A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare.

The concept of animal welfare is evolving due to progress in our scientific understanding of animal biology and changing societal expectations. Animal welfare science has been primarily concerned with minimizing suffering, but there is growing interest in also promoting positive experiences, grouped under the term positive animal welfare (PAW). However, there are discrepancies in the use of the term PAW.

Clinician views on selective decontamination of the digestive tract in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units: A survey.

Objective: Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) has been investigated as a strategy to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and other healthcare-associated infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving mechanical ventilation. There is some evidence to suggest that the use of SDD is associated with a reduction in healthcare-associated infection and mortality; however, the uptake of SDD in ICUs in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) remains low. To better understand the potential reasons, we designed a questionnaire to gather views from specialists in intensive care medicine, infectious diseases, and medical microbiology.

Effects of photobiomodulation combined with rehabilitation exercise on pain, physical function, and radiographic changes in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Photobiomodulation, specifically high-energy photobiomodulation therapy (H-PBMT), is gaining recognition as a promising non-invasive intervention for managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). While H-PBMT has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pain and improving physical function, most evidence to date focuses on short-term symptomatic relief. The potential for H-PBMT to offer sustained benefits and modify the underlying progression of KOA remains insufficiently explored, warranting further investigation.

Effect of Valproate Coprescription on Clozapine Pharmacokinetics in Clinical Practice.

Background: Sodium valproate has been coprescribed with clozapine for seizure prophylaxis and for augmentation in treatment-refractory schizophrenia. However, the effect of valproate on clozapine metabolism and on the incidence of clozapine-related side effects is unclear.

Methods: We compared clozapine dose and plasma clozapine and N-desmethylclozapine (norclozapine) concentrations in smokers and nonsmokers of both sexes in samples submitted for clozapine therapeutic drug monitoring, 1996-2017 in relation to valproate coprescription.

Genomic insights support the taxonomic differentiation of Orla-Jensen 1919 (Approved Lists 1980) and Andrewes and Horder 1906 (Approved Lists 1980) as individual species.

is widely used as a starter culture in the production of cheese, yoghurt and various cultured dairy products, which holds considerable significance in both research and practical applications within the food industry. Throughout history, the taxonomy of has undergone several adjustments and revisions. In 1984, based on the result of DNA-DNA hybridization, was reclassified as subsp.

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Anatomic Pathology.

Context.—: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in various fields, including anatomic pathology, where it offers the potential to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy, workflow efficiency, and research capabilities.

Objective.

Optimising Instrumented Mouthguard Data Analysis: Video Synchronisation Using a Cross-correlation Approach.

Purpose: Head acceleration events (HAEs) are a growing concern in contact sports, prompting two rugby governing bodies to mandate instrumented mouthguards (iMGs). This has resulted in an influx of data imposing financial and time constraints. This study presents two computational methods that leverage a dataset of video-coded match events: cross-correlation synchronisation aligns iMG data to a video recording, by providing playback timestamps for each HAE, enabling analysts to locate them in video footage; and post-synchronisation event matching identifies the coded match event (e.

A central role of stimulator of interferon genes' adaptor protein in defensive immune response.

Cytotoxic DNAs, methylation, histones and histones binding proteins are speculated to induce DNA sensors. Under stressed condition, the antigenic patterns, PAMPs and DAMPs, trigger the hyperactive innate response through DNA, DNA-RNA hybrids, oligonucleotides, histones and mtDNA to initiate cGAMP-STING-IFN I cascade. HSV -1&2, HIV, Varicella- Zoster virus, Polyomavirus, Cytomegalovirus, and KSHV negatively regulate the STING-MAVS-TBK-1/1KKE pathway.

Mai mana: Exploring Pacific peoples' experiences of resilience in Aotearoa.

Objectives: Using a multimethod approach, this study sought to identify the contribution of different facets of resilience to Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand's mental health and well-being and to explore the construct of resilience in the light of COVID-19 lockdowns.

Method: Study 1 ( = 88) included a Pacific community sample (67% female, 33% male; = 39 years, range = 19-80 years). Participants completed a survey measuring personal, spiritual, family and community resilience, well-being, Pacific identity, and mental distress.

Digestion of food proteins: the role of pepsin.

The nutritive value of a protein is determined not only by its amino acid composition, but also by its digestibility in the gastrointestinal tract. The interaction between proteins and pepsin in the gastric stage is the first step and plays an important role in protein hydrolysis. Moreover, it affects the amino acid release rates and the allergenicity of the proteins.

Does Self-Compassion Expressive Writing Benefit People With an Ostomy? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a self-compassion expressive writing activity could improve psychological well-being in people with an ostomy, as assessed by changes in body image distress, ostomy-specific quality of life (QOL), self-compassion, and dispositional disgust.

Design: Randomized controlled trial design was used.

Subjects And Setting: The sample comprised 175 English-speaking patients over 18 years of age with a fecal or urinary ostomy; all participants resided in Australia and New Zealand.

Sensory processing patterns and their relationships to coping and occupational engagement in mental health service users.

Introduction: Mental health service users often have sensory processing difficulties hampering their ability to cope with mental health problems and occupational engagement. However, there is little knowledge of sensory processing and its relation to these factors. Hence, this current study aims to investigate sensory processing patterns in relation to coping and occupational engagement for the target group.

Characterization of academic output (h-index) by Australian urologists according to gender and rurality.

Background: As the number of practicing female urologists in Australia continues to increase alongside the academic development of the specialty, it is essential to examine how gender and rurality impact academic performance and expectations. This study aims to assess differences in h-index related to both gender and rurality among Australian urologists.

Methods: We identified all active, practicing Australian urologists through the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) membership database.

Optimizing LiNO Conversion through a Defective Carbon Matrix as Catalytic Current Collectors for Highly Durable and Fast-Charging Li Metal Batteries.

Lithium nitrate (LiNO) stands as an effective electrolyte additive, mitigating the degradation of Li metal anodes by forming a LiN-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). However, its conversion kinetics are impeded by energy-consuming eight-electron transfer reactions. Herein, an isoreticular metal-organic framework-8-derived carbon is incorporated into the carbon cloth (RMCC) as a catalytic current collector to regulate the LiNO conversion kinetics and boost LiN generation inside the SEI.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of African Parents in New Zealand Towards the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine.

Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-documented cause of cervical cancer, leading to significant mortality that may be decreased through screening and the administration of HPV vaccination. Our understanding of New Zealand immigrants' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of the HPV vaccine is limited. Preliminary research shows that immigrants have low knowledge and negative perceptions of the HPV vaccine and that cervical cancer and HPV awareness was low among African parents.

Interaction of human gut microbiota and local immune system in progression of colorectal adenoma (MIMICA-1): a protocol for a prospective, observational cohort study.

Introduction: The current understanding of colorectal carcinogenesis is based on the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, where genetics, intestinal microbiota changes and local immunity shifts seem to play the key roles. Despite the emerging evidence of dysbiotic intestinal state and immune-cell infiltration changes in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, early and advanced adenoma as precursors of colorectal cancer, and carcinoma as the following progression, are rather less studied. The newly colon-site adapted AI-based analysis of immune infiltrates is able to predict long-term outcomes of colon carcinoma.

Emulation of the subjective experience of visual dorsal stream dysfunction: a description of three in depth case studies.

These case studies explore the subjective visual experiences of individuals with cerebral visual impairment (CVI), specifically dorsal stream dysfunction (DSD) characterized by simultanagnosia. Through three in-depth case studies, this work documents the challenges these individuals face when navigating cluttered environments. The individuals were asked to describe their visual experiences while watching videos of varying complexity, with the future aim of creating a simulation of simultanagnosia.

Land use influences the faecal glucocorticoid metabolites of multiple species across trophic levels.

Human landscape modification is amongst the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss. Measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) in wildlife is of great value to measure the impact of human activities on local biodiversity because FGM offer a non-invasive way of measuring an animal's response to changes in its environment in the form of adrenocortical activity. Here, we measure the concentration of FGM in three native Australian mammal species belonging to different trophic levels: the Tasmanian devil () and the spotted-tailed quoll (), both carnivores, and an omnivore that is primarily an arboreal folivore, the brushtail possum (), and compare the FGM concentrations across three major land uses: agricultural, plantation and National Parks.

Consuming and Thinking About Nangs: A Survey of Nitrous Oxide Use, Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Non-medical use of nitrous oxide (NO) is becoming increasingly popular globally, yet little data exists regarding NO in Aotearoa New Zealand. We aimed to explore patterns of use and harm in those who consume NO in Aotearoa, and related knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of those with and without NO experience. A convenience sample of people with NO experience ( = 466) and without ( = 510) completed an online survey about NO.

Slipping Through the Cracks? Concussion Management in Aotearoa New Zealand Secondary Schools.

Background: Concussion-related guidelines appear to be inconsistently implemented in secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. The purpose of this qualitative Participatory Action Research study was to describe key school stakeholders' perceptions of their current concussion management processes.

Methods: Seventeen focus groups, two dyad, and nine individual interviews were conducted with stakeholders (n = 95) from six secondary schools and healthcare clinics, exploring their perceptions of barriers and facilitators to concussion management.

Expression of MMP1, MMP3, and TIMP1 in intervertebral discs under simulated overload and microgravity conditions.

Objective: This study aims to investigate changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) levels in the intervertebral discs of New Zealand white rabbits under simulated overload and microgravity conditions, focusing on the expression of MMP1, MMP3, and TIMP1. The findings aim to provide a theoretical foundation for preventing and delaying lumbar disc degeneration in these environments.

Methods: Overload was simulated using an animal centrifuge, and microgravity was mimicked through tail suspension.

Auditing Cause of Death Reporting to Australia and New Zealand's Dialysis and Transplant Registry: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Aim: National data registries provide a valuable source of data for epidemiological research but may be subject to inaccuracies. Whilst studies have compared agreement between cause of death (COD) data from Australia and New Zealand's dialysis and transplant registry (ANZDATA) to other databases, no studies have manually compared agreement with electronic medical records (EMR). This study aimed to assess the agreement between COD for dialysis patients in the Western Sydney renal service according to ANZDATA and EMR.

Vitreomacular traction - a review.

Vitreomacular traction (VMT) is characterised by abnormal adhesion of the posterior cortical vitreous with the macula causing distortion of the foveal contour and associated with symptoms of reduction in visual acuity and/or metamorphopsia. This review article explores the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic and treatment options for VMT. Advances in imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) have revolutionized the understanding of the vitreoretinal interface abnormalities and helps in monitoring the disease progression.