: Surgical parathyroidectomy may be required for severe and refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Parathyroidectomy is associated with long-term survival benefit despite an increase in short-term morbidity and mortality. Global variation in practice exists, with limited Australian data on outcomes following parathyroidectomy.

Reduction of Calciprotein Particles in Adults Receiving Infliximab for Chronic Inflammatory Disease.

Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) experience accelerated loss of bone mineral density, which is often accompanied by increased vascular calcification. These disturbances can be attenuated by therapies for inflammation, such as the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor infliximab. Calciprotein particles (CPP) are circulating colloidal aggregates of calcium and phosphate together with the mineral-binding protein fetuin-A, which have emerged as potential mediators of vascular calcification.

Serum phosphate and mortality in incident dialysis patients in Australia and New Zealand.

Aim: Hyperphosphataemia is associated with increased adverse outcomes, including mortality. Re-examining this association using up-to-date data reflecting current and real-world practices, across different global regions and in both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, is important.

Methods: We describe the association between serum phosphate and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in incident dialysis patients between 2008 and 2018 using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry.

Effect of a medium cut-off dialyzer on protein-bound uremic toxins and mineral metabolism markers in patients on hemodialysis.

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) with medium cut-off (MCO) dialyzers may expand molecular clearance, predominantly larger middle molecules (molecular weight 25-60 kDa). However, the impact of MCO dialyzers on long-term clearance of various other components of the uremic milieu is unknown. The tRial Evaluating Mid cut-Off Value membrane clearance of Albumin and Light chains in HemoDialysis patients (REMOVAL-HD) provided an opportunity to assess the effect of MCO dialyzers on protein-bound uremic toxins and novel markers of mineral metabolism.

Occupational exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder: A rapid review.

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result from occupational exposures and poses a considerable burden to workers, their families, workplaces and to society in general.

Objective: Our objective was to conduct a rapid review of the literature to answer the question: "Which occupations have exposures that may lead to a PTSD diagnosis?"

Methods: A rapid review was conducted in six steps: review question development, literature search, study selection (inclusion/exclusion), study characterization, data extraction, and data synthesis.

Results: The search identified 3428 unique references which were reviewed to find 16 relevant studies in 23 articles.

Examining barriers to timely waitlisting for kidney transplantation for Indigenous Australians in Central Australia.

Background: Indigenous Australians are disproportionately affected by end stage kidney disease. Despite this, they face significant delays being assessed and waitlisted for kidney transplant.

Aims: To examine the kidney transplant waitlisting process in our region, to compare the workup process between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous patients, and identify major sources of delay.

Successful treatment of HIV-associated lupus-like glomerulonephritis with mycophenolic acid.

HIV-associated lupus-like glomerulonephritis is an uncommon but well-described entity. Treatment has traditionally focused on control of HIV viremia with some using adjuvant steroids. Mycophenolic acid may prove to be a novel, nonsteroid, therapy in patients with active glomerulonephritis despite control of the underlying infection.

Advanced vehicle technologies and road safety: A scoping review of the evidence.

The proliferation of Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVTs) has generated both excitement and concern among researchers, policymakers, and the general public. An increasing number of driver assistance systems are already available in today's automobiles; many of which are expected to become standard. Therefore, synthesizing the available evidence specific to the safety of AVTs is critical.