N-Terminal Capping of the αO-Conotoxin Analogue GeX-2 Improves the Serum Stability and Selectivity toward the Human α9α10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.

α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a promising nonopioid analgesic target, with α9α10 nAChR antagonists showing efficacy against chemotherapy-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. GeX-2, a potent analgesic conotoxin antagonist of α9α10 nAChRs, has limited serum stability. This study improved GeX-2 stability by capping its N-terminal with fatty acids or polyethylene glycol chains, which enhanced its serum stability but eliminated activity at G protein-coupled γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA) receptor-coupled Ca2.

Efficacy of Probiotics Compared With Pharmacological Treatments for Maintenance Therapy for Functional Constipation in Children: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Context: There has been an increase in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotics with various maintenance therapies, such as polyethylene glycol, lactulose, and mineral oil, to treat functional constipation in children.

Objective: The aim was to compare probiotics with all other oral maintenance therapies for functional constipation in children and rank all treatments in terms of effectiveness in a network meta-analysis.

Methods: RCTs were identified through systematically searching the MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, trial registries, and forward and backward citation searching.

Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of androgen measurement in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis to inform evidence-based guidelines.

Background: Biochemical hyperandrogenism is a hallmark and diagnostic feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the most accurate androgen measurement for assessing biochemical hyperandrogenism in PCOS diagnosis remains uncertain.

Objective And Rationale: This systematic review aimed to assess different androgen measures [including total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), free androgen index (FAI), androstenedione (A4), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)] for accuracy in diagnosing biochemical hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS, to inform the 2023 International PCOS Evidence-based Guidelines.

Silica Nanoparticles Decorated with Ceria Quantum Dots Modulate Intra- and Extracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Formation and Selectively Reduce Human A375 Melanoma Cell Proliferation.

Nanomaterials show great promise for cancer treatment. Nonetheless, most nanomaterials lack selectivity for cancer cells, damaging healthy ones. Cerium dioxide (ceria, CeO) nanoparticles have been shown to exert selective toxicity toward cancer cells due to the redox modulating properties they display as their size decreases.

Brain and heart activity during interactions with pet dogs: A portable electroencephalogram and heart rate variability study.

Dog ownership has been linked to numerous benefits to human health and wellbeing. However, due to the lack of previous research on changes to brain activity during interactions with pet dogs, the underlying psychophysiological mechanisms are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine changes in heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and electroencephalogram (EEG) power during interactions between dog owners and their pet dog.

Efficient fabrication of 3D bioprinted functional sensory neurons using an inducible Neurogenin-2 human pluripotent stem cell line.

Three-dimensional (3D) tissue models have gained recognition for their improved ability to mimic the native cell microenvironment compared to traditional two-dimensional models. This progress has been driven by advances in tissue-engineering technologies such as 3D bioprinting, a promising method for fabricating biomimetic living tissues. While bioprinting has succeeded in generating various tissues to date, creating neural tissue models remains challenging.

The economics of a national anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program for amateur football players: a Markov model analysis.

Objectives: To estimate the long term cost savings, return on investment, and gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) that could be achieved by a national anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention program for amateur football (soccer) players in Australia.

Study Design: Markov model decision analysis.

Setting, Participants: Two hypothetical scenarios including all amateur football players in Australia (340 253 players): no intervention, and a national ACL injury prevention program.

and genes display distinct expression profiles in neurons and astrocytes using 2D and 3D human pluripotent stem cell models.

Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a transcriptional repressor involved in neurodevelopment and neuroprotection. REST forms a complex with the REST corepressors, CoREST1, CoREST2, or CoREST3 (encoded by , , and , respectively). Emerging evidence suggests that the CoREST family can target unique genes independently of REST, in various neural and glial cell types during different developmental stages.

High-content analysis of proteostasis capacity in cellular models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Disrupted proteome homeostasis (proteostasis) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been a major focus of research in the past two decades. However, the proteostasis processes that become disturbed in ALS are not fully understood. Obtaining more detailed knowledge of proteostasis disruption in association with different ALS-causing mutations will improve our understanding of ALS pathophysiology and may identify novel therapeutic targets and strategies for ALS patients.

Association between plant-based diet quality and chronic kidney disease in Australian adults.

Objective: To examine associations between three different plant-based diet quality indices, chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence and related risk factors in a nationally representative sample of the Australian population.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Three plant-based diet scores were calculated using data from two 24-h recalls: an overall plant-based diet index (PDI), a healthy PDI (hPDI) and an unhealthy PDI (uPDI).

Life, death, and statins: association of statin prescriptions and survival in older general practice patients.

Aims: This study serves as an exemplar to demonstrate the scalability of a research approach using survival analysis applied to general practice electronic health record data from multiple sites. Collection of these data, the subsequent analysis, and the preparation of practice-specific reports were performed using a bespoke distributed data collection and analysis software tool.

Background: Statins are a very commonly prescribed medication, yet there is a paucity of evidence for their benefits in older patients.

Development of an emergency department end of life care audit tool: A scoping review.

Introduction: Emergency departments frequently care for patients at the end of life and should have robust processes for reviewing delivery of care. The aim of this scoping review is to examine and collate the chart audit tools available to assess the quality of end of life care of patients who die in the emergency department, or, in the subsequent hospital admission.

Methods: A scoping review of the literature using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, and the methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley was conducted.

An investigation of allied health and medical clinicians' viewpoint on prosthetic rehabilitation and cognition.

Purpose: To explore the factors that influence clinicians (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, vascular surgeons, and rehabilitation medicine physicians) when prescribing prosthetic rehabilitation. Additionally, the study aimed to gain insight into clinicians' perspectives regarding the role of patient cognition in prosthetic rehabilitation.

Materials And Methods: This research constitutes one segment of a broader action research study which was undertaken in 2022.

An International, Multidisciplinary Consensus Set of Patient-Centered Outcome Measures for Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders.

In 1990, the United States' Institute of Medicine promoted the principles of outcomes monitoring in the alcohol and other drugs treatment field to improve the evidence synthesis and quality of research. While various national outcome measures have been developed and employed, no global consensus on standard measurement has been agreed for addiction. It is thus timely to build an international consensus.

SMART Family and Friends: Feasibility and outcomes of a video-conference delivered intervention for families impacted by another's methamphetamine use.

Introduction: Families affected by another's substance use, including methamphetamine, experience harms to their mental and physical health. Yet, research has paid little attention to support and service needs of this population. This pilot study examines the feasibility and outcomes of SMART Family and Friends, a video-conference-delivered mutual-support group targeting families affected by another's methamphetamine use.

Dietary Intakes of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Impulsivity: Comparing Non-Restricted, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets.

Background: Research suggests a link between deficiencies in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and impulsivity among psychiatric populations. However, this association is less evident in non-clinical populations. As omega-3 LCPUFAs are predominantly sourced through fish consumption, non-fish dieters may be more vulnerable to higher impulsivity.

Graft-versus-leukaemia immunity is retained following treatment with post-transplant cyclophosphamide alone or combined with tocilizumab in humanised mice.

Objectives: Donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation treats leukaemia by inducing graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) immunity. However, this benefit is often mitigated by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is reduced by post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) alone or combined with tocilizumab (TOC) in humanised mice. This study established a preclinical humanised mouse model of GVL and investigated whether PTCy alone or combined with TOC impacts GVL immunity.

Comparing findings from the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model and the monozygotic twin difference cross-lagged panel model: Maladaptive parenting and offspring emotional and behavioural problems.

Background: In this study we compare results obtained when applying the monozygotic twin difference cross-lagged panel model (MZD-CLPM) and a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) to the same data. Each of these models is designed to strengthen researchers' ability to draw causal inference from cross-lagged associations. We explore differences and similarities in how each model does this, and in the results each model produces.

Health utility among people who regularly use opioids in Australia.

Introduction: Studies of health utilities among people who use opioids have mostly been based on in-treatment populations. We aim to report utility-based quality of life by participants' socio-demographic, drug and treatment characteristics, and to examine the determinants of health utility among people who use opioids regularly.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of participants who used opioids regularly, recruited across New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in 2018-2019.

Targeting 14-3-3θ-mediated TDP-43 pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia mice.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are characterized by cytoplasmic deposition of the nuclear TAR-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Although cytoplasmic re-localization of TDP-43 is a key event in the pathogenesis of ALS/FTD, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we identified a non-canonical interaction between 14-3-3θ and TDP-43, which regulates nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling.

Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children.

Background: Having a strong connection to culture and Country is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Australian Aboriginal children. The aim of the research was to evaluate the feasibility of study methods and programme implementation of a co-created afterschool cultural programme, and identify areas for improvement.

Methods: Aboriginal Relational Research Methodology and mixed methods were applied to evaluate the feasibility of the implementation of the programme and study methods using a non-randomised single-group study design.