Associations between low sex steroid concentrations and incidence of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis in community-dwelling older women.

Objective: To examine whether low circulating sex steroid concentrations are associated with the incidence of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis in community-dwelling older women.

Study Design: This prospective cohort study examined 5535 Australian women recruited into the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial, aged ≥70 years, not taking medications affecting sex steroid concentrations, and with sex steroid concentrations measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Main Outcome Measures: The incidence of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis was determined by hospitalisations for knee and hip surgical procedures where osteoarthritis was recorded as the indication.

A Meta-Analysis of Levofloxacin for Contacts of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Background: Data from randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment for contacts of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB are lacking. Two recently published randomized trials that did not achieve statistical significance provide the opportunity for a meta-analysis.

Methods: We conducted combined analyses of two phase 3 trials of levofloxacin MDR-TB preventive treatment - Levofloxacin for the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (VQUIN) trial and the Levofloxacin preventive treatment in children exposed to MDR-TB (TB-CHAMP) trial.

Levofloxacin for the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Vietnam.

Background: Prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis is a global health priority. However, trials evaluating the effectiveness of treating infection among contacts of persons with drug-resistant tuberculosis are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing 6 months of daily levofloxacin (weight-based doses) with placebo to treat infection.

Synaptic Gα12/13 signaling establishes hippocampal PV inhibitory circuits.

Combinatorial networks of cell adhesion molecules and cell surface receptors drive fundamental aspects of neural circuit establishment and function. However, the intracellular signals orchestrated by these cell surface complexes remain less understood. Here, we report that the Gα12/13 pathway lies downstream of several GPCRs with critical synaptic functions.

A systematic review of qualitative studies examining barriers and facilitators to orthopaedic surgeon engagement with patient-reported outcome measures data.

Background: Orthopaedic surgeon engagement with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data has not been comprehensively evaluated, despite increasing uptake of orthopaedic PROMs programmes globally. The aim of this review was to systematically identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative evidence on barriers and facilitators to orthopaedic surgeons' engagement with PROMs data and their use of these data to support clinical practice.

Methods: Six databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE CENTRAL, PSYCINFO, CINAHL and EMCARE) were searched from January 2000-March 2024 to identify potentially eligible qualitative studies.

Multi-omic analysis of biological aging biomarkers in long-term calorie restriction and endurance exercise practitioners: A cross-sectional study.

Calorie restriction (CR) and physical exercise (EX) are well-established interventions known to extend health span and lifespan in animal models. However, their impact on human biological aging remains unclear. With recent advances in omics technologies and biological age (BioAge) metrics, it is now possible to assess the impact of these lifestyle interventions without the need for long-term follow-up.

Management, outcomes and predictors of mortality of Cryptococcus infection in patients without HIV: a multicentre study in 46 hospitals from Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Limited data exist regarding outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients without HIV with few studies having compared outcomes of Cryptococcus gattii, versus C. neoformans, infection.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 46 Australian and New Zealand hospitals to determine the outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients without HIV diagnosed between 2015 and 2019, and compared outcomes of C.

Population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-an ASAP ECMO study.

This study aimed to describe the population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and to identify dosing regimens with a high likelihood of achieving effective exposures. Serial blood samples were collected over a single-dosing interval during ECMO. Total plasma concentrations were measured by a validated chromatographic assay.

Evolocumab in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: study protocol for a single-arm, phase II trial, and initial experience with use of a validated lipid biomarker to direct therapy.

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), primary and secondary resistance to current therapies remains. Elevated circulating sphingolipids are associated with poor outcomes in patients with mCRPC, including therapeutic resistance and shorter overall survival. PCPro is a clinically accessible, regulatory compliant plasma lipid biomarker of poor prognosis in mCRPC, which incorporates prognostic sphingolipids.

CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is safe and effective for intra-cardiac B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Introduction: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is highly effective in B-cell blood cancers, but there is limited data on its safety and efficacy in intra-cardiac lymphoma, due to the potential risks of cardiotoxicity and pseudo-progression.

Discussion: We discuss four high-risk cases that were managed with a multi-disciplinary approach, including baseline cardiac risk assessment and surveillance with multimodal cardiac imaging and serum cardiac biomarkers, elective supportive care in the intensive care unit, and early treatment of cytokine release syndrome.

Conclusion: CAR-T therapy can be effective and safe in the treatment of B-cell blood cancers with intra-cardiac disease.

Understanding rare genetic variants within the terminal pathway of complement system in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a common multifactorial disease of pregnancy. Dysregulation of complement activation is among emerging candidates responsible for disease pathogenesis. In a targeted exomic sequencing study of 609 women with preeclampsia and 2092 non-preeclamptic controls, we identified 14 variants within nine genes coding for components of the membrane attack complex (MAC, C5b-9) that are associated with preeclampsia.

ChatGPT as a patient education tool in colorectal cancer-An in-depth assessment of efficacy, quality and readability.

Aim: Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer-4 (ChatGPT-4) have made significant strides in generating human-like responses. Trained on an extensive corpus of medical literature, ChatGPT-4 has the potential to augment patient education materials. These chatbots may be beneficial to populations considering a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Usability of a smartphone application for patients with interstitial lung disease: Results from the Registry for Better Understanding of ILD (RE-BUILD) pilot study.

Background And Objective: Digital technologies offer opportunities for remote monitoring, increased patient engagement and incorporation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into interstitial lung disease (ILD) care and research. This study evaluated the usability and patient experience of the RE-BUILD (Registry for Better Understanding of ILD) application, an ILD-specific smartphone app.

Methods: Patients with ILD aged ≥18 years were recruited from three tertiary ILD centres to use the RE-BUILD app for 6 months.

Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report, 2023.

In Australia, both probable and laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) are reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). When compared to 2022, the number of IMD notifications in 2023 increased by 14% to 143. Laboratory confirmation of IMD occurred in 140/143 (98%) of these cases, with 64% (90/140) diagnosed by bacterial culture and 36% (50/140) by nucleic acid amplification testing.

Clinical outcomes of cardiogenic shock among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand from 2003 to 2022.

Purpose: Patients with Cardiogenic shock (CS) admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have high mortality rates. We aimed to investigate the changes patient characteristics and outcomes over time among patients admitted to the ICU with CS.

Methods: Retrospective study utilizing a large bi-national ICU database from 2003 to 2022.

The probability of detecting host-specific microbial source tracking markers in surface waters was strongly associated with method and season.

Fecal contamination of surface waters presents significant human health and environmental risks. While many methods for understanding fecal contamination cannot differentiate between human and animal sources, microbial source tracking (MST) marker methods are used to identify fecal sources. To understand how to best employ MST marker data for managing fecal contamination risks, the present study compiled previously collected MST marker data ( = 12,878 samples) from across North America; each sample in the data set had been tested for fecal contamination from one or more of five sources (avian, canine, human, ruminant, swine).

Balanced Electrolyte Solutions Versus 0.9% Saline for Kidney Transplantation: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Perioperative intravenous fluids are administered to kidney transplant recipients to maintain hemodynamic stability and graft perfusion; however, the ideal fluid remains uncertain. Although 0.9% saline (saline) is commonly used, its high chloride content causes hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and may increase the risks of delayed graft function (DGF) and hyperkalemia.

Variation in initial biopsy technique for primary melanoma diagnosis: A population-based cohort study in New South Wales, Australia.

Background: Factors associated with nonadherence to guideline-recommended complete excision of suspicious cutaneous lesions are unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze patient, melanoma, and clinician factors associated with initial diagnostic biopsy type and determine whether unwarranted variation from guidelines occurred.

Methods: This population-based, cohort study involved the analysis of data from questionnaires completed by clinicians who managed patients with newly diagnosed, histopathologically confirmed primary invasive cutaneous melanomas reported to the New South Wales Cancer Registry between 2006 and 2007.

Radiomics of the Paranasal Sinuses: A Systematic Review of Computer-Assisted Techniques to Assess Computed Tomography Radiological Data.

Background: Radiomics is a quantitative approach to medical imaging, aimed to extract features into large datasets. By using artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies, large radiomic data can be analysed and translated into meaningful clinical applications. In rhinology, there is heavy reliance on computed tomography (CT) imaging of the paranasal sinus for diagnostics and assessment of treatment outcomes.

Multiple Myeloma Cells with Increased Proteasomal and ER Stress Are Hypersensitive to ATX-101, an Experimental Peptide Drug Targeting PCNA.

: To examine the regulatory role of PCNA in MM, we have targeted PCNA with the experimental drug ATX-101 in three commercial cell lines (JJN3, RPMI 1660, AMO) and seven in-house patient-derived cell lines with a more primary cell-like phenotype (TK9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 18) and measured the systemic molecular effects. : We have used a multi-omics untargeted approach, measuring the gene expression (transcriptomics), a subproteomics approach measuring mainly signalling proteins and proteins in complex with these (signallomics) and quantitative metabolomics. These results are supplemented with traditional analysis, e.

Short-Term Effectiveness of a Stepped-Care Model to Address Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Patients With Early-Stage Melanoma.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the Melanoma Care Programme when implemented into routine clinical practice coupled with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) screening and a stepped-care model of intervention delivery.

Methods: Using a Type-I hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, individuals with stage 0-II melanoma and a Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory FCR severity score of ≥ 13 were offered the Melanoma Care Programme. The programme included a psychoeducational booklet and 3 to 5 psychotherapeutic telehealth sessions with a clinical psychologist, timed around routine dermatological appointments.

The epidemiology of notifiable diseases in Australia and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2012-2022.

Background: Infectious disease surveillance tracks disease epidemiology and informs prevention and control. Public health measures implemented in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2022) affected infectious disease epidemiology. We examined notifiable disease epidemiology in Australia from 2012 to 2022, evaluating disease trends and pandemic impacts.

Cognitive and behavioural therapy for insomnia in the treatment of adolescent insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Insomnia is common in adolescents with associated negative health consequences. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia interventions on insomnia symptoms and subjective sleep quality in adolescents aged 10-19 years. Key electronic databases, including CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus, were systematically searched from inception to October 2024, and five randomised controlled trials met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis.