Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol.

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms, transmitted via mosquito bites. Significant global efforts have led to the interruption of LF transmission, with eight of the 16 previously endemic Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) validated by WHO as having eliminated the disease as a public health problem. Post-validation surveillance (PVS) is recommended to verify the absence of a resurgence in transmission; however, there are no guidelines on how to implement such surveillance effectively.

Experiences and Perspectives of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccinations in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations in Australia: A Qualitative Study.

Qualitative research surrounding the impacts of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy has been extensively studied in the European context; however, limited research has been conducted within communities in the Australian context. This research paper highlights the issues experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) members during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination rollout. The purpose of this study is to strengthen our understanding of the challenges experienced by CALD communities and enable healthcare policies to be developed and implemented to prevent these communities from being disadvantaged in a healthcare crisis.

Pathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with particular focus on vascular endothelium and epithelial injury and their therapeutic potential.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains a challenging disease with no drugs available to change the trajectory. It is a condition associated with excessive and highly progressive scarring of the lungs with remodelling and extracellular matrix deposition. It is a highly "destructive" disease of the lungs.

A Unique Case of Unprovoked Pulmonary Venous Thrombosis in a Postpartum Female Following COVID-19 Infection.

SARS-CoV-2 can induce a hypercoagulable state, occasionally resulting in pulmonary venous thrombosis (PVT) due to inflammation and endothelial injury. Documented cases of PVT with active COVID-19 and post-COVID are rare. We report a 40-year-old postpartum female with unprovoked PVT following a recent nonhospitalized COVID-19 infection.

Abdominal Ultrasonography Used for Abdominal Pain in the Rural Outpatient Setting of South Texas: Impact on Patient Outcomes.

Introduction Abdominal ultrasonography is a key diagnostic tool used in complaints of abdominal pain. The rationale for this study is to examine abdominal ultrasonography's impact on the conclusion of care of abdominal pain in a predominantly Hispanic/Latino patient population. Materials and methods A chart review of 350 patients with a new diagnosis of abdominal pain from a rural family practice clinic in Texas was performed.

The Correlation Between International Medical Graduates' Self-Study Habits and Their United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) Scores.

Introduction: To secure a residency in the United States, medical students must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams. This study examines the correlation between international medical graduates' (IMGs) self-study habits and their USMLE scores.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with 51 anonymous third- and fourth-year IMGs from Saint James Medical School, IL, United States.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Māori Patients Attending Diabetes Annual Review.

Māori, the indigenous population of New Zealand, represent 17.1% of the country's population (Statistics New Zealand 2021) and are over-represented in all negative indices. In particular, Māori are underprivileged in terms of socioeconomics and health due to the residual effects of colonization.

Anti-filarial antibodies are sensitive indicators of lymphatic filariasis transmission and enable identification of high-risk populations and hotspots.

Objectives: Circulating filarial antigen (Ag) is used by elimination programs to monitor lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission; however, antifilarial antibodies (Ab) may be more sensitive than Ag for detecting LF. Our objectives were to describe Ab seroprevalence, identify risk factors for Ab seropositivity, investigate age-specific associations between Ag and Ab, and evaluate geographic clustering of seropositivity.

Methods: Community-based serosurveys of participants aged ≥5 years were conducted in 35 primary sampling units (PSUs).

Promoting Heart Health: Raising Screening Awareness at a Brisbane Medical Center.

Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a largely preventable, chronic, and progressive medical condition. There appears to be a general lack of knowledge about CVD prevention in the community. This pilot study was carried out to investigate the level of knowledge of CVD prevention among patients visiting a general practitioner (GP) practice in Brisbane.

Multi-centre Study of Vaping Effects on COVID-19 Presentations in Western Sydney Australia.

Unlabelled: Aim This preliminary pilot study aimed to explore a correlation between COVID-19 presentation with e-cigarette vapers in the Western Sydney region of Australia.

Method: Extracted data from questionnaires completed by 100 Australians residing in the Western Sydney region who were infected with COVID-19 during the pandemic from March 2020 to March 2022 were analyzed. Data collected included patient age, biological gender, years of vaping, if vaping began prior to COVID-19, weekly vaping frequency, the year that COVID-19 was contracted, and the category of COVID-19 symptoms.

Ongoing transmission of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug mass drug administration.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a significant global issue. To eliminate LF as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). In certain scenarios, including when elimination targets have not been met with two-drug MDA, triple-drug MDA (using ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) is recommended.

Treatment Delays for Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Rural Arkansas Emergency Department: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Objective The goal of this study is to evaluate treatment times regarding acute ischemic stroke and identify barriers to implementing stroke care at the Ouachita County Medical Center Emergency Department. Methods A retrospective review of medical records was conducted of patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke to the Ouachita County Medical Center Emergency Department between 2020 and 2023 and received intravenous (IV) r-tPA. The primary focus of this study was to analyze door-to-needle time with IV r-tPA.

Associations between fasting glucose rate-of-change and the missense variant, rs373863828, in an adult Samoan cohort.

Background: The A allele of rs373863828 in CREB3 regulatory factor is associated with high Body Mass Index, but lower odds of type 2 diabetes. These associations have been replicated elsewhere, but to date all studies have been cross-sectional. Our aims were (1) to describe the development of type 2 diabetes and change in fasting glucose between 2010 and 2018 among a longitudinal cohort of adult Samoans without type 2 diabetes or who were not using diabetes medications at baseline, and (2) to examine associations between fasting glucose rate-of-change (mmol/L per year) and the A allele of rs373863828.

Perceptions of Mental Health Professionals on Nutritional Psychiatry as an Adjunct Treatment in Mainstream Psychiatric Settings in New South Wales, Australia.

Background Nutritional psychiatry refers to the practice of using food, or nutrition, as alternative or complementary treatment for mental health disorders. It is a growing area of research that has shown links between the biological processes in the gut and how the food we consume can impact cognitive function, which then can impact our mood and behaviour. However, there is a lack of understanding on the knowledge and education of nutritional psychiatry in mental health clinicians, and further, how nutritional psychiatry, if at all, is practised in psychiatric clinical settings.

Platelet Activating Factor Receptor and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression Increases in the Small Airway Epithelium and Parenchyma of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Implications for Microbial Pathogenesis.

: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible lung fibrotic disorder of unknown cause. It has been reported that bacterial and viral co-infections exacerbate disease pathogenesis. These pathogens use adhesion molecules such as platelet activating factor receptor (PAFR) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to gain cellular entry, causing infections.

The Gail Model and Its Use in Preventive Screening: A Comparison of the Corbelli Study.

Background This study aims to determine the usage of the Gail model in screening for breast cancer during physical examinations of women by sampling primary care physicians in two regions of Texas - Hidalgo County and Johnson County. A Gail score of 1.66% or higher indicates increased breast cancer risk.

Comparing Intramedullary Nails and Locking Plates in Displaced Proximal Humerus Fracture Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aims to provide an updated review comparing the complication rates and clinical outcomes of intramedullary nails and locking plates (LPs) in displaced proximal humerus fracture (PHF) management. We performed a systematic review of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials Registry, EMBASE, and PubMed. Studies with level III evidence or higher comparing intramedullary nails and LPs used for internal fixation of displaced PHFs were included.

Evaluation of the effect of palatoplasty on the quality of life and speech outcomes in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome.

Background: Children diagnosed with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) suffer from various disabilities. Palatal abnormalities, as well as speech and language impairment, adversely affect a child's quality of life (QoL) and are some of the most distressing aspects for the parents of these children.

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the effect of palatoplasty on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and speech outcomes in children with VCFS.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students' Mental Health: A Literature Review.

This review aims to focus on the effects of COVID-19 on university students' mental health and deepen our understanding of it. The conclusions are based on the review of 32 studies conducted during the pandemic. This review confirms that university students were at high risk for mental health disorders, heightened stress, and increased sleep comorbidities both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic.

The impact of age and parity on the experience of relief and regret in women who have undergone hysterectomy for benign disease: A cross sectional survey.

Objective: To investigate the impact of age and parity on the experience on relief and regret following elective hysterectomy for benign disease, and to explore the factors that impact relief and regret.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional survey of a cohort.

Setting: Single-centre tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia.