Endostatin as a biomarker of systemic sclerosis: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The critical role played by vascular dysfunction and ineffective angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc) suggests that circulating biomarkers reflecting these alterations may be useful in the clinical evaluation of this patient group. We sought to address this issue by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating a such candidate biomarker, endostatin, an endogenous glycoprotein exerting anti-angiogenic effects, in SSc patients and healthy controls.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from inception to 27 May 2024.

Paramedic assessment of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital environment: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to develop a comprehensive collection of information about the current processes for paramedics assessing and referring suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital environment.

Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 are frequently encountered by paramedics and ambulance service clinicians. Increased demand on ambulance services has resulted in many of these services developing alternative referral pathways to avoid unnecessary conveyance to emergency departments.

A historico-medical perspective on ancient epidemics and their impact on past human societies.

The present article reviews the major historical plague epidemics that characterised human history by combining data derived from historical sources and biomedical evidence emerged in recent years thanks to advancements of palaeogenetics and palaeopathology. Notes are offered on the Plague of Athens, the Antonine Plague, the Plague of Cyprian, the Justinian Plague, the Black Death down to more recent centuries and presenting key aspects that continued to be preserved over time and would also partly characterise the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Feasibility and psychometric quality of smartphone administered cognitive ecological momentary assessments in women with metastatic breast cancer.

Objective: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is associated with burdensome side effects, including cognitive changes that require ongoing monitoring. Cognitive ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) allow for assessment of individual cognitive functioning in natural environments and can be administered via smartphones. Accordingly, we sought to establish the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a commercially available cognitive EMA platform.

Consumer perspectives of the group itself in group-delivered programs for people with chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Group-delivered programs for chronic pain are evidence-based and frequently used. The contribution of group factors to outcomes is unclear and there are no integrated findings on consumer perceptions of the group itself in programs for people with chronic pain. The aim of this systematic review was to search and synthesise qualitative data specifically related to the group itself in studies investigating group-delivered programs for people with chronic pain (PROSPERO, CRD42023382447).

Metabolic reprogramming, malignant transformation and metastasis: lessons from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and prostate cancer.

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, crucial for malignant transformation and metastasis. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and prostate cancer exhibit similar metabolic adaptations, particularly in glucose and lipid metabolism. Understanding this metabolic plasticity is crucial for identifying mechanisms contributing to metastasis.

Professional judgement: a social practice perspective on a multiple mini-interview for specialty training selection.

Background: Interviewers' judgements play a critical role in competency-based assessments for selection such as the multiple-mini-interview (MMI). Much of the published research focuses on the psychometrics of selection and the impact of rater subjectivity. Within the context of selecting for entry into specialty postgraduate training, we used an interpretivist and socio-constructivist approach to explore how and why interviewers make judgments in high stakes selection settings whilst taking part in an MMI.

From Traditional to Cutting-Edge: Transforming Pulmonary Valve Assessment With Advanced Echocardiography Techniques.

The pulmonary valve (PV), although often less emphasized than other heart valves, is crucial for cardiac function and hemodynamics. Historically, the PV has been underrepresented in echocardiographic assessments due to its rare involvement in pathological conditions, particularly in adults. Additionally, the anatomical position of the PV makes it one of the most challenging valves to visualize using conventional echocardiography.

Assessment of Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) 2015 guideline adherence in medical imaging diagnostic accuracy studies published in 2023.

Background: The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) 2015 guideline facilitates evaluation of key aspects of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies and their findings, including the risk of bias and applicability of findings.

Objective: To evaluate the completeness of reporting in medical imaging DTA research in a sample of studies published in 2023.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search of Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify medical imaging DTA studies published between January - June 2023 that assessed one or more index imaging tests compared to a reference standard and reported test performance using relevant outcome measures.

Real-World Treatment Patterns and Healthcare Resource Use for Patients with Myelofibrosis: Results from the METER Study.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that was most commonly treated with hydroxyurea (HU) prior to approval of ruxolitinib (RUX), now the standard of care. Factors that influence changes in MF treatment in real-world settings are not well understood. The METER study (NCT05444972) was a multi-country retrospective chart review of MF treatment patterns, treatment effectiveness, and healthcare resource utilization.

Treatments and Treatment Predictors in Patients With Substance Use Disorders and Comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: First Results From the International Naturalistic Cohort Study of ADHD and SUD (INCAS).

Treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with a substance use disorder (SUD) and comorbid ADHD (SUD +ADHD) may have positive effects on the outcome of both conditions, but controversy exists regarding the preferred ADHD treatment in these patients. Little is known about the treatments that are provided for these patients in routine addiction care practice and the factors that are associated with treatment provision. To describe the treatments provided in everyday clinical practice and to explore factors associated with ADHD treatment provision in patients with SUD +ADHD.

Which is the Superior Thoracolumbar Injury Classification Tool? TLICS Versus AOSpine 2013: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic Literature Review.

Objectives: To address whether TLICS or AOSpine is best used in clinical practice through assessment of interobserver and intraobserver reliability, agreement, and imaging modality performance.

Methods: This systematic literature review was reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Paving the way for quality assured, decentralised point-of-care testing for infectious disease in primary care - Real world lessons from remote Australia.

Introduction: Decentralized molecular testing for infectious disease diagnosis at the point-of-care (POC) is critical to address inequities in access to timely, informed health care. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand, development and adoption of POC tests for infectious diseases globally. This has provided opportunities to maximize the individual benefits and public health impact of POC testing, particularly in remote and resource-limited primary care settings.

Role of locoregional therapy including liver transplantation in liver-only metastatic colorectal cancer: a review paper.

Introduction: Resection of primary tumor and liver metastases is the gold standard for colorectal cancer with liver-only metastases (CRLM). Although treatment options have expanded to enable conversion of unresectable to resectable CRLM, about 40% of patients will have definitively unresectable disease. Major advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive protocols and patient selection criteria for liver transplantation have resulted in improved outcomes.

Clinical correlations of serum anti-dsDNA immunoglobulin subfamilies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an extremely heterogenous autoimmune disorder. A key biomarker, the double stranded (ds) DNA autoantibody, provides diagnostic specificity for SLE. We analyzed anti-dsDNA by mass spectrometry (MS) to determine if ascertaining the autoantibody's heavy chain variable region (IGHV) may hold any clinical relevance.

Usability testing of a palliative care information resource - outcomes from the formative evaluation of the CarerHelp Toolkit prototype.

CarerHelp is an online resource supporting Australian family carers providing palliative care to loved ones at home. To confidently care for a dying person, family carers require access to evidence-based resources, accessible day or night when healthcare professionals or services are unavailable. Given carer diversity, usability evaluations assist online developers in shaping information experiences to family carer's needs and abilities.

Features of effective hospital fall prevention trials: an intervention component analysis.

Background: Falls in hospitals continue to burden patients, staff, and health systems. Prevention approaches are varied, as well as their success at preventing falls. Intervention component analysis (ICA) is useful in indicating important features associated with successful interventions in sets of trial with high heterogeneity.

Quality and Safety Indicators for Care Transitions by Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

Objective: To identify quality and safety indicators routinely used to monitor, evaluate, and improve care transitions for older adults globally.

Design: A scoping literature review.

Setting And Participants: This review identified indicators used internationally to monitor and evaluate the quality and safety of care transitions by older adults.

Outcomes of Del Nido and hyperkalemic blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery with prolonged aortic cross-clamp times★.

Background: The utility and uptake of Del Nido cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery is rapidly increasing. Cases with prolonged aortic cross-clamp times necessitate multi-dosing however an understanding of safe ischaemic times and definitive guidelines in this domain are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of our DNC strategy by comparing post-operative troponin profiles and clinical outcomes between Del Nido and hyperkalaemic cardioplegia for cases with aortic cross-clamp times of greater than 90 min.

Anakinra in relapsing polychondritis: a case report and review of the literature.

Relapsing polychondritis is rare and affects non-synovial fibrocartilage. Currently, there is a paucity of treatment algorithms, especially for those with refractory disease. A middle-aged man presented with polychondritis affecting the nose, ears, joints, and larynx.

The living centre: an innovative open-access model of breast cancer survivorship care.

People affected by breast cancer experience a multitude of toxicities and unmet needs across physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and economic domains that adversely impact their quality of life. High-quality and diverse supportive care is required to improve outcomes and rehabilitation for people affected by breast cancer. However, the availability and access to high-quality supportive care services is limited due to factors including cost and demand.

Quality of life and quality of care experience in Australian residential aged care: a retrospective cohort study of 1,772 residents.

Background: In April 2023, quality of life (QOL) and quality of care experience (QCE) indicators were introduced as mandatory indicators in Australian residential aged care (RAC) to measure and monitor wellbeing and consumer experience respectively. In this study, we used data for the initial four months after their introduction to describe QOL and QCE scores, explore related factors and assess variations by completion mode and facility.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using electronic data (Mar-Jun 2023) from 1,772 residents in 22 RAC facilities in metropolitan Sydney, Australia.

Sex and gender as predictors for allograft and patient-relevant outcomes after kidney transplantation.

Background: Sex, as a biological construct, and gender, defined as the cultural attitudes and behaviours attributed by society, may be associated with allograft loss, death, cancer, and rejection. Other factors, such as recipient age and donor sex, may modify the association between sex/gender and post-transplant outcomes.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the prognostic effects of recipient sex and, separately, gender as independent predictors of graft loss, death, cancer, and allograft rejection following kidney or simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation.