Effects of Anatomical Variation on Ganglion Cell and Nerve Fibre Layer Evaluation by Optical Coherence Tomography.

: The automated analyses of optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the retina occasionally suggest the presence of tissue deficits when no visual field defects can be detected. This study was made to find the sources of such alerts. Data from a population-based cohort of 360 participants aged 30-80 years was analysed for the anatomical sources of alerts after the extensive exclusion of participants where any suspicion of abnormality could be raised.

Total intravenous or inhalational volatile anaesthesia and survival after colorectal cancer surgery: a Swedish national registry study.

Introduction: Retrospective studies suggest that inhalational volatile anaesthetic agents may contribute to an increased risk of metastasis and reduction in survival rates when used during cancer surgery. This relationship may vary between cancer types due to different tumour biology and differences in surgical procedures. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the type of anaesthetic used for maintenance of anaesthesia (propofol or inhalational volatile anaesthetic agent) and survival in patients with stage 1-3 colorectal cancer who underwent resection surgery under general anaesthesia in Sweden between 2014 and 2019.

Early Reduction of FeNO on Anti-IL5 Biologics Is Associated With Clinical Remission of Severe Asthma.

Background: In patients with severe asthma, treatment with anti-interleukin-5 (IL-5) biologics can lead to a reduction in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in some patients. The clinical implications of varying FeNO responses to anti-IL-5 biologics remain unclear. This study aims to categorise patients based on their FeNO response to anti-IL-5 biologics and evaluate the association of these categories with clinical outcomes.

Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous cefazolin as an alternative to intravenous administration.

Background: Subcutaneous (SC) administration of antibiotics is a practical alternative to IV administration. Cefazolin is widely used for skin and soft tissue infections and other complex infections by IV administration.

Methods: In this prospective, cross-over self-controlled study, a single dose of SC cefazolin was administered to 15 stable inpatients established on IV cefazolin as part of their management plan.

Inter- and intrarater reliability of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System in Sweden.

Purpose: To evaluate inter- and intrarater reliability, of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) for children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in Sweden.

Methods: Four speech and language pathologists rated EDACS from videos of 30 individuals with CP, 3 to 62 years, (mean 21 y, 10 m, SD 18 y, 6 m), six at each level of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Inter- and intrarater reliability were estimated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval.

Different measures of ventilatory efficiency in preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing are useful for predicting postoperative complications in abdominal cancer surgery.

Background: Ventilation as a function of elimination of CO during incremental exercise (VE/VCO slope) has been shown to be a valuable predictor of complications and death after major non-cardiac surgery. VE/VCO slope and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO) are both affected by ventilation/perfusion mismatch, but research on the utility of PetCO for risk stratification in major abdominal surgery is limited.

Aim: We aimed to determine the correlation between VE/VCO slope and PetCO measured during preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and its association with major cardiopulmonary complications (MCPCs) or death following oesophageal and other major abdominal cancer surgeries.

Association between the early or late onset of gestational diabetes mellitus with neonatal adverse outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The literature has been evolving to standardize gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis and terminology. The significance of timing in diagnosing hyperglycemia during pregnancy is underlined by evidence that women diagnosed at 24 weeks of gestation or earlier are at a higher risk of developing postpartum prediabetes, but its association with adverse outcomes for the newborn is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between early-onset GDM and adverse outcomes in newborns and neonates, comparing it with the late-onset GDM model.

Genomic virulence markers are associated with severe outcomes in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) bloodstream infection (BSI) is a common healthcare-associated complication linked to antimicrobial resistance and high mortality. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel anti-virulence agents, yet studies on how bacterial virulence affects PA infection outcomes is conflicting and data from real-world clinical populations is limited.

Methods: We studied a multicentre cohort of 773 adult patients with PA BSI consecutively collected during 7-years from sites in Europe and Australia.

Mother-newborn couplet care and the expectations, concerns and educational needs of healthcare professionals: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Our aim was to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) expectations, concerns and educational needs regarding preparing for implementing the concept of couplet care, keeping newborns in need of intensive care together with their mothers in need of obstetrical care.

Design: A qualitative focus group study based on semistructured interviews. We analysed the data using reflexive thematic analysis.

Clinicians' views on implementing enhanced recovery after surgery: a descriptive qualitative study.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have existed for the past three decades; these protocols may improve patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Yet, ERAS is difficult to implement, and there has been limited focus on processes used to promote ERAS use. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and describe the barriers and enablers to implementing ERAS.

Routine blood biochemical biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Systematic review and cohort analysis.

: Blood biochemical biomarkers, including urate, creatinine, albumin, and creatine kinase, have been shown to be useful in ALS. To provide further information about the roles of these four biomarkers roles we performed a systematic review. In addition, we also performed a new study of the role of these biomarkers in predicting survival, using data from our local ALS cohort.

Pathogen genomics in healthcare: overcoming barriers to proactive surveillance.

Pathogen genomic surveillance in healthcare has the potential to enhance patient safety by detecting outbreaks earlier, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Despite benefits, there are barriers to adoption, including cost, expertise, and lack of standardized methodologies and incentives. This commentary advocates for 1) investment from healthcare payors, public health, and regulatory bodies and 2) additional research on genomic surveillance for improving patient outcomes and reducing infections.

Diagnosis and management of invasive fungal diseases by next-generation sequencing: are we there yet?

Introduction: Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are a serious threat to immunocompromised patients. Routine diagnostic methods have limited performance in identifying IFDs. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), including metagenomic NGS (mNGS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), recently emerged as diagnostic methods that could provide more accurate and timely diagnoses and management of IFDs.

Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol.

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms, transmitted via mosquito bites. Significant global efforts have led to the interruption of LF transmission, with eight of the 16 previously endemic Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) validated by WHO as having eliminated the disease as a public health problem. Post-validation surveillance (PVS) is recommended to verify the absence of a resurgence in transmission; however, there are no guidelines on how to implement such surveillance effectively.

Evaluation of NUN-004, a Novel Engineered Ephrin Antagonist, in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Phase I/Ib, Open-Label, Escalating Dose and Extended Access Study.

Background: Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma A4 (EphA4) is implicated in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. EphA4 fusion protein (EphA4-Fc) inhibits EphA4 function in vivo but is too short-lived for prolonged therapy. NUN-004 (mEphA4-Fc) is a modified EphA4-Fc engineered for an extended half-life.

A review of antimicrobial stability testing guidance for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy programmes: is it time for global harmonization of testing frameworks?

Antimicrobial stability is an important consideration for treatment planning and service delivery in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programmes. Regulation of stability assessment varies by region, and conflicting guidance and standards exist. This leads to disparity of equity in access and limits availability of certain antimicrobials for managing infections in the outpatient setting.

Predictors for choosing doravirine-based versus INSTI-based regimen in ART-naïve and ART-experienced people with HIV in real-world setting: Data from the Icona cohort.

Rationale: Doravirine (DOR) is an attractive new option both for ART-naïve people with HIV (PWH) and those with suppressed HIV-RNA who seek treatment simplification. We used real-world data to examine the pattern of use of DOR-containing regimens in these settings.

Methods: All PWH enrolled in the Icona cohort after January 2020 who initiated a three-drug regimen (3-DR) with DOR or an integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimen as first antiretroviral therapy (ART) or when switching ART, with HIV-RNA ≤50 copies/mL, were included.

Using FRET to Define Cdk1-Dependent Ordering of Events During Exit from Second Meiotic M-Phase in Oocytes.

Exit from M-phase requires a precise sequence of molecular events for successful completion, with errors in the process resulting in cell death or aneuploidy, a characteristic feature of cancer and the leading cause of pregnancy failure. Exit from the second meiotic division (MII) in oocytes is a unique event triggered by sperm, involving female anaphase II as well as both male and female pronuclear formation. Very little is known about how these events involving two distinct cell types are coordinated.

Investigating behaviours and attitudes regarding recommended vaccination in adults 50 years and above in Australia.

Background Vaccination is important for adults to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases. In Australia, many vaccines are recommended and funded under the Australian National Immunisation Program. However, a number of vaccines are recommended for adults but not funded.

New insights into the impact of bed rest on lumbopelvic muscles: A computer-vision model approach to measure fat fraction changes.

Space agencies plan crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. However, microgravity-induced lumbopelvic deconditioning, characterized by an increased fat fraction (FF) due to reduced physical activity, poses a significant challenge to spine health. This study investigates the spatial distribution of FF in the lumbopelvic muscles to identify the most affected regions by deconditioning, utilizing a computer-vision model and a tile-based approach to assess FF changes.