Determinants of medication adherence in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Approximately half of the patients who have had a prior hospital admission for CHD will have a recurrent coronary event, with the majority of these occurring within 12 months. Despite well-established evidence-based therapies, medication non-adherence is highly prevalent and reasons for medication non-adherence are poorly understood.

Relationship between left ventricular shape and cardiovascular risk factors: comparison between the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and UK Biobank.

Background: Statistical shape atlases have been used in large-cohort studies to investigate relationships between heart shape and risk factors. The generalisability of these relationships between cohorts is unknown. The aims of this study were to compare left ventricular (LV) shapes in patients with differing cardiovascular risk factor profiles from two cohorts and to investigate whether LV shape scores generated with respect to a reference cohort can be directly used to study shape differences in another cohort.

Prescription opioid dispensing rates in the 12-months post-discharge after acute spinal cord injury: An observational study.

Objectives: To determine rates of opioid and concomitant antidepressant, anticonvulsant and benzodiazepine dispensing in the post-discharge period, after acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Single-center prospective cohort study with 12-month linked pharmaceutical data.

Setting: Community pharmaceutical dispensing.

Gamified Web-Delivered Attentional Bias Modification Training for Adults With Chronic Pain: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Attentional bias to pain-related information has been implicated in pain chronicity. To date, research investigating attentional bias modification training (ABMT) procedures in people with chronic pain has found variable success, perhaps because training paradigms are typically repetitive and monotonous, which could negatively affect engagement and adherence. Increasing engagement through the gamification (ie, the use of game elements) of ABMT may provide the opportunity to overcome some of these barriers.

Prolactin-mediates a lactation-induced suppression of arcuate kisspeptin neuronal activity necessary for lactational infertility in mice.

The specific role that prolactin plays in lactational infertility, as distinct from other suckling or metabolic cues, remains unresolved. Here, deletion of the prolactin receptor (Prlr) from forebrain neurons or arcuate kisspeptin neurons resulted in failure to maintain normal lactation-induced suppression of estrous cycles. Kisspeptin immunoreactivity and pulsatile LH secretion were increased in these mice, even in the presence of ongoing suckling stimulation and lactation.

Kinetics During the Tuck Jump Assessment and Biomechanical Deficits in Female Athletes 12 Months After ACLR Surgery.

Background: Residual interlimb deficits after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can lead to functional maladaptation and increase the risk of reinjury. The tuck jump assessment (TJA) may offer a more effective evaluation of ACLR status as compared with traditional tasks owing to increased risk of altered landing mechanics, asymmetrical landing, and increased knee valgus attributed to the cyclical nature of the task. However, it remains unclear whether altered TJA kinetics resolve over time or persist through return-to-play phases of rehabilitation.

Impact of the Acceptor Group on the Properties of Triphenylamine-Donor-Acceptor Dyes: An Experimental and Computational Study.

Three triphenylamine-Indane donor-acceptor dyes with different functional groups on the acceptor were studied to investigate how substitution would affect the optical properties. The dyes studied were IndCN, containing two malononitrile groups; InO, with two ketone groups; and InOCN, which features mixed functional groups. A combination of Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed for characterization.

Transition State Analogs of Human DNPH1 Reveal Two Electrophile Migration Mechanisms.

DNPH1 is responsible for eliminating the epigenetically modified nucleotide, 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (hmdUMP), preventing formation of hmdUTP, a mutation-inducing nucleotide. Loss of DNPH1 activity sensitizes PARP inhibition-resistant BRCA-deficient cancers by causing incorporation of hmdUTP into DNA. Hydrolysis of hmdUMP by DNPH1 proceeds through a covalent intermediate between Glu104 and 2-deoxyribose 5-phosphate, followed by hydrolysis, a reaction cycle with two transition states.

Resonance-Induced Therapeutic Technique for Skin Cancer Cells.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the viability of a hypothesis for selective targeting of skin cancer cells by exploiting the spectral gap with healthy cells using analytical and numerical simulation.

Methods: The spectral gap was first identified using a viscoelastic dynamic model, with the physical and mechanical properties of healthy and cancerous skin cells deduced from previous experimental studies conducted on cell lines. The outcome of the analytical simulation was verified numerically using modal and harmonic analysis.

Efficacy and safety of olive leaf extract (Olea europaea L.) for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (ESOLED): A pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Maintaining optimum glycaemic control is essential to reducing comorbidity and mortality in diabetes. However, research indicates that <50 % of patients achieve their target HbA1c ranges. Laboratory studies suggest that olive leaf extract (OLE) may improve glycaemic control, however clinical studies in persons with diabetes are lacking.

Mangrove-based carbon market projects: What stakeholders need to address during pre-feasibility assessment.

Mangrove-based carbon market projects (MbCMP) aim to conserve, protect and restore mangrove habitats in order to generate high quality blue carbon credits via a crediting program, as a contribution to climate change mitigation/adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services provision and local socio-economic development. The blue carbon credits generated are transferable, verifiable and sold through carbon markets to earn additional income for governments and local communities. The main aim of the paper is to provide important considerations for pre-field planning, that is, how challenges associated with fieldwork, project implementation, and monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) can be addressed with proper pre-field planning.

Determination of the carrier temperature in weakly confined semiconductor nanocrystals using time-resolved optical spectroscopy.

Many applications of nanocrystals rely on their use in light detection and emission. In recent years, nanocrystals with more relaxed carrier confinement, including so-called 'bulk' and 2D implementations, have made their stake. In such systems, the charge carriers generated after (photo-)excitation are spread over a semi-continuous density of states, behaviour controlled by the carrier temperature .

The influence of continuous improvement and clinical practice on emergency department (ED) operational performance.

Purpose: The study tests the relationships between continuous improvement (CI) and clinical practices (CP) with perceived operational performance in Australian and New Zealand (NZ) emergency departments.

Design/methodology/approach: A survey instrument was designed to collect data from Australian and NZ Emergency Department physicians to test a model developed from the literature, the continuous improvement and clinical practice (CICP) model. Hypotheses were developed and tested using bivariate correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Micronutrient status and risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Indonesian tuberculosis case contacts.

Background: Certain micronutrient levels have been associated with the risk of developing TB disease. We explored the possible association of selected at-risk micronutrient levels with the development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection.

Long-term outcomes of patients who received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) following in-hospital cardiac arrest: Analysis of EXCEL registry data.

Objective: To describe the six-month functional outcomes of patients who received extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) following in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in Australia.

Design: Secondary analysis of EXCEL registry data.

Setting: EXCEL is a high-quality, prospective, binational registry including adult patients who receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in Australia and New Zealand.

Haemodynamic management of septic shock.

Septic shock is a significant challenge in the management of patients with burns and traumatic injuries when complicated by infection, necessitating prompt and effective haemodynamic support. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current strategies for vasopressor and fluid management in septic shock, with the aim to optimize patient outcomes. With regard to vasopressor management, we elaborate on the pharmacologic profiles and clinical applications of catecholamines, vasopressin derivatives, angiotensin II, and other vasoactive agents.

Effectiveness of combined physical exercise and cognitive training in older adults with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Falls among cognitively impaired older adults are a global concern. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of combining physical exercise and cognitive training to improve balance among older adults. A systematic search of databases, including Embase, Medline-OVID, CINAHL-EBSCOhost, and Central-Cochrane Library, was conducted from March 9 to April 6, 2023.

Can a combination of nanofat and freeze-dried human amniotic membrane enhance full-thickness wound healing? An animal study using rabbit models.

Previous studies have explored nanofat stimulating tissue regeneration and maturation, promoting remodeling through its rich content of growth factors and stem cells; however, comprehensive data on its use in full-thickness wounds remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of combining nanofat with freeze-dried human amniotic membrane (FDHAM) for treating full-thickness wounds in a rabbit model. An animal experimental study using a post-test control group design was conducted.

My plan for a good life, right to the end: An accessible approach to advance care planning.

Background: People with intellectual disabilities have traditionally been excluded from Advance Care (AC) planning. This study aimed to improve access to and the quality of AC planning for this community.

Method: A Participatory Action Research study was led, and participated in, by co-researchers with intellectual disabilities and disability service managers.

An Australian online training and support program for caregivers of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Families linking with families.

Background: Australia has limited supports to help families where Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) impacts children and young people. National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Australia (NOFASD), in conjunction with the University of Otago, New Zealand, piloted and established a 7-week online program to assist caregivers to develop strategies and supports to help their families live well in a disabling society.

Method: The online program, Families Linking with Families (FLWF), was delivered to 88 caregivers.

Are we disadvantaging smokers by excluding them from kidney transplantation? A single-centre experience and survey of kidney transplantation units.

Background: Smoking has been shown to have detrimental effects on KT outcomes and survival. Most units and guidelines advocate for the cessation of smoking prior to a kidney transplant and consider it a general contraindication to listing. Smoking prevalence is higher in disadvantaged groups.

Patient-driven personal importation in the face of cost barriers to care: can we do better?

Australia has a robust public health system that helps to make medicines affordable. However, evidence shows that a significant proportion of Australians still cannot afford medicines prescribed to them and that some patients import medicines from abroad as a result. The strongest predictor of whether patients import medicines is whether they have discussed it with their doctor.

Precision Psychobiotics for Gut-Brain Axis Health: Advancing the Discovery Pipelines to Deliver Mechanistic Pathways and Proven Health Efficacy.

Advancing microbiome-gut-brain axis science requires systematic, rational and translational approaches to bridge the critical knowledge gaps currently preventing full exploitation of the gut microbiome as a tractable therapeutic target for gastrointestinal, mental and brain health. Current research is still marked by many open questions that undermine widespread application to humans. For example, the lack of mechanistic understanding of probiotic effects means it remains unclear why even apparently closely related strains exhibit different effects in vivo.

Bone and Nerve Response to Sciatic Compression Neuropathy in a Rabbit Model.

Compression neuropathy is a prevalent medical condition, including common types such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and many others. While the neurological consequences are well understood, the effects on bone properties and the potential downstream impact on fracture risk remain less clear. This study aimed to assess the influence of compressive neuropathy on bone properties using a rabbit model of sciatic nerve compression.