Goal-Directed Rehabilitation Versus Standard Care for Individuals with Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxia: A Multicenter, Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Superiority Trial.

Objective: Rehabilitation is thought to reduce ataxia severity in individuals with hereditary cerebellar ataxia (HCA). This multicenter, randomized controlled superiority trial aimed to examine the efficacy of a 30-week goal-directed rehabilitation program compared with 30 weeks of standard care on function, ataxia, health-related quality of life, and balance in individuals with an HCA.

Methods: Individuals with an autosomal dominant or recessive ataxia (aged ≥15 years) were enrolled at 5 sites in Australia.

Pediatric physiotherapy management of airway clearance therapy and exercise: Data from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry.

Background: Regular airway clearance techniques (ACTs) and exercise are recommended for children with bronchiectasis, but current clinical practice and their predictors are unknown.

Objective: We aimed to describe current use of ACTs and exercise among Australian children with bronchiectasis and identify associated predictors.

Methods: Physiotherapy-specific data of 397 children (median age = 8 were extracted from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry.

Diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in adults: A position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-mediated interstitial lung disease (ILD) relating to specific occupational, environmental or medication exposures. Disease behaviour is influenced by the nature of exposure and the host response, with varying degrees of lung inflammation and fibrosis seen within individuals. The differentiation of HP from other ILDs is important due to distinct causes, pathophysiology, prognosis and management implications.

Bilateral Knee Effusions Secondary to Zoledronic Acid Infusion.

Intravenous zoledronic acid is an established and generally well tolerated form of antiresorptive therapy for osteoporosis. Although mild arthralgias are a well-documented manifestation of the acute phase response to intravenous bisphosphonates, more severe musculoskeletal reactions manifesting as debilitating pain and joint effusions have been rarely documented in the current literature. In this case report, we discuss the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed severe painful bilateral knee effusions within 1 week of her first zoledronic acid infusion for osteoporosis.

Comparing the efficacy of different embolisation materials in improving pain and fertility outcomes in patients with varicoceles: A systematic review.

Radiological embolisation has emerged as a safe and effective alternative to surgery for varicocele treatment. While systematic reviews have compared embolisation to surgery, attempts to compare different embolisation materials have been limited. The objective was to conduct a systematic review assessing the potential benefits of combining coils with sclerosants for varicocele embolisation on fertility, pain, recurrence and complication rates in male patients, as compared to using coils alone.

Efficacy of Gonadotropin Treatment for Induction of Spermatogenesis in Men With Pathologic Gonadotropin Deficiency: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a treatable cause of nonobstructive azoospermic male infertility. Gonadotropin treatment can successfully induce spermatogenesis in most patients, although comprehensive quantitative summary data on spermatogenic outcomes like those required to induce pregnancy is lacking in the literature.

Materials And Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes related to male reproductive function following gonadotropin treatment.

Gut Microbiota Features in Relation to Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Outcome in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background & Aims: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can induce remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, yet its efficacy needs improvement. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the current literature on microbial factors affecting outcome, as well as a meta-analysis on some of the largest datasets regarding composition.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched through August 2024 for relevant studies.

5α Reductase Deficiency-a Rare Cause of Ambiguous Genitalia and Gender Dysphoria.

We present a case of pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias, secondary to 5α-reductase deficiency presenting as gender dysphoria. This particular enzyme deficiency accounts for only a small number of disorders of sexual development cases worldwide. A feature of this disorder is the presence of ambiguous genitalia at birth followed by the development of male secondary sexual characteristics during puberty when testicular production of testosterone can compensate for previous low circulating levels of 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Navigating the Global Economic Landscape of Dialysis: A Summary of Expert Opinions from The 4th International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to be a significant global public health issue. The escalating burden of CKD is probably driven by the aging population and the rising prevalence of diabetes. CKD not only adversely impacts an individual's health and well-being, but also poses significant challenge on the economy of the society.

A study of professional practices, attitudes and barriers to blended tube feeding in Australia and New Zealand.

Aims: This study investigates the utilisation of blended tube feeding by health professionals in Australia and New Zealand, assessing factors influencing its implementation following the Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition blended tube feeding consensus statement.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting health professionals across Australia and New Zealand. The survey comprised 35-questions including multiple choice, Likert scales and open-ended responses, to gain insights into blended tube feeding practices and perspectives.

ChatGPT for Addressing Patient-centered Frequently Asked Questions in Glaucoma Clinical Practice.

Purpose: Large language models such as ChatGPT-3.5 are often used by the public to answer questions related to daily life, including health advice. This study evaluated the responses of ChatGPT-3.

The phageome of patients with ulcerative colitis treated with donor fecal microbiota reveals markers associated with disease remission.

Bacteriophages are influential within the human gut microbiota, yet they remain understudied relative to bacteria. This is a limitation of studies on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) where bacteriophages likely influence outcome. Here, using metagenomics, we profile phage populations - the phageome - in individuals recruited into two double-blind randomized trials of FMT in ulcerative colitis.

Support roles, carer burden, and decision-making preferences of carers of older adults with cancer.

Introduction: Older adults with cancer value the perspectives of significant others and their carers regarding decision-making about treatment. Understanding the support provided by carers, and their perspectives on involvement in treatment decision-making, can help us improve our communication with patients and their supports. We aimed to describe the roles, burden, and decision-making preferences of carers of older adults with cancer.

Muscular dystrophy as a cause of unilateral scapular winging.

Shoulder weakness with unilateral scapular winging is a common issue that initially presents to the general physician, sports physician or rheumatologist. Although most of these cases are neurogenic in nature, it is important to consider alternative causes for unilateral scapular winging. Muscular dystrophies can present with marked asymmetry, the most typical being facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD).