The Application of Hydrogels in the Treatment of Intrauterine Adhesions.

Intrauterine Adhesions (IUA) are a significant cause of infertility and miscarriage, often resulting from trauma to the endometrium. While hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is the primary treatment, the use of hydrogels as anti-adhesion barriers and drug delivery systems is gaining traction for improving patient outcomes. This review aims to explore various hydrogel types, their role in tissue repair, and the integration of stem cell therapy.

"I'm still a me:" challenges and changes to the relational-self following the onset of aphasia, a grounded theory study.

Purpose: People with post-stroke aphasia experience relationship changes which can lead to an altered relational self. The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of a group of people with post-stroke aphasia regarding changes to the relational self.

Method: A constructivist grounded theory approach was used.

Appropriateness of lumbar spine imaging in patients presenting to the emergency department with low back pain in a Western Australian tertiary hospital.

Background: The Australian Rheumatology Association identified the use of imaging in patients with low back pain without indication of serious pathology as a low-value practice.

Aims: To determine the appropriateness of diagnostic lumbar spine imaging requests in patients with low back pain presenting to a Western Australian hospital's emergency department.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all adult patients (18 years and older) who presented with low back pain to the Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency department from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020.

Guidance for Introducing the Tobacco-Free Generation Policy.

This article serves as a guide to the Tobacco-Free Generation policy (TFG) for policy-makers, drawing on experiences of negotiations regarding TFG in a wide number of jurisdictions. It explains the underlying concept: the highly addictive nature of nicotine prompts policy focus on preventing initial use by forbidding sales to those born after a prescribed cut-off birthdate, while resisting prohibition for those in older cohorts who may already be nicotine-dependent. The policy signals that there is no safe age for tobacco products.

Atomically Dispersed Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon Catalysts for Acidic Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Designing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under demanding acidic environments plays a critical role in advancing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts with atomically dispersed metals have gained attention for their affordability, excellent catalytic performance, and distinctive features including consistent active sites and high atomic utilization. Over the past decade, significant achievements have been made in this field.

Examination of Methods to Estimate Productivity Losses in an Economic Evaluation: Using Foodborne Illness as a Case Study.

Background: Cost-utility analyses commonly use two primary methods to value productivity: the human capital approach (HCA) and the friction cost approach (FCA). Another less frequently used method is the willingness-to-pay (WTP) approach, which estimates the monetary value individuals assign to avoiding an illness. In the context of foodborne illnesses (FBI), productivity loss represents one of the most significant economic impacts, particularly in developed nations.

Individual variability in the phenology of an asynchronous penguin species induces consequences on breeding and carry-over effects.

Phenology is a major component of animals' breeding, as they need to adjust their breeding timing to match optimal environmental conditions. While the effects of shifting phenology are well-studied on populations, few studies emphasise its ecological causes and consequences at the inter-individual level. Using a 20-year monitoring of more than 2500 breeding events from ~ 500 breeding little penguins (Eudyptula minor), a very asynchronously breeding seabird, we investigated the consequences of late breeding on present and next breeding events.

Investigating digital determinants shaping pharmacists' preparedness for interoperability and health informatics practice evolution: a systematic review.

Background: Fragmented healthcare systems hinder pharmacists' access to comprehensive patient data, limiting their clinical role and posing health risks. Enhancing system interoperability and evaluating factors influencing pharmacists' readiness for technology-driven practice change is a crucial step.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to investigate the digital determinants of pharmacists' readiness for technology-oriented practice change and interoperability.

Dental care and services of children and young people with cerebral palsy in Australia: A comprehensive survey of oral health-related quality of life.

Aims: To investigate caregiver-reported dental care experiences and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Between May and August 2023, caregivers of children and young people from three Australian states were invited to complete questionnaires, including the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP-SF 19).

Results: Sixty-eight caregivers participated in the survey.

Rescue therapy after failed thrombectomy in medium/distal vessel occlusions: A retrospective analysis of an international, multi-center registry.

Background: There are limited therapeutic options in cases of failed reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [mTICI] score < 2b) after stent-retriever and/or aspiration based endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. Despite the absence of data supporting its use, rescue therapy (balloon angioplasty and/or stent implantation) is often utilized in such cases. Studies are limited to large vessel occlusions, while the outcomes and complications after rescue therapy in medium/distal vessel occlusions (MDVOs) have not been reported.

Associations between structural brain changes and blood neurofilament light chain protein in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Objective: Around 30% of people with schizophrenia are refractory to antipsychotic treatment (treatment-resistant schizophrenia). Abnormal structural neuroimaging findings, in particular volume and thickness reductions, are often described in schizophrenia. Novel biomarkers of active brain pathology such as neurofilament light chain protein are now expected to improve current understanding of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.

Behind the scenes of EQA-characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

The main stakeholders in external quality assessment (EQA) programs are the participants, in whose interests these challenges are ultimately organised. EQA schemes in the medical field contribute to improving the quality of patient care by evaluating the analytical and diagnostic quality of laboratory and point-of-care tests (POCT) by independent third parties and, if necessary, pointing out erroneous measurement results and analytical or diagnostic improvement potential. Other benefits include the option of using EQA samples for other important laboratory procedures, such as the verification or validation of diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MDs), a contribution to the estimation of measurement uncertainty, a means of training and educating laboratory staff through educational EQA programmes or samples, or even for independent and documented monitoring of staff competence, such as on samples with unusual or even exceptional characteristics.

Addressing Wicked Human Services vs Wicked Social-Ecological Problems: A Self-Transcending Constructions Approach.

This study takes a phenomenon-based framework and the self-transcending constructions approach to explain why wicked human services problems need to be addressed differently than wicked social-ecological problems. Based on the study's findings, a new approach for addressing wicked human services problems is proposed. In Australia, a Systemic Innovation Lab approach that incorporates a customized software tool has been used to address social-ecological wicked problems.

Land Use Change Consistently Reduces α- But Not β- and γ-Diversity of Bees.

Land use change threatens global biodiversity and compromises ecosystem functions, including pollination and food production. Reduced taxonomic α-diversity is often reported under land use change, yet the impacts could be different at larger spatial scales (i.e.

Barriers and facilitators for female practitioners in orthopaedic training and practice: a scoping review.

Background: Despite advances in medical education and professional opportunities, orthopaedic surgery remains the least gender-diverse medical specialty, with women significantly underrepresented globally. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the barriers and facilitators encountered by females in orthopaedic surgery training and practice.

Methods: A comprehensive search of Medline (OVID), Scopus, Embase, Emcare, and CINAHL was performed from inception to 14 July 2024.

The Adelaide Score: prospective implementation of an artificial intelligence system to improve hospital and cost efficiency.

Background: The Adelaide Score is an artificial intelligence system that integrates objective vital signs and laboratory tests to predict likelihood of hospital discharge.

Methods: A prospective implementation trial was conducted at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in South Australia. The Adelaide Score was added to existing human, artificial intelligence, and other technological infrastructure for the first 28 days of April 2024 (intervention), and outcomes were compared using parametric, non-parametric and health economic analyses, to those in the first 28 days of April 2023 (control).

Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children With Down Syndrome in an Australian Population.

Objectives: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to be higher in children with Down syndrome (DS) than the general pediatric population, with lower rates of surgical cure. This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of OSA and evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention for OSA in a cohort of Australian children with DS.

Methodology: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 156 patients with DS from 0 to 18 years who had undergone overnight, attended polysomnography (PSG) at Sydney Children's Hospital from January 2010 to July 2023.

THE Key Elements of the Exercise Prescription Process in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation in a One-On-One Setting. A Delphi Study of Australian Physiotherapy Specialists.

Background: Clinical decision making to develop an exercise program and then prescribe that program should be based on the best evidence available. However, little evidence exists to guide the development of an exercise program, determining optimal dosage parameters or for effective prescription techniques to achieve best patient outcomes possible.

Objective: To gain consensus from expert clinical physiotherapists in the field of musculoskeletal rehabilitation on key recommendations for developing and prescribing effective exercise programs in musculoskeletal rehabilitation in a one-on-one setting.

How Useful is Nuchal Translucency in Detecting Chromosomal Abnormalities Missed by Genome-Wide NIPT and What Measurement Threshold Should Be Used?

Introduction: Genome-wide non-invasive prenatal testing (gwNIPT) has screening limitations for detectable genetic conditions and cannot detect microdeletions/microduplications (MD) or triploidy. Nuchal translucency (NT) increases with gestation and with genetic or structural abnormalities. This study aims to determine the utility of NT measurement in detecting genetic abnormalities not identified by gwNIPT and the optimal NT threshold value.

Source Causal Connectivity Noninvasively Predicting Surgical Outcomes of Drug-Refractory Epilepsy.

Aims: Drug-refractory epilepsy (DRE) refers to the failure of controlling seizures with adequate trials of two tolerated and appropriately chosen anti-seizure medications (ASMs). For patients with DRE, surgical intervention becomes the most effective and viable treatment, but its success rate is unsatisfactory at only approximately 50%. Predicting surgical outcomes in advance can provide additional guidance to clinicians.

Nebulized Lipid Nanoparticles Based on Degradable Ionizable Glycerolipid for Potent Pulmonary mRNA Delivery.

As an advanced nucleic acid therapeutical modality, mRNA can express any type of protein in principle and thus holds great potential to prevent and treat various diseases. Despite the success in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, direct local delivery of mRNA into the lung by inhalation would greatly reinforce the treatment of pulmonary pathogens and diseases. Herein, we developed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) from degradable ionizable glycerolipids for potent pulmonary mRNA delivery via nebulization.