Making waves: Harnessing anammox bacteria coupled with dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium for sustainable wastewater management.

Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) which converts nitrite and ammonium to dinitrogen gas is an energy-efficient nitrogen removal process. One of the bottlenecks for anammox application in wastewater treatment is the stable supply of nitrite for anammox bacteria. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is a process that converts nitrate to nitrite and then to ammonium.

Associations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with neuropsychological outcomes and cerebral white matter hyperintensities in older adults at risk of dementia.

Inflammation is becoming increasingly recognised as a core feature of dementia with evidence indicating that its role may vary and adapt across different stages of the neurodegenerative process. This study aimed to investigate whether the associations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with neuropsychological performance (verbal memory, executive function, processing speed) and cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) differed between older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD;  = 179) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI;  = 286). Fasting serum hs-CRP concentrations were grouped into low (<1.

International trends in the implementation of assessment for learning : Implications for policy and practice in a post-COVID world.

This paper discusses the evolution of assessment for learning (AfL) across the globe with particular attention given to Western educational jurisdictions. Scholars from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States discuss prominent assessment reforms within their respective countries over the last decade. Particular attention is given to the impact of the pandemic as well as technological developments for classroom assessment policies and practices.

Acceptability of interactive post-endodontic restoration decision making application among undergraduate dental students.

Background/purpose: Selecting an appropriate coronal restoration after root canal treatment requires careful consideration, however, there is a lack of established web-based tool that is based on clear guidelines for suitable post-endodontic restorations. Hence, we aimed to design and determine the acceptability of an interactive application to aid the decision making process for post-endodontic restoration among the undergraduate dental students.

Materials And Methods: A web-based post-endodontic restoration decision making interactive application, ( was developed after a detailed review of available literature.

Licorice-Induced Pseudohyperaldosteronism: A Case Report.

We present a 71-year-old man admitted to the intensive care unit with severe hypokalemia after ingesting licorice-containing confectionary over 6 weeks. Excess consumption of licorice with its active metabolite glycyrrhizic acid may precipitate pseudohyperaldosteronism with life-threatening hypokalemia. Public awareness and measures such as warning labels are needed to warn against excessive consumption.

Global Perspectives on Returning Genetic Research Results in Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: In the era of precision medicine, genetic test results have become increasingly relevant in the care of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). While large research consortia are performing widespread research genetic testing to accelerate discoveries, debate continues about whether, and to what extent, the results should be returned to patients. Ethically, it is imperative to keep participants informed, especially when findings are potentially actionable.

Diagnosing Late-Onset Tay-Sachs Through Next Generation Sequencing and Functional Enzyme Testing: From Genes to Enzymes.

Tay-Sachs disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive neurologic impairment due to pathogenic variants in the gene that codes for the alpha subunit of β-hexosaminidase. We report 2 cases of adult-onset progressive weakness, ataxia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in a 30-year-old man and 37-year-old woman. Both patients had compound heterozygosity in the gene with 4 distinct variants.

Enhancing Disaster Preparedness Through Tabletop Disaster Exercises: A Scoping Review of Benefits for Health Workers and Students.

Background: Tabletop Disaster Exercise (TDE) is a unique learning method through simulation designed to improve disaster preparedness. It is used every year to train health workers and students in disaster preparedness. However, no review has summarized the potential of TDE.

Chickpea displays a temporal growth response to Mesorhizobium strains under well-watered and drought conditions.

The relative performance of rhizobial strains could depend on their resource allocation, environmental conditions, and host genotype. Here, we used a high-throughput shoot phenotyping to investigate the effects of Mesorhizobium strain on the growth dynamics, nodulation and bacteroid traits with four chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties grown under different water regimes in an experiment including four nitrogen sources (two Mesorhizobium strains, and two uninoculated controls: nitrogen fertilised and unfertilised) under well-watered and drought conditions. We asked three questions.

Design of a graphene-based chiral trifunctional tunable terahertz metasurface.

Driven by the pressing demand for integration and miniaturization within the terahertz (THz) spectrum, this research introduces an innovative approach to construct chiral structures using dichroism as the target function. This initiative aims to tackle the prevalent issues of single-functionality, narrow application scope, and intricate design in conventional metasurfaces. The proposed multifunctional tunable metasurface employs a graphene-metal hybrid structure to address the critical constraints found in existing designs.

Interstitial Doping in Ultrafine Nanocrystals for Efficient and Durable Water Splitting.

Transition metal-based catalysts with high efficiency and stability for overall water splitting (OWS) offer significant potential for reducing green hydrogen production costs. Utilizing sputtering deposition technology, we propose a deposition-diffusion strategy to fabricate heterojunction coatings composed of ultrafine FeCoNi-C-N transition metal interstitial solid solution (TMISS) nanocrystals and amorphous nitrided carbon (NC) on the pre-deposited NC micro column arrays. The diffusion of C and N atoms results in the formation of uniformly distributed TMISS nanocrystals, with an average diameter of ~1.

Challenges in Care Provision for Children and Adolescents With Differences of Sex Development.

Objectives: The ideal model of care for individuals with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) continues to evolve, with multiple models proposed. This study aimed to explore current care models for individuals with DSD in Australia and New Zealand (NZ) and to identify clinician perceptions of gaps and barriers in current practice.

Methods: Cross-sectional anonymous online questionnaire, conducted via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software.

Exploring the Nutrition Care Journey of People Living With Obesity in Acute Care.

Background: Recent studies show a high prevalence in hospital populations and best practice evidence indicates that people living with obesity should receive dietetic advice. However, patients often do not receive this care in acute settings. Understanding the experiences of people living with obesity is crucial to designing successful strategies for management.

Identifying genetic differences between bipolar disorder and major depression through multiple genome-wide association analyses.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BPD) is difficult in clinical practice, with an average delay between symptom onset and diagnosis of about 7 years. A depressive episode often precedes the first manic episode, making it difficult to distinguish BPD from unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD).

Aims: We use genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) to identify differential genetic factors and to develop predictors based on polygenic risk scores (PRS) that may aid early differential diagnosis.

Conservation genomics within government led conservation planning: an Australian case study exploring cost and benefit for threatened flora.

The importance of conserving plant genetic diversity has been recognised since the 1980's, but genetic research tools for improving conservation remain largely absent from standard planning. Using an Australian case study framework of the New South Wales Government's Saving our Species program, we outline the costs and benefits associated with conducting genomic analysis within a conservation strategy to inform for example, taxonomic resolution, targeted monitoring, translocations and ex situ collections. Despite a reported sentiment that costs are prohibitive, our study identified that where genetics reports have been provided (32 to date), the cost of genetic sampling, analysis and advice is less than 10% of the total Government investment (SoS program) and will continue decreasing proportionally throughout the years as other management occurs.

Recent advances in HPV biotechnology: understanding host-virus interactions and cancer progression - a review.

Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women globally, posing a significant mortality risk. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary instigator of cervical cancer development, often alongside coinfection with other viruses, precipitating various malignancies. This study aimed to explore recent biotechnological advances in understanding HPV infection dynamics, host interactions, and its role in oncogenesis.

Conceptualising Centres of Clinical Excellence: A Scoping Review.

Objectives: Centres of clinical excellence (CoCE) are healthcare facilities that provide excellent healthcare. However, despite their increasing prevalence, it is unclear how CoCE are identified and monitored. This paper explores how CoCE has been described in the literature, including its defining characteristics and selection and monitoring processes.

Understanding the scale and nature of avoidable healthcare-associated harm for prisoners in England: protocol for a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Around 1 in 20 patients experience avoidable healthcare-associated harm worldwide. Despite longstanding concerns, there is insufficient information available about the safety of healthcare for prisoners. To address this, this study will investigate the scale and nature of avoidable healthcare-associated harm for prisoners in England.

Feasibility and acceptability of multiple methods of recording injecting drug use episode data among people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia: a pilot evaluation study protocol.

Introduction: Opioid overdose and blood-borne virus transmission are key health risks for people who inject drugs. Existing study methods that record data on injecting drug risks mostly rely on retrospective self-reporting that, while valid, are limited to being broad and subject to recall bias. The In-The-Moment-Expanded (ITM-Ex) study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of multiple novel data collection methods to capture in situ drug injecting data.

Incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema: a protocol for a living systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: Given the projected rise in the incidence of cancer treatment-related conditions, such as lymphoedema, and the limited research on lymphoedema in cancers with poor prognoses, there is a need for a better understanding of cancer-related lymphoedema incidence and associated risk factors across all types of cancers. The objectives of this review are (1) to produce a resource on an open-access platform that facilitates continuous update of incidence estimates and risk factors as evidence emerges, (2) to provide the most up-to-date estimate of the incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema and (3) to evaluate the strength and consistency of the association between lymphoedema and cancer treatment and non-treatment-related risk factors.

Methods And Analysis: A living systematic and grey literature search will be conducted to identify studies reporting the incidence, prevalence of lymphoedema or associated risk factors in individuals who have undergone treatment for any type of cancer.

Multicentre study conducted across centres in the USA, Europe and Australia to assess the safety and effectiveness of a bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults: a protocol for a pivotal, multicentre, open-label, single-arm study.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by blood oxygen desaturations and sleep disruptions manifesting undesirable consequences. Existing treatments including oral appliances, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy and surgically altering the anatomy of the pharynx have drawbacks including poor long-term adherence or often involving irreversible, invasive procedures. Bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is a new treatment for managing OSA, and this study is intended to determine whether an HNS system is a safe and effective treatment option for adults with OSA.

What are the general public's expectations about the likely duration of common acute infections? A cross-sectional survey of Australian residents.

Objectives: To explore the general public's expectations about the likely duration of acute infections that are commonly managed in primary care and if care is sought for these infections, reasons for doing so.

Design: A cross-sectional online survey.

Participants: A nationwide sample of 589 Australian residents, ≥18 years old with representative quotas for age and gender, recruited via an online panel provider.